The Bebop Shop : Now's The Time: Bud, Bird & Bebop : Bud Powell
Abandoning the established striding left-hand technique in favour of spacey irregular patterns of dissonant chords, while the right hand developed rapid free-flowing melodic lines effectively mimicking the saxophone style of Charlie Parker on the piano. It resulted at times in inspired, brilliant and breathtaking solos, with a daring attack and intensity, which greatly influenced artists of later years such as Bill Evans. Acrobat’s 2CD set, The Best Of Bud Powell 1944-62 Vol.1 (ADDCD3116), presented a selection of his most noted recordings, however there were many of equal quality and interest that could not be included.
Therefore, this additional 2CD collection covers a similar era, with pieces selected from a wide spectrum of the projects and periods which gave rise to some of his best-known performances. The regard in which he was held by his peers is underlined by the litany of jazz greats with whom he performs on many of these recordings, artists such as: Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt, Fats Navarro, Art Blakey, Ray Brown, Max Roach, Buddy Rich, Percy Heath and Curly Russell. It’s an absorbing and entertaining showcase for a fine jazz musician whose influence can be traced in the music of Horace Silver, Wynton Kelly, Andre Previn, McCoy Tyner, Cedar Walton, and Chick Corea. (Trapeze Music) Price: £12.99
Bud Powell's early years are documented on the 86 tracks in this 4 CD box set, the years during which he amazed fellow musicians as well as jazz fans, with dazzling bebop piano playing that laid the foundation of modern jazz piano.
The full Bud Powell story is told within the pages of the 48 page booklet that also includes rare pictures and discography. This set is sure to be welcomed worldwide by jazz fans as the early years of this giant have never been given due attention until now. (Proper Records) Price: £16.99
Earl "Bud" Powell was born into a musical family in New York in 1924. Leaving school at 15 he gained his first professional experience at Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem where as a precocious teenager he would astonish jazzmen sitting in on a series of experimental sessions along the way becoming a pioneer along with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie or the new jazz movement………bebop! On three of our selections we find Bud in a trio format with George Duvivier on bass and Art Taylor on drums. For the "Genius Of Bud Powell " album, Bud is heard primarily solo but is joined on two tracks recorded in New York in 1950 by bassist Ray Brown and legendary drummer Buddy Rich.
All four albums have been digitally re-mastered for probably the finest ever sound quality! (AVID Entertainment) Price: £8.99
A BEBOP SHOP MILESTONE- An essential recording for your jazz CD shelf Price: £8.99
This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is mono, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal. (Blue Note Records) Price: £25.99
The Fuller features include an amazing version of Charlie Parker's "Moose The Mooche", but the highlights here are Powell's original "Blue Pearl" and his solo performance "Bud On Bach". (Blue Note Records)
Late 1950s addition to the "amazing" Blue Note albums, this finds Powell in restored form after one of his recurrent illnesses. With excellent Paul Chambers (bass) and Art Taylor (drums)---and young trombonist Curtis Fuller on three tracks---Powell demonstrates his linear melodic dexterity at all tempos, inherent syncopation (or rhythmic pulsation) and sure harmonic conception. Outstanding blues choruses on "Some Soul" and "Keepin' in the Groove," and masterly work (with Fuller) on Parker's "Moose the Moose." Outside of Art Tatum---his real mentor---Powell is superlatively the pianist's pianist. He epitomises modern jazz piano, a hugely influential figure. (Andrew Clark, Editor, Riffs & Choruses: A New Jazz Anthology. Continuum Publishers.) Price: £8.99
This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal. (Blue Note Records) Price: £25.99
Powell’s mental problems have been well documented and his post-1953 work is often denigrated but sometimes, as in these concerts, he had good nights. Nearing the sunset of his career his musical light could still burst through the clouds and dazzle his faithful listeners. (Discovery Records) Price: £13.99
