Customer Reviews

Round About Midnight at the Blue Note

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During Powell's years in Paris in the 1960s, he continued to play and perform, occasionally emerging with solid recordings ("Don Byas/Bud Powell-A Tribute to Cannonball", Dexter Gordon- "Our Man in Paris", "Bud Powell in Paris", etc.). While still formidable, Powell's playing during this period was pared down. The jaw dropping and otherworldly pre-1953 brilliance was evident only occasionally. Replacing it was a more spare, more Monk-like sound and approach, a tendency for slow and medium tempos and very little left hand. This recording is a good example. A flash of the old Powell on "52nd St Theme". The late Powell everywhere else.

Most people think that Bud's playing days were over by the end of the 1950s. Most people are wrong. Bud spent the 60's in Europe, mostly France. This album and others have strong playing, though there are no new pieces here. This album contains several Monk pieces. He's joined by Pierre Michelot and Kenny Clarke. The three musicians were a regular attraction in Paris, known locally as Les Trois Patrons.

For more on Bud Powell, look for Gerard & Sarzin's forthcoming book, Mostly Bud, containing transcriptions of Powell's solo and group performances.