Bud's first two Blue Note dates are here in complete form. The 1949 session features the horns of Fats Navarro and Sonny Rollins (making his recording debut) on such be-bop anthems as "Bouncing With Bud" and "Dance Of The ... more »Infidels". This 1951 trio session with Curly Russell and Max Roach introduced "Un Poco Loco" and "Parisian Thoroughfare". Personnel: FATS NAVARRO, trumpet; SONNY ROLLINS, tenor sax; BUD POWELL, piano; TOMMY POTTER, bass; ROY HAYNES, drums (#1-11). BUD POWELL, piano; CURLY RUSSELL, bass; MAX ROACH, drums (#12-20).« less
Bud's first two Blue Note dates are here in complete form. The 1949 session features the horns of Fats Navarro and Sonny Rollins (making his recording debut) on such be-bop anthems as "Bouncing With Bud" and "Dance Of The Infidels". This 1951 trio session with Curly Russell and Max Roach introduced "Un Poco Loco" and "Parisian Thoroughfare". Personnel: FATS NAVARRO, trumpet; SONNY ROLLINS, tenor sax; BUD POWELL, piano; TOMMY POTTER, bass; ROY HAYNES, drums (#1-11). BUD POWELL, piano; CURLY RUSSELL, bass; MAX ROACH, drums (#12-20).
Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 05/20/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you plan to invest in the complete "Amazing" series, then this is the place to start. Bud is the matrix of modern jazz piano, the Bird of the piano, the reason pianists began to speak about "blowing piano" rather than "playing" it.
On the other hand, if this is going to be your only disc representing Powell's inarguable genius, you may wish to consider a representative anthology. "The Definitive" and "The Ultimate Bud Powell" (compiled by Chic Corea) are both worthy collections, but the best bet is still the oop "The Best of Bud Powell: The Blue Note Years." Once you hear "Bud on Bach" you'll have a better understanding of the sublime baroque design of Bud's inventiveness at its apex.
I hesitate to suggest why Powell is so important--especially after reviewing another Powell recording and being chastized by subsequent reviewers for stopping short of complete idolatry of every aspect of his playing (maybe I'm monotheistic--jazz has traditionally recognized Art Tatum as the "God in the House"). Without commenting on his harmonic progressions and left-hand voicings, I feel safe in making the following claim: no pianist's right hand has combined such a lightning-fast, limitless melodic imagination with an equally impressive, dazzling yet flowing, rhythmic complexity. To listen to the brilliance of the playing on "Parisian Thoroughfare," only to have the self-critical Powell stop mid-stream and instruct the engineers to "cut it," is a supremely insightful moment into the mind of a superior creative being.
If the above is controversial because it's insufficient in its praise, I'm cheered that there are still listeners who care enough about Bud to insist on his deification. His music is certainly deserving of continued respect if not reverence."
Bop Classic
R. J. Marsella | California | 10/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This recording demonstrates the truly amazing talent that Bud Powell had both as an improvisor and as a composer of classic jazz standards. He is accompanied by a fine band featuring a young Sonny Rollins and the incredible Fats Navarro on trumpet. The ensemble playing is excellent with breakneck tempos and complex rhythmic changes. On Un Poco Loco Powell plays off of Max Roach's latin tinged drumming in a duet that by itself would be worth the price of this CD. Roach is always amazing but this tune is one I can listen to again and again. This CD deserves a place in any jazz collection. A true master at the height of his powers accompanied by great musicians on their way to becoming legends."
Classic quintet-but not the place to start
R. J. Marsella | 07/19/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The quintet session is so immortal and lavished with analysis, none is necessary here. In spite of the almost universal thought that this is "it"---the ultimate Powell recording that exemplies the artist, I say, think again. His entire career, and the myriad of periods and changes in his style, should be appreciated. As a lifelong Powell collector and student, I strongly recommend first-timers to Powell to start with the early Verve, Roost and Blue Note trios before coming around to this magnificent set, which includes the quintets as well as the handful of trio numbers such as "You Go to My Head" (one of Powell's greatest ballad recordings). ("The Complete 1947-1951 Blue Note, Verve and Roost" is a box set that captures most of his finest work.)"
2 sides of Bud.
Pharoah S. Wail | Inner Space | 01/05/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tracks 1 - 11: Fats Navarro - trumpet, Sonny Rollins - tenor sax, Bud Powell - piano, Tommy Potter - bass, Roy Haynes - drums. Recorded in 1949.
Tracks 12 - 20: Bud Powell - piano, Curley Russell - bass, Max Roach - drums. Recorded in 1951.
What can really be said about this album? It's almost easier to write about bad music than it is about great music. The whole higher purpose of music (with or without lyrics) is to express that which words cannot do justice, so how can anyone truly do any justice to great music by talking about it? I can't, but I try... if only for the sake of helping other people buy (or not) this or that disc.
Bud and friends are absolutely killin here! One the one hand, the larger band tracks have a certain lovelyness to them simply because everyone shines. Having Fats and Sonny there adds a whole different feel to the music, and more variety. You know there is a whole lot of melody going on with Fats and Sonny there! Of course there is also something to be said for the lean trio format of the later tracks. Being the featured soloist, Bud has more time and room to work with and stretch out, and he certainly knew how to make the most of it. This trio is brilliant, to put it bluntly.
On a later disc like Time Waits, Bud is a little off. Not off-off, really, but more like... Ragged but Right. He could still do it, but you can tell he was having to work for it. Here though, on Amazing Powell Volume 1... it doesn't sound like he's working for anything. He just has it. All of it. It's just flowing out of him like sweat.
Bud was a brilliant musician and it's dripping out of him on this disc.
"
A bunch of geniuses for a bebop masterpiece
JEAN-MARIE JUIF | BESANCON France | 11/11/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"More than fifty years have passed since this incredible music was waxed.I can't believe it.The first session (Aug.8,1949) includes Fats Navarro on trumpet,a very young Sonny Rollins on tenor sax,Tommy Potter on bass and the great Roy Haynes on drums."Fat Girl" has great choruses on trumpet,and the twenty years old Rollins shows that he'll soon be the boss.Bud's tunes are bop's classics now ("wail","bouncing with Bud","dance of the infidels").But the quintet also plays Bird ("ornithology"),Monk ("52nd Street theme") and a magnificent standard ("you go to my head" ).The second session (May 1,1951) is a trio with Curley Russell and Max Roach. Again,a bunch of masterpieces: JImmy Van Heusen's "it could happen to you",Dizzy's "night in Tunisia",Howard Arlen's "over the rainbow", Bud's "parisian thoroughfare" and "un poco loco".Make no mistake,this cd contains some of the greatest stuff ever recorded .THis is bop at its highest level,and listening to it makes me feel like jumping to Tadd Dameron's music.Rudy Van Gelder's remastering of these tracks is great, and for the first time, the tunes appear in the order of the recording sessions.There are nine alternate tracks in this cd. Don't miss this reissue."