Requisites

Bud Powell ‘57 ~ Bud Powell | By Eddie Carter

I wanted to hear something soothing after dinner a few nights ago, so I chose one of my favorite records by pianist Bud Powell. This morning’s album from the library comprised three sessions and was initially released as Jazz Original in 1955 and reissued two years later as Bud Powell ’57 (Norgran Records MG N-1098). He’s leading two trios in a program of nine standards. Percy Heath (tracks: A1 to A3), Lloyd Trotman (A4, B2 to B5) on bass, Max Roach (tracks: A1 to A3), and Art Blakey (A4, B2 to B5) on drums. My copy is the 1981 Verve Original Jazz Classics Japanese Mono audiophile reissue (UMV 2571) by Polygram Records.

Deep Night, by Charles E. Henderson and Rudy Vallée, opens the album and is introduced by Bud, then Percy and Max join him to complete the melody. Powell is the song’s only soloist and gives a briskly efficient interpretation complimented by the rhythm section’s compelling understructure leading to the climax. Next, the trio takes on That Old Black Magic by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. It made its debut in the 1942 film Star Spangled Rhythm. The trio opens the song with a deceptively simple melody before Bud makes a tremendous statement toward the ensemble’s exit.

‘Round Midnight by Thelonious Monk, Cootie Williams, and Bernie Hanighen is one of the most recorded compositions in jazz. Powell opens with a hauntingly beautiful introduction which grows into the trio’s gorgeous melody. Bud has the spotlight and demonstrates delicacy over Percy and Max’s subtle accompaniment ahead of a pretty ending. Thou Swell by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart comes from the 1927 musical, A Connecticut Yankee. The trio picks up their pace to a medium tempo, and Powell leads Trotman and Blakey in the melody. The pianist feeds off their energy and does an excellent job freshening up this old chestnut with a bright performance.

Side Two starts with Like Someone in Love by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke, a solo performance by Bud that premiered in the 1944 film Belle of The Yukon. Powell has the showcase alone here, and right from the song’s entrance, he brings out its warmth of lyricism, tenderness, and sincerity in one of the album’s prettiest performances. Someone To Watch Over Me by George and Ira Gershwin is from the 1926 musical, Oh, Kay! Initially known as a torch song, the group’s interpretation is performed flawlessly, with Powell showing the utmost respect during the melody and in his solo. Trotman and Blakey anchor him politely, preceding the closing chorus.

The tempo moves upward again for Lover Come Back To Me by Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein II. It appeared first in the 1928 musical, The New Moon, and it’s a catchy tune beginning with the threesome’s lively opening chorus. Bud opens the song’s only solo at a brisk gallop, complemented by Lloyd and Art leading to the trio’s finale. Tenderly by Walter Gross and Jack Lawrence is an enchanting song about finding love. Powell’s piano makes the introduction which grows into a delicately gentle theme; then Bud reminisces nostalgically in an excellent interpretation preceding the ending.

The album ends with How High The Moon by Morgan Lewis and Nancy Hamilton. It’s an infectious tune with a driving beat that takes off after Bud’s introduction. The pianist swings to Lloyd and Art’s zesty foundation into the theme’s reprise and climax. Norman Granz supervised the initial album, and it’s unknown who was the recording engineer. However, the reissue’s sound quality is excellent, with a stellar soundstage that brings the musicians into your listening room with incredible clarity. The record is pressed on virgin vinyl and silent until the music starts. If you’re in the mood for a relaxing album to enjoy after a long day or week, I offer for your consideration Bud Powell ’57. It’s an endlessly satisfying trio album that I’m sure you’ll enjoy!

~ Jazz Original (Norgran Records MG N-1017) – Source: Discogs.com ~ How High The Moon, Like Someone In Love, Lover Come Back To Me, ‘Round Midnight, Someone To Watch Over Me, Tenderly, That Old Black Magic, Thou Swell – Source: JazzStandards.com ~ Deep Night – Source: Wikipedia.org © 2023 by Edward Thomas Carter

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