Both this "Waltz For Debby" and "Sunday At The Village Vanguard" were made from the live recordings of June 25, 1961. The latter is a memorial album focusing on bassist Scott LaFaro, who passed away eleven days after the performance. This album gathers the remaining takes from the date and leans far more heavily toward Evans himself. Why is it that, out of the many recordings he left behind both solo and with his trio, this is the one that has been handed down as an album representative of jazz itself? One reason, I feel, is that the conversational interplay among the three players presents the appeal of the "piano trio" — a rare format at the time — better than anything else. And the audience applause, laughter, and the clink of glasses that only a live take can offer are charming too. Because the Village Vanguard was located underground, there's even an audiophile legend that you can faintly hear the subway during the performance. Why not pick it up while you have the chance? (Original Japanese text by Akie)