"Bill Evans: Symbiosis (that second movement tho...lawd)"
I didn't even know Bill Evans had recorded an album with a full orchestra before this week. I'm pretty sure the second movement here is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard in my entire life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uISdbsRTO3U
2. "RE: You know I'm a big fan." In response to Reply # 0
Symbiosis is kind of a shame. Because it was originally released on the MPS label, it has gone in and out of print for years, so a lot of fans don't even know about it.
The whole thing has a very "world within a world" feel — very surreal and unique music. Claus Ogerman was truly onto something else with those themes. But yes, side two of the album is absolutely gorgeous and gives me goosebumps every single time.
The other orchestral(-ish — there's no strings, but full woodwind section) album Bill did was on Columbia called Living Time with George Russell at the helm. It's a lot more harsh than Symbiosis and some people consider it Bill's "free" album. It's worth hearing.
``i know you are fake. . . 'cause man, i'm the same.``
>The whole thing has a very "world within a world" feel — very >surreal and unique music. Claus Ogerman was truly onto >something else with those themes. But yes, side two of the >album is absolutely gorgeous and gives me goosebumps every >single time.
I'm also pretty sure that the second movement influenced a composition by Yoko Kanno for an anime I watch called Wolf's Rain, I can't look it up right now because I'm in between classes but I'll be back later when I find out what track it is from the soundtrack, specifically the very beginning of the second movement
"You can take an African out of Africa, but you can't take Africa out of the African" Afro-Americana/Afro-Caribbana/Afro-Latino unite. We are ALL Black!
i've listened to a good number of bill evans recordings (sunday at the village vanguard is my fav) but never heard of this album. will check it out ASAP
5. "Yeah Evans has SO MANY dope albums" In response to Reply # 4 Thu Jan-30-14 09:51 AM by Kosa12
like SO MANY. I have heard a fuckton, but recently in the past month or so my curiosity to hear more has come back, so I'm peeping stuff every other day or so. Sunday At The Village Vanguard is my favorite album by him and one of the best albums of all time IMO. Yes I love the trio that followed, but the original Bill Evans trio was just perfection. seriously. Waltz for Debby/At The Village Vanguard are just unbelievably good.....
7. "RE: Bill Evans: Symbiosis (that second movement tho...lawd)" In response to Reply # 0
This is a new one for me, thanks for the post. Will definitely check it out.
If anyone hasn't checked out that Top of the Gate set released last year, I know it's on Rdio and probably on Spotify - mandatory Evans listening, for sure.
Printer-friendly copy 
Email this topic to a friend
The Lesson
