Paris Blues is an album of duets by pianist Gil Evans and saxophonist Steve Lacy, recorded in Paris in 1987 and released on the French Owl label.Gil Evans discography accessed June 13, 2014.Kenz, W. & Roussel, P., Steve Lacy discography, accessed June 13, 2014 The album was Evans' final studio recording before his death in 1988.Crease, S. S., Gil Evans: Out of the Cool: His Life and Music, p.323 The album was released in the US on Sunnyside Records in 2003.Sunnyside Records: album details, accessed December 18, 2019
Reception
The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow stated, "In truth, Evans's playing here is generally little more than melody statements and comping behind Lacy and, although the soprano is in top form, little of significance occurs... of greater interest from a historical standpoint than musical".Yanow, S. Allmusic Review accessed June 13, 2014. The Penguin Guide to Jazz observed, "it's scarcely a momentous occasion, musically speaking, for either man... Interesting to hear Lacy at work on his music, but in the end the results are merely light and agreeable".
Track listing "Reincarnation of a Lovebird" (Charles Mingus) – 7:05 "Paris Blues" (Duke Ellington) – 5:17 "Esteem" (Steve Lacy) – 9:07 "Orange Was the Color of Her Dress Then Blue Silk" (Mingus) – 14:42 "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat (Mingus) – 8:42 "Jelly Roll" (Gil Evans) – 5:43 (bonus track on CD) "Esteem" (Lacy) – 8:54 (bonus track on CD)
Personnel Gil Evans – piano, electric piano Steve Lacy – soprano saxophone
References