This is an important new addition to the Bill Evans canon, and while it is not the ideal place for aural pilgrims to make their initial acquaintance, longtime fans of the piano innovator will be quite moved. Homecoming marks the return of the prodigal musical son to his alma mater, Southeastern Louisiana University, on November 6, 1979, some 29 years after he graduated with honors. Evans plays with enormous musical authority, achieving an enhanced level of harmonic density and rhythmic power, reflecting in equal parts the emotions he was feeling that evening, his growth as an artist, and the unique chemistry between the pianist and his newest collaborators, drummer Joe LaBarbera and bassist Marc Johnson. Johnson, while quite comfortable with the contrapuntal melodic style of Scott LaFaro and Eddie Gomez, plays with more heft and bottom than his predecessors; and LaBarbera is likewise more earthy and grounded than Elliot Zigmund or Marty Morrell. Together they bring a fatter, more expansive group sound to such unlikely cover tunes as "Song from M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)," while essaying Evans originals like "Very Early" with a broad range of dynamic gestures. The you-are-there ambient quality of this homemade recording is quite good, which adds a poignant touch to the immediacy of the moment, because less than a year later, Evans passed away at only 51. --Chip Stern