Bud Powell's Moods


Bud Powell's Moods is a studio album by jazz pianist Bud Powell, released in 1956 by Norgran, featuring sessions that Powell recorded in 1954 and 1955.

Background

The sessions on this album mark the beginning of a two-year period when Powell recorded exclusively for Norman Granz at Fine Sound Studios in New York.

Style, writing, composition

The two Powell compositions, "Buttercup" and "Fantasy in Blue", are both up-tempo, in contrast to the ballads comprising the rest of the album.
According to pianist Barry Harris, Powell did not select many of the tunes for the session, and he was unfamiliar with some of them, particularly "I Get a Kick Out of You," at the time of recording.

Release history

The album was re-issued by Verve, and released as a CD replica by Verve in 2006. The sessions are also available on CD on The Complete Bud Powell on Verve box set.

Track listing

12" LP (MGN 1064, MGV 8154)

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

Side A

  1. "Moonlight in Vermont" – 3:35
  2. "Spring Is Here" – 3:27
  3. "Buttercup" – 2:59
  4. "Fantasy in Blue" – 3:04
  5. "It Never Entered My Mind" – 2:56
  6. "A Foggy Day" – 3:45

Side B

  1. "Time Was" – 4:17
  2. "My Funny Valentine" – 2:53
  3. "I Get a Kick Out of You" – 4:26
  4. "You Go to My Head" – 4:11
  5. "The Best Thing for You (Would Be Me)" – 2:41

Personnel

Musicians

June 2, 1954

June 4, 1954

  • Bud Powell – piano
  • Percy Heath – bass
  • Art Taylor – drums
  • * ''Fine Sound Studios, New York, side A tracks 5–6 and side B tracks 1–2''

January 12, 1955

  • Bud Powell – piano
  • Lloyd Trotman – bass
  • Art Blakey – drums
  • * ''Fine Sound Studios, New York, side B tracks 3–5''

Production

Release history

The two June 1954 sessions were originally released on a 10" LP called The Artistry of Bud Powell on Norgran in 1954.

''The Artistry of Bud Powell'' 10" LP (MGN 23)

  1. "Moonlight in Vermont"
  2. "Spring Is Here"
  3. "Buttercup"
  4. "Fantasy in Blue"
  5. "It Never Entered My Mind"
  6. "A Foggy Day"
  7. "Time Was"
  8. "My Funny Valentine"