Since saxophonist Bill Evans joined the ranks of Miles Davis' historic comeback band in 1980 - he was 22 at the time - he has worked with John Mclaughlin, Herbie Hancock, Gil Evans, Lee Ritenour, Dave Grusin, Mick Jagger and Andy Summers, among others. He has also toured many times with his own band Push and is now an established name in the international music scene. On the aptly named CD Big Fun
… he brings the fun back to funk, together with a supporting line-up of Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Ricky Peterson on Hammond B-3 organ, Hiram Bullock on guitar, Clifford Carter on piano, Manolo Badrena on percussion and James Genus on bass with special guests Randy Brecker, Robben Ford, Les McCann, Mickey Raphael and Willie Nelson (yes, that Willie Nelson). From the start with the bluesy title track to the funky closing track Street Corner Man, you can hear that Evans, alternately on tenor and soprano saxophone, is in his element on the soul-recorded songs. Perhaps the biggest surprise on Big Fun is the recording of Stephen Still's song For What It's Worth, sung by country star Willie Nelson. This hymn from the 1960s still has eloquence in the political climate of 2002. (RM)more
