bill evans and the amulet of mystery

Since I completed my Masters degree last year, I’ve been thinking about what area I might research next, and possibly going back to school to do it.  It has been an anxious time, wondering if I have any passion left for the academy, which has given me so many opportunities and security.  I was worried there would be no topic left that would ignite my passions enough to do thorough research and writing.

Then I saw this:

Bill Evans was the first jazz pianist that I studied.  The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is probably my favourite vocal jazz recording (aside from Shooby Taylor’s work).  Until I saw this footage from the Johnny Carson show, I always thought that Bill’s talents were hard-won after years of practice.  Bill was well-known for espousing the merits of hard work over natural talent in a now legendary quotation:

“I believe in things that are developed through hard work. I always like people who have developed long and hard, especially through introspection and a lot of dedication. I think what they arrive at is usually a much deeper and more beautiful thing than the person who seems to have that ability and fluidity from the beginning. I say this because it’s a good message to give to young talents who feel as I used to.”

And now my whole epistemological foundation has been shaken after watching this video and noticing this:

What in the heck is that around his neck!!!!!!???????????

I know what you’re all thinking: “It was the 70s… everyone was wearing medallions.”  Well that would be simple, and occam’s razor would cut right through that shit.  But here’s the thing… check out what Tony says at the very end of the video:

Clint Eastwood: “Bill Evans unfortunately didn’t live long enough to do half of what he’s really capable of doing.”

Tony Bennett: “And you know I must tell you that he really regretted that

This is a serious problem. In fact there is a tangled web of problems here. First and foremost, how does Tony Bennett know that Bill regretted anything after his death?  The obvious implication is that somehow Bill is staying in touch with Tony from the afterlife.  And we’re not just talking about vague ghostly ramblings where Bill moans things like “aaaaavvveeeeeenge meeeeeeee!!!!!!”  Tony and Bill managed to get enough clarity and time on the supernatural airwaves to get to a discussion on their career regrets.  Bill could tell Tony about all the projects he wished he had been able to complete, and Tony could lord it over Bill that he got to do a duet with Lady Gaga.

I believe that Bill’s amulet grants him amazing powers.  Possibly, these powers are musical (amazing voicings, piano touch and +5 vs. vampires/jazz singers), but all the clues seem to lead also to power over death.

this is a close-up of Bill's amulet of power. see also: http://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Three-Wolf-Short-Sleeve/dp/B002HJ377A

I think Clint is also in on the “talking to Bill Evans from the afterlife” club.  Notice that when talking about Bill, he uses the present tense: “Bill Evans unfortunately didn’t live long enough to do half of what he’s really capable of doing.” So Clint knows.  What are these three up to??

One last thing – the guy at 2:24 says “Bill Evans was an orchestra.”  He doesn’t say “Bill Evans was like an orchestra.”  So now are you telling us that the amulet grants the power to transform into an actual full-on orchestra, or was Bill Evans an orchestra the whole time, walking the earth in human form?  I think it’s the former, as there are many photos where he is not wearing the amulet.

Whatever Bill’s powers were (or currently are), there’s one thing I think we can all agree on: now that Paul Motian has passed, maybe Bill can use the power of the amulet to get a session together with Scotty and they can all make the follow up to Sunday at the Village Vanguard

R.I.P. Paul Motian

R.I.P. Scott LaFaro

R.I.P. (?) Bill Evans