Ralph Towner is the undisputed master of fingerstyle jazz playing on the classical guitar. Since his 1970 recording debut with the Paul Winter Consort he has gone on to cofound the group Oregon and recorded frequently for the ECM label, alone and in collaboration with many musicians. But in his extensive discography the truly solo recordings--just him and a guitar--have always occupied a special place. This solo album takes its title from the only cover on it, a version of the Victor Young/Ned Washington standard--chosen because of the powerful impact the seminal Bill Evans Trio recording at the Village Vanguard had on him as a young musician--a beautiful rendition which does justice to both the song and the inspiration. Towner has a rare ability to achieve a full, piano-like sound while still staying in the moment improvisationally. The rest of the program covers a range of Towner originals, from the singing theme of "I'll Sing To You" to the dance rhythms of "Dolomiti Dance" to the harmonic ambiguity of "Blue As In Bley," his tribute to the late avant-garde pianist Paul Bley. He revisits two older compositions written for Oregon: "Shard" dates all the way back to their first album, Music of Another Present Era (Vanguard, 1972). "Clarion Call" and "Biding Time" employ the acoustic 12-string guitar, another instrument that has long been part of Towner's voice. At age 76 Towner is still at the height of his powers: he has never sounded better. (Mark Sullivan)