RIVERSIDE JAZZ LP:BILL EVANS:"EXPLORATIONS" W/SCOTT LA FARO & PAUL MOTIAN

$

222

This is a very nice copy of this scarce RIVERSIDE album, BILL EVANS: "EXPLORATIONS", featuring the legendary and under-recorded SCOTT LaFARO, BASS, and PAUL MOTIAN, DRUMS. As BILL EVANS enthusiasts know, LaFaro was with Evans trio for a short time, did a few recordings, and was tragically killed in an automobile accident at age 25. His death came just ten days after recording two live albums with the Bill Evans Trio, "Sunday at the Village Vanguard" and "Waltz for Debby", albums considered among the finest live recordings in Jazz History.

LaFaro's death took an enormous emotional toll on Bill Evans, who was, according to drummer Paul Motian, "numb with grief," "in a state of shock," and "like a ghost" after LaFaro's death. Evans, according to Motian, would play "I Loves You Porgy", a song with which he and LaFaro became synonymous, almost obsessively, but always as a solo piece. Evans also went on hiatus after LaFaro's death for a period of several months. Many believe that Evans never fully recovered from the loss, as well as that it contributed to his pattern of herion usage, an addiction that would later kill him. Many people still believe this was, without doubt, BILL EVANS finest trio of them all.  This is quintessential 60s Jazz Trio at its best. Regarding RIVERSIDE RECORDS: As all Jazz enthusiasts know, the performances are legendary, and the RIVERSIDE sound, along with BLUE NOTE, is stunning: these are some of the finest sounding Jazz recordings ever!  
This LP was released in the early 1960s, and it is the FIRST PRESSING. It features the well known Blue and Silver label, DOUBLE SIDED DEEP GROOVE.  It features the 235 W. 46th Street address on the jacket, and BILL GRAUER PRODUCTIONS, New York City on the labels. This LP is in really lovely condition, and Im conservatively rating it VG+. There are a few light, non-feelable marks, thats it. Nothing major, nothing feelable. Very nice condition. The Frame Style Jacket is in VG/VG- condition. Im adding the minus only because of seam splits. Overall the cover looks really nice, and once the seams are repaired, this cover will certainly be beautiful. The graphics and photos are sharp and clear. There is light overall shelf wear, and again, with splits on both top and bottom seams, as well as the spine. The seams are not completely split, but the splits are around 4 to 5 inches at least. These are all easily repairable as any experienced collector knows, but Im leaving them alone, for the new owner to repair as he or she sees fit. Overall, the jacket is still very presentable.  The labels are clean, with a few faint spindle marks. The LP itself is the nice thick vinyl associated with these early to mid 60s pressings, and the RIVERSIDE sound is amazing, engineered by JACK MATTHEWS. The LP plays and sounds great! I purchased this LP many years ago and have enjoyed listening to some of the most inspired playing of The Bill Evans Trio Ive ever heard!
I am a Jazz Pianist and Recording Artist, and have been collecting Rare Jazz LPs for many years. This is one from my personal collection. I assure you, all the LPs I will be offering here have been meticulously taken care of, and only played rarely, on a Sota Sapphire Turntable, with a Grado Reference Cartridge. They have been kept inside a temperature controlled room in my home, in plastic dust jackets. In other words, you can bid in confidence, knowing these LPs come from someone who has loved them and babied them. I reluctantly am beginning to sell some of my LPs, and hope they go to someone who will love them as I have. 
All LPs will be carefully packed in proper LP boxes, well protected, and sent USPS PRIORITY MAIL for US buyers. For overseas buyers, I have been using the EBAY GLOBAL SHIPPING CENTER and everyone has been happy.  The LPs are again, packed carefully and properly, and shipped to the EBAY GLOBAL SHIPPING CENTER, and then they are shipped on to the buyer. EBAY takes full responsibility for their delivery. Shipping costs are always based on your location. I do not add "handling" fees, costs will be exactly as I am charged by the shipper of choice. Thank You for looking, and Good Luck!