Other than four piano solos from April 4, 1962, this set was pianist
Bill Evans' first recordings after a hiatus caused by bassist
Scott LaFaro's tragic death in a car accident. The first of two meetings on record in a duo format with guitarist
Jim Hall, the collaborations are often exquisite. Both
Evans and
Hall had introspective and harmonically advanced styles along with roots in hard-swinging bebop. There is more variety than expected on the fine set with some cookers, ballads, waltzes, and even some hints at classical music. Recommended. [Some reissues include four bonus tracks, including two alternate takes and previously unheard versions of "Stairway to the Stars" and "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You."]