Bill Evans Trio: Haunted Heart – The Legendary Riverside Studio Recordings (3CD, Craft Recordings)
There’s something magical about 1959. In rock music we all have years we point to—specific moments when the stars aligned and classic albums seemed to fall from the sky. But in jazz, 1959 is the year. A laser beam of creativity. Mingus Ah Um, Kind of Blue, Time Out, Giant Steps, and Portrait in Jazz—era-defining masterpieces that continue to ripple through music even now.
And that brings me to this beautiful new release from Craft Recordings: Bill Evans Trio – Haunted Heart: The Legendary Riverside Studio Recordings. This compact 3CD box set pulls together material from two of Bill Evans’ early landmarks: Portrait in Jazz (1960) and Explorations (1961), supported by 17 previously unreleased tracks and many alternate versions that give you a remarkable window into the trio’s creative process.
Craft Recordings have a real knack for these historical reissues, and this is another example of them at their best. The packaging is sturdy, elegant, and respectful—proper hard card that feels built to last. Inside you’ll find:
A beautifully designed triple-fold digi-sleeve featuring the original cover art from both albums
A fold-out insert recreating the original Riverside rear sleeves
A thoughtful essay by John Densmore (The Doors’ drummer) describing how Bill Evans influenced his playing
A substantial booklet with detailed liner notes, session insights, and evocative photographs of Evans at the piano—absolutely absorbed in his world
A Journey Into Jazz… From Rock Music
Like many from my generation, my journey into jazz didn’t begin with jazz at all. It began with rock. In my case the spark was Come Taste the Band by Deep Purple. Tommy Bolin led me to Billy Cobham’s Spectrum, which led me to Miles Davis, which of course led me to Kind of Blue, and suddenly this great river of jazz opened up before me.
Bill Evans was a natural stop on that journey. First through Undercurrent with guitarist Jim Hall, and then gradually back toward these seminal albums from the Riverside era.
What makes this set so special is that it captures Evans, Scott LaFaro (bass) and Paul Motian (drums) at the moment their musical telepathy was becoming fully realised. Their interplay wasn’t about flashy solos—it was emotional conversation, improvisation with purpose, gentle inventiveness built on tone, phrasing, and musicality rather than pyrotechnics.
Jazz of this era was often recorded in multiple takes, and because the trio were improvisers, every pass is different—sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically. The alternate takes here are not filler; they’re insight. You feel the tension, the looseness, the shifting moods in the room. You hear how ideas germinate and evolve.
And importantly, this isn’t the “difficult” or frenetic side of jazz that some listeners find challenging. This is melodic, lyrical, thoughtful. It’s perfect for unwinding after a stressful day, but it’s also deeply rewarding if you want to sit in the sweet spot and really listen.
Bill Evans’ tone, the space he leaves, the way he phrases… it’s like he’s pulling the music out of the air rather than striking keys. Add LaFaro’s agile bass and Motian’s painterly drumming, and you get jazz that is both accessible and profound.
No wonder someone like John Densmore cites Evans as an influence—jazz of this quality seeped into rock far more than some might realise.
A Beautifully Curated Set
The booklet, prepared by Nick Phillips in 2025, is superb—rich, detailed, and perfect for long-time Bill Evans fans or newcomers wanting to understand the historical context. The artwork, typography, and full reproduction of the original LP backs give the package a timeless feel.
If you are new to jazz, this set is a wonderful place to start. If you’re already deep into this era, this is an essential addition—a treasure trove of unreleased material and a beautifully produced tribute to one of the most influential trios in jazz history.
This is Craft Recordings doing what they do best.
Highly recommended.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
