This came out in 2002 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Maybe it’s because most of the big-name pop and rock acts are hibernating. Maybe it’s because I spent the last month swinging to the Rat Pack Christmas album. Or maybe it’s just because they both start with the letters J and A. Whatever. All I know is I always seem to listen to a lot of jazz in January. Looks like this year is no exception — thanks mainly to a cornucopia of cool titles that landed in stores before the holidays. At least four respected labels — Blue Note, ECM, Impulse and Verve — have impressive and affordable new retrospectives or reissues on the racks right now. Even if you don’t know be-bop from doo-wop, I suggest you give one or two a try. Here’s a little primer to help you get into the swing on Bud Powell:
WHO: Bop piano genius Powell was the Charlie Parker of the keyboard in more ways than one — not only was he a musical genius who redefined jazz and the role his instrument played in it, he he was also a tragic, troubled figure whose personal demons and addictions drove him to an early grave. (Parker once famously said Powell was “even crazier than me!”)
WHEN: Although his performing career lasted from the mid-’40s to the mid-’60s, Powell was at his peak and cut his most memorable and coherent sides between 1947 and ’51.
WHAT YOU GET: A little less than 40 minutes of Powell in full flight, tearing up the keyboard on 13 solo and small band classics like Tempus Fugit, Un Polo Loco, Cherokee and Bouncin’ With Bud — and accompanying himself with his constant, muttered scatting.
WHERE HE FITS IN: Shoulder to shoulder with Bird and Diz and the greats of bop.
