Description

Recorded in New York City over the course of three sessions in May and June of 1962, Moon Beams is the first studio recording by the Bill Evans Trio following the sudden accidental death of bassist Scott LaFaro the year before. Chuck Israels replaces LaFaro, playing more of an accompanists role than was Scotts style, and Paul Motian resumes his drumming duties with the trio. This lineup produced material for two albums that would be amongst Evanss most popular. Moonbeams includes ballads from the 62 sessions, which also yielded the more upbeat How My Heart Sings that same year. Moonbeams captures some of Evanss most introspective playing, his sense of loss evident but soothed by Israelss empathetic performances. Evans also expresses his lyricism underlaid with rhythmic firmness, even in the extraordinarily slow Love in Vain.