The Genius of Bud Powell


The Genius of Bud Powell, originally titled Bud Powell's Moods, is a studio album by jazz pianist Bud Powell, released in 1956 by Mercury / Clef, featuring two sessions that Powell recorded in 1950 and 1951.
The album was re-released on CD by Verve in 1992, with two additional takes of "Tea for Two". The sessions also appear on The Complete Bud Powell on Verve box set.

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 1955 LP release of The Amazing Bud Powell, which opens with three takes of "Un Poco Loco".
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, featuring Bud's brother Richie Powell on piano.

Track listing

All songs were written by Bud Powell, except where noted.
  1. "Tea for Two" – 3:28
  2. "Tea for Two" – 4:13
  3. "Tea for Two" – 3:47
  4. "Hallelujah!" – 2:59
  5. "Parisian Thoroughfare" – 2:28
  6. "Oblivion" – 2:28
  7. "Dusk in Sandi" – 2:13
  8. "Hallucinations" – 2:25
  9. "The Fruit" – 3:17
  10. "A Nightingale Sang in [Berkeley Square (song)|A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square]" – 3:41
  11. "Just [One of Those Things (song)|Just One of Those Things]" – 3:50
  12. "The [Last Time I Saw Paris (song)|The Last Time I Saw Paris]" – 3:18

Personnel

July 1, 1950, New York, tracks 1–4.
February 1951, New York, tracks 5–12.
  • Bud Powell – piano

Release history

The album was originally released as the 12" LP Bud Powell's Moods, and later re-released and re-titled The Genius of Bud Powell. Confusingly, another album containing different sessions was subsequently released as Bud Powell's Moods. 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" had previously been released in the 50s on a V.A. compilation called Piano Interpretations. The version marked "take 10" 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
  6. "Tea for Two" – 4:13
  7. "Hallelujah!" – 2:59
  8. "The Last Time I Saw Paris" – 3:18
  9. "Just One of Those Things" – 3:50
  10. "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" – 3:41