Bill Evans Plays Banjo (Native & Fine Records 906-3, 2001) is a performance album from the California-based banjoist, educator, and author released on his own imprint — named a Top 10 Bluegrass Recording of the year by the Chicago Tribune. Evans — later the author of Banjo for Dummies and one of the most active banjo instructors in the contemporary acoustic music world — performs original compositions and traditional material with Don Rigsby contributing vocals. The album is a showcase of Evans's playing rather than an instructional document, demonstrating the technical and melodic range of a musician who has devoted his career equally to performing and to opening the instrument to new players. Bill Evans Plays Banjo represents an early artistic statement before Evans's educational work came to define his broader public identity, documenting a committed performer with much to say on the instrument itself.
Tracklist
- 1 Petersburg Gal (feat. John Reischman) 3:35
- 2 Germaine's Dream (feat. Darol Anger) 3:12
- 3 Kobe Blues (feat. Darol Anger) 4:15
- 4 Meadows of Dan (feat. Rob Ickes) 4:14
- 5 Corey's Slide (feat. Rob Ickes) 4:05
- 6 Catching the Dickens (feat. John Reischman) 4:25
- 7 New Black Eyed Suzie (feat. John Reischman) 3:39
- 8 Raising the Beams (feat. Steve Smith) 3:07
- 9 When She Smiles (feat. Nina Gerber) 5:41
- 10 Leaving Owensboro (feat. Darol Anger) 4:23
- 11 Lonesome Polka 1:27
- 12 Granite Chief (feat. Rob Ickes) 3:06
- 13 Heavy Traffic Ahead alt version 2:50
