Recorded at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California from May 11-13, 1977. Digitally remastered by Phil De Lancie (1992, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California). Bill Evans' 1977 release, I WILL SAY GOODBYE, is an impassioned album that hauntingly foreshadows his own death only three years later. On this album, we hear Evans' penultimate trio, comprised of bassist Eddie Gomez, and drummer Eliot Zigmund. Sewing of a delicate musical balance, the trio weaves a warm and organic blanket sound, rarely falling into the standard four beat jazz groove. Instead, Evans and company create tension and release in the music, as they play off one another in a complex yet lucid manner. Indeed, the beauty of Evans' conception lies in his (and his sidemen's) ability to imply the music's tempo and feel, rather than lay it out in even, metered beats. Evans begins each tune with a rubato piano introduction, employing a variety of musical shades, and tonal clusters. As each song unfolds, Gomez and Zigmund complement the pianist with subtle yet pointed rhythmical nuances. This is most effective on Michel Legrand's composition, "Orson's Theme," and Herbie Hancock's, "Dolphin Dance." In addition, the ballads "I Will Say Goodbye" and "Seascape" bring out the pianist's penchant for dark, melancholic music.
