This was the first Evans/LaFaro/Motian trio album that I bought and it was a wise purchase. Almost every song on Explorations is outstanding. I wanted to buy something from this trio because I know that their influence on modern jazz trios is immeasureable.

The great thing about this album is that it actually features an "upbeat" Evans. Most of his work is know as introspective, but when Evans wanted to play at fast, upbeat tempos, he could very well. The Miles Davis tune "Nardis" is beautiful because Evans had a knack for playing chords that had a deep and rich tone. Lyrical and contemplative throughout, Explorations has a mix of somber and swinging solos.

I wish the Bill Evans Trio would have made just a blues standards album. His work with Miles(who loved the blues) and Coltrane charged forward a little harder.

In Explorations Evans is at his most gorgeous, lyric, and thoughtful. As another reviewer said, "Nardis" and "Israel" are my favorites, with wonderful melodic lines and enchanting improv, and to my mind are unmatched in his catalogue. Explorations is likely not only my favorite jazz album, but favorite album in any genre. Much has been written about the intricate interplay of the trio, and it's all true, especially concerning LaFaro's basswork; but Motion's brushwork is great as well, interacting with the others with intricacy and almost melody-like flourish. It's a sad tragedy that LaFaro died soon after this recording, for one can only wonder how great he'd be today.

Sunday at the Village Vanguard is not the first Bill Evans album you should buy because its a bit too expressive or experimental to listen. This is far more easier on the ears and memorable. My drive to work is smooth thanks to this gifted artists' composition. I plan to collect his other albums in the near future.
If your a fan of McCoy Tyner's Night Ballads or Oscar Peterson's Timeless then I guarantee this should be a fine addition.
I would like to thank all working at Amazon for helping us newbies listen to jazz tracks before making a purchase and exploring similar items in your selection menus. Thank You!

This review is a tribute, because sometimes that's necessary, one owes it. Feeling depressed? Lonely? Lost? Play this CD over and over, and it will take you to a place, where I'm not sure, but like a center within, I know this sounds corny, but to feel this is completely different, like some kind of eternal safety, the kind of stuff mystics might speak of, but this music is no mere theorizing, but an actual path you can get on, or enter so to speak, it's the antithesis of the vapidity of so much modern media and TV, he's taking you by the hand to your higher plane, and making sure you get a good seat there, that you can rest there. This is what it feels like to listen to this music, great art as friendship, the untying of knots, so it's best just to say : WOW! and thanks too...

Of the early Evans albums (through Waltz for Debbie), this is by far the most quiet and introspective. While the definitive Evans trio was playful and upbeat on Portrait, they went to the other extreme here. Frankly, I love upbeat music, but I find that Evans' subdued works stand up better to repeated listening. It was here that Evans really mastered the power of empty spaces that he used so well at the Village Vanguard. This is the mark of a matured musician, one who is not afraid to leave some notes unplayed. As a happy side effect, this music also sits well in the background when other things are going on, but stopping there would be a real waste. Let it draw you in and you will be rewarded.