Birdland 1953

BUD POWELL: Birdland 1953
ESP-Disk', 2014

BEBOP – One of the titans of the bebop revolution, a master especially of explosive, high-tempo melodic improvisation, pianist Bud Powell was also a deeply troubled man. Long stretches of his peak years were spent in mental institutions, and he also battled alcoholism. But when he was free and clear, there was no touching him.

So it was in 1953, when, after a year in the hospital and under the strict care of his manager, Powell was booked for a 20-week trio engagement at bop nightclub Birdland. The recordings on these 3 CDs were made at the club on 13 different nights, and capture Powell with other giants of the era: Roy Haynes, Charles Mingus, Oscar Pettiford and Art Taylor are his principal sidemen, and there are also a few guest appearances by bebop gods Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie on Disc 2 (along with percussionist Candido, a star of Afro-Cuban jazz).

The audio quality is pretty rough in spots, but generally clean compared to many other live club recordings of the era (and compared to earlier releases of some of this same material on other labels). There are also some tunes repeated multiple times; I’ve tried to pick the best versions.

All 3 hours are worth listening to.
Fo’s Picks:
Disc I: 2, 5, 9, 12, 15 / Disc II: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 14 / Disc III: 1, 3, 4, 6, 16

DISC ONE

1. 0:50 – theme/radio announcer
2. 5:38 – hard-swinging uptempo
3. 3:34 – pounding piano on ballad
4. 6:59 – perky bounce w/ bass solo
5. 2:57 – bright, lilting, happy piano
6. 3:32 – quick, jabbing piano
7. 4:16 – relaxed ballad, nice piano
8. 2:44 – catchy; cute latin rhythm
9. 2:59 – brisk, snappy bop classic
10. 0:47 – theme/radio announcer
11. 1:46 – theme/radio announcer
12. 2:51 – bright, happily swinging
13. 2:43 – #8 but without the beat
14. 4:37 – #7 but softer, more bass
15. 3:00 – upbeat bouncy medley
16. 2:05 – upbeat, skipping piano


DISC TWO

1. 3:12 – brisk and joyful
2. 2:35 – catchy; cute latin rhythm
3. 2:05 – dances, flowing, but odd
4. 3:36 – firm, forceful ballad
5. 2:59 – happy latin-bop riffing
6. 4:21 – quiet & fast w/drum solo
7. 1:16 – brisk, swinging theme
8. 6:28 – #5 + Diz on trumpet
9. 3:25 – #6 + Diz, muddy sound
10. 5:31 – Bird blows on upbeat jam
11. 2:38 – #2, but drums are quieter
12. 2:13 – impressionistic ballad
13. 4:24 – #1, at a faster tempo
14. 5:01 – all out w/Bird & Candido
15. 7:04 – twisty w/Bird & Candido
16. 3:04 – fast piano, drums thump
17. 2:59 – heavy, off-kilter riffing


DISC THREE

1. 4:08 – strong upbeat bounce
2. 4:52 – same tune, more relaxed
3. 4:24 – breezy latin-tinged romp
4. 2:58 – upbeat, sweeping swinger
5. 2:58 – #1 again, brisk & swingin’
6. 2:25 – short but serious work
7. 2:46 – odd intro, then swings
8. 3:20 – #4 again, scratchy audio
9. 2:42 – #1 again, more relaxed
10. 3:31 – #3 again, a bit flat-footed
11. 2:40 – lively, weaves thru beat
12. 3:55 – #4 again, extra bouncy
13. 3:06 – #1 again, solid version
14. 4:15 – relaxed but firm ballad
15. 4:03 – #3 again, tough/vigorous
16. 2:44 – #11 with better balance

[ Fo ] - 6 May 2014