The Secret Sessions (1966)

About this title: During an 18-year period, fan Mike Harris went to the Village Vanguard whenever pianist Bill Evans appeared and privately taped his performances. More than a decade after Evans' death, Harris made all the proper legal arrangements and producer Orrin Keepnews released music from 26 different occasions on this eight-CD box set, 104 selections in all. With the exception of the first date (and to a lesser extent the last one), the recording quality is surprisingly good, making this a real bonanza for Bill Evans' other fans. The pianist is joined by bassist Eddie Gomez on all of the numbers ... read more

Tracks:

1. Very Early [Evans]
2. 'Round Midnight [Monk/Williams/Hanig]
3. One for Helen [Evans]
4. Blue in Green [Davis/Evans]
5. Turn Out the Stars [Evans]
6. Waltz for Debby [Evans/Lees]
7. Time Remembered [Evans]
8. Autumn Leaves [Prevert/Kosma/Merce]
9. I Should Care [Stordahl/Weston/Cah]
10. Elsa [Zindars]
11. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) [Bricusse/Newley]
12. My Foolish Heart [Washington/Young]
13. In Your Own Sweet Way/Five (Theme) [Evans]
14. Gloria's Step [LaFaro]
15. Nardis [Davis]
16. Someday My Prince Will Come [Morey/Churchill]
17. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) [Bricusse/Newley]
18. Come Rain or Come Shine [Mercer/Arlen]
19. If You Could See Me Now [Dameron/Sigman]
20. Spring Is Here [Rodgers/Hart]
21. Re: Person I Knew [Evans]
22. A Sleepin' Bee [Capote/Arlen]
23. Emily [Mandel/Mercer]
24. Alfie [Bacharach/David]
25. Walkin' Up [Evans]
26. You're Gonna Hear from Me [Previn/Previn]
27. Some Other Time [Comden/Green/Bernst]
28. I'll Remember April [DePaul/Johnston/Ray]
29. Alice in Wonderland [Fain/Hilliard]
30. I Love You [Porter]
31. Very Early [Evans]
32. Time Remembered [Evans]
33. 'Round Midnight [Monk/Williams/Hanig]
34. Stella by Starlight [Washington/Young]
35. Turn Out the Stars [Evans]
36. My Man's Gone Now [Heyward/Gershwin/Ge]
37. In a Sentimental Mood [Ellington/Kurtz/Mil]
38. When I Fall in Love [Heyman/Young]
39. Nardis [Davis]
40. Come Rain or Come Shine [Mercer/Arlen]
41. Gloria's Step [LaFaro]
42. 'Round Midnight [Monk/Williams/Hanig]
43. Blue in Green [Davis/Evans]
44. Waltz for Debby [Evans/Lees]
45. Detour Ahead [Carter/Ellis/Freigo]
46. On Green Dolphin Street [Washington/Kaper]
47. My Foolish Heart [Washington/Young]
48. If You Could See Me Now [Dameron/Sigman]
49. Elsa [Zindars]
50. How Deep Is the Ocean? [Berlin]
51. Polka Dots and Moonbeams [Burke/VanHeusen]
52. I'm Getting Sentimental over You [Washington/Bassman]
53. I Should Care [Stordahl/Weston/Cah]
54. Star Eyes [Raye/DePaul]
55. Peri's Scope [Evans]
56. Haunted Heart [Dietz/Schwartz]
57. Airegin [Rollins]
58. Little Lulu [Kaye/Lippman/Wise]
59. Five (Theme) [Evans]
60. Turn Out the Stars [Evans]
61. Nardis [Davis]
62. California, Here I Come [DeSylva/Jolson/Meye]
63. Very Early [Evans]
64. Easy Living [Robin/Rainger]
65. Wonder Why [Brodszky/Cahn]
66. Time Remembered [Evans]
67. You and the Night and the Music [Dietz/Schwartz]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.