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Bud Powell: Jazz Giant
ByTragically, Powell received a racially motivated beating early on in his career that caused the mental disturbances that kept him in and out of mental hospitals his entire life. Legend has it that in one of these hospitals Powell drew a piano keyboard on the wall with chalk in order to practice away from his instrument. As Powell got older, his condition worsened, and tags like "Genius" and "Amazing" on albums contain a hint of pathos as a result; did we ever truly know what his talents were?
At any rate, Bud Powell has left a commendable recorded legacy behind, most of which is overshadowed by the brilliance of his work for Blue Note. However, he also recorded some very impressive early work for Norman Granz, much of which is equal or surpasses the quality of those historic sessions without the multiple takes (the two sessions on Jazz Giant straddles the Blue Note work, for the most part.) The first session was recorded under slightly dour circumstances; Powell was undergoing treatment at a mental hospital, unable to play live, and was only released during the day for a limited time to record. This undoubtedly left Powell frustrated and as such, an aggressive, almost furious urgency dominates these sessions; it's like watching a pot of water right before it boils over. He barrels through "Tempus Fugit" before you
Track Listing
Tempus Fugit, Celia, Cherokee, I'll Keep Loving You, Strictly Confidential, All God's Chillun Got Rhythm, So Sorry Please, Get Happy, Sometimes I'm Happy, Sweet Georgia Brown, Yesterdays, April In Paris, Body and Soul.
Personnel
Bud Powell
pianoBud Powell, piano; Ray Brown, Curly Russell, bass; Max Roach, drums.
Album information
Title: Jazz Giant | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Verve Music Group
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