Fantastic!
11/19/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One of best sessions Powell played or that any piano player ever played. Despite all of his problems, this man could play like nobody's business until the day he passed away. Too bad, however, that the bass player and drummer are not listed. If you find today's piano players boring and unoriginal, get this recording. You will dig it."
Extraordinary lesson of music and swing by Bud
JEAN-MARIE JUIF | BESANCON France | 10/26/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Each record by the immense Bud Powell is a treasure.Even when he was in serious health troubles.If you reject some of his records,just because he couldn't play as fast as usual,just because he was sick ,or despaired,then you have to reject Billie's "lady in satin","last recordings",Lester's last albums,"laughin' to keep from crying","going for myself","Lester Young in Paris",Paul Gonsalves' album with Earl Hines on Black Lion,which includes one of jazz greatest treasures,"over the rainbow",Coleman Hawkins' "Supreme" album on Enja,and many more.If you do,then I have to say that we'll never talk about music together.
If you think that Bud couldn't play anymore in 1963,(he died three years later,aged 43),then you're terribly wrong.This amazing session,recorded February 1963in Paris,with Gilbert Rovère,bass,and Kansas Fields,drums,and produced by Duke Ellington is essential.Bud is at his best.That means that he plays at the highest level.He turns every tune into a masterpiece: Duke Jordan's "Jor Du",standards like "how high the moon","I can't get started" or "body and soul",Duke Ellington's "satin doll",Little Benny Harris' themes,"Reets and I" and "Little Benny",his own composition,the incredible "parisian thoroughfare" and the traditionnal and very emotionnal "dear old Stockholm".This music swings like mad.I don't know if another jazz musician ever swang that way.Bud's music is the perfect medicine against loneliness and sadness.If you don't tap your feet after the very first bars of "Reets and I",then stop listening to jazz immediatly.If you do,then jump to Monk's,Mary Lou Williams' and Tadd Dameron's records,Bud's main influences with...Bach.
This album is essential to every Bud's fan.During the last years of his short life,he recorded a few albums in Paris,and they all are great ("Blues for Bouffemont",Black Lion).But this one has some terrific piano playing.Bud was still here in 1963.Don't miss it!!!"
Bud 1963.
JEAN-MARIE JUIF | 07/10/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"In the 1960s while living in France, Bud Powell, the greatest jazz pianist of his era (and perhaps any era) struggled with numerous mental, substance and health problems. His skills eroded from his pinnacle in the late 1940s. However he surfaced numerous times for some solid performances like this one. Produced by Duke Ellington, and backed by a drummer Carl Donnell "Kansas" Fields and bassist Gilbert Rovere. Bud is in good form, showing a lot of range. Bop standards such as "Little Benny", "Parisian Thoroughfare" and "How High the Moon", a bit of hard boppiness ("Jordu"), and an impressionistic and cool version of "Dear Old Stockholm". During this period, Bud's style was more spare and a shade Monk-like. A good session by a great artist."
