Andy LaVerne - Liquid Silver (1984)

A Tribute to Bill Evans
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The CD under review here was recorded 30 October - 3 November 1984 for DMP. In 1984 LaVerne received an NAE grant to organize a Carnegie Hall tribute to his mentor Bill Evans. This CD is a studio version of that concert. The musicians are LaVerne (piano), Eddie Gomez (bass), Peter Erskine (drums), John Abercrombie (guitar), and the Essex String Quartet. All in all, the music on this CD is a nice tribute to Bill Evans, except the last track. The music is not for everyone as it often seems more like an intellectual exercise rather than an emotional outlet. The music does not swing, especial the string quartet tracks. If you are looking for Andy LaVerne jazz, look elsewhere. If you are looking for "chamber jazz" or a cross between classical music and jazz, this may be for you. ~ Extract by D.R.L., Amazon.com.

DMP Records, CD-449, 1984
Recorded 30th-31st October At A&R Studios and
3rd November At Clinton Recording Studio, 1984

Musicians:
Andy LaVerne - Piano
John Abercrombie - Guitar (#2,3,7,8)
Eddie Gomez - Bass (#1,3,4,6-8)
Peter Erskine - Drums (#1,3,4,6-8)

The Essex Quartet (#5,9):
Patricia Smith - Cello
Amy Dulsky - Viola
Sebu Sirinian - Violin [I]
Jennifer Cowles - Violin [II]

Tracks:
1. IRS [It's Really Something] {Andy LaVerne} (7:18)
2. Liquid Silver {Andy LaVerne} (6:00)
3. One Page Waltz {John Abercrombie} (5:19)
4. Laurie {Bill Evans} (9:02)
5. Letter To Evan {Bill Evans} (7:05)
6. How My Heart Sings {Earl Zindars} (5:37)
7. Turn Out The Stars {Bill Evans} (6:33)
8. Alpha Blue {Andy LaVerne} (6:20)
9. King's House One {Andy LaVerne} (17:18)

Total Time: 70:32

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes - Andy LaVerne
Producer, Engineer - Tom Jung
Engineer [Assistant] - Jean Jung, Rebecca Everett
Editing - Greg Squires
Design - Jim Henderson
Illustration - Lee Christiansen
Photography - Dave Horner, Richard Laird