Emily – 1970

Bill Evans

Evans and his trio explores one of his favorite songs

Johnny Mandel wrote the romantic song “Emily” for the mid-1960s movie The Americanization Of Emily and it immediately became a standard.

Bill Evans loved the tune from the start and there are over 30 recordings of him playing “Emily” during 1964-80.

On this film which was made at a private home in Helsinki in 1970, Evans is joined by bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Marty Morell.

This version starts out with a sensitive and reharmonized melody chorus that is a little darker than usual.

But then it surprisingly becomes a medium-tempo romp for the trio, including a fine Gomez solo.

-Scott Yanow