The Genius of Bud Powell

History

The two sessions mark Powell's fourth recording date as leader, following on from the February 1950 session for Jazz Giant.

The three takes of "Tea for Two" at the start of the CD release recall the classic 1955 LP release of The Amazing Bud Powell, which opens with three takes of "Un Poco Loco". Although the three versions here don't display the cumulative explorations of the "Un Poco Loco" takes, the sheer velocity and attack on each is remarkable.

Powell's composition "Parisian Thoroughfare", a "classic bop vehicle", has been recorded by several other artists, most notably the Clifford Brown and Max Roach quintet in 1954 (Clifford Brown & Max Roach), featuring Bud's brother Richie Powell on piano.

Track listing

All songs were written by Bud Powell, except where noted.

1. "Tea for Two" [take 5] (Vincent Youmans, Irving Caesar) – 3:28 (not on original LP)
2. "Tea for Two" [take 6] (Youmans, Caesar) – 4:13
3. "Tea for Two" [take 10] (Youmans, Caesar) – 3:47 (not on original LP)
4. "Hallelujah!" (Youmans, Leo Robin, Clifford Grey) – 2:59
5. "Parisian Thoroughfare" (a.k.a. "Parisienne Thorofare") – 2:28
6. "Oblivion" – 2:28
7. "Dusk in Sandi" (a.k.a. "Dusky 'n' Sandy") – 2:13
8. "Hallucinations" (a.k.a. "Budo") – 2:25
9. "The Fruit" – 3:17
10. "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" (Manning Sherwin, Jack Strachey, Eric Maschwitz) – 3:41
11. "Just One of Those Things" (Cole Porter) – 3:50
12. "The Last Time I Saw Paris" (Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II) – 3:18

Personnel

July 1, 1950, New York, tracks 1–4.

February 1951, New York, tracks 5–12.

Release history

The album was originally released as the 12" LP Bud Powell's Moods (Mercury / Clef MGC 610), and later re-released and re-titled The Genius of Bud Powell (Clef MGC 739, Verve MGV 8115). Confusingly, another album containing different sessions (from 1954 and 1955) was subsequently released as Bud Powell's Moods (Norgran MGN 1064). Confusingly again, in the late 1970s Verve released a double LP also called The Genius of Bud Powell, coupling the single-disc Genius with Jazz Giant, and also a follow-up double LP called The Genius of Bud Powell, Volume 2, containing sessions from 1954 to 1956.

On the CD release, the additional version of "Tea for Two" marked "take 5" (a.k.a. "compilation take") had previously been released in the 50s on a V.A. compilation called Piano Interpretations. The version marked "take 10" (a.k.a. "78 take") had appeared on 78/45 rpm singles and on the 10" LP Piano Solos #2.

Bud Powell's Moods 12" LP (MGC 610)

1. "Parisienne Thorofare" – 2:28
2. "Oblivion" – 2:28
3. "Dusk in Sandi" – 2:13
4. "Hallucinations" – 2:25
5. "The Fruit" – 3:17

1. "Tea for Two" [take 6] (Youmans, Caesar) – 4:13
2. "Hallelujah!" (Youmans, Robin, Grey) – 2:59
3. "The Last Time I Saw Paris" (Kern, Hammerstein II) – 3:18
4. "Just One of Those Things" (Porter) – 3:50
5. "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" (Sherwin, Strachey, Maschwitz) – 3:41