This effervescent, occasionally haunting chamber-jazz set presents five remarkable Gary McFarland (1933-71) compositions performed by a small group of studio musicians, highlighted by the introspective pianist Bill Evans (1929-80). The two soloists are featured alongside Jim Hall on guitar (who also gets the occasional solo), Phil Woods and Spencer Sinatra on reeds, Richard Davis on bass and Ed Shaughnessy on drums, with McFarland’s typically minimalistic accompaniment by two celli and two violas.
McFarland was never a flashy soloist, but what he does here is perfectly called for: sensitive ruminations on moody, evocative themes. What is most notable here, though, are McFarland’s warm and introspective compositions and the way this group, fronted by Evans’ signature piano-isms, bring out the warmth and feeling behind McFarland’s proposed intentions.
Producer Creed Taylor was an early supporter of McFarland, and while this elegant disc neither strives to be commercial nor veers into the esoteric or atonal areas of the then-in “Third Stream,” it is always engaging, even embracing. Always thoughtful and well-considered, it often swings, as on “Night Images” or “Misplaced Cowpoke.” It is also one of the pianist’s most notable sideman gigs. That is saying something, coming only four years after the landmark “Kind of Blue.”
This disc kicks off with the wonderful “Reflections in the Park,” a song that would lend its title – but no rendition – to the 1964 Donald McKayle ballet of that name, which McFarland would score. Among the musicians on that ballet – which was never officially recorded – were Phil Woods and Richard Davis…from this record.
McFarland would go on to record a similar chamber-jazz record with pianist Steve Kuhn for Impulse in 1966. It, too, is a first-rate piece of work, but Kuhn’s playing and McFarland’s writing there are a stark contrast to the daybreak airiness heard here.
The version I am listening to here is the 2004 CD release of the disc. Another CD version, with an entirely different cover, was also issued by the British FiveFour label in 2005.
This album is a thing of beauty.