Bud Powell Birdland 1953

[Tom in RI]

Just saw that ESP has reissued these recordings. A review at Amazon states the performances were pitch corrected. Has anyone here heard this release? If so I'd like to hear what your thoughts are on it.

[jazzbo]

Hey Tom, previous discussions here.

I haven't done any comparisons to previous release yet, but I like it.

[mjzee]

I've just ordered it, waiting for it to arrive. Still unclear about the tapes' provenance. They say they were recorded by Boris Rose, and the recorder was inside Birdland. I thought all of Boris's recordings were made off the radio.

[jazzbo]

You know, even when these came out on Fresh Sounds on cd early on in the digital age, the claim was that these were recorded at the club. Seems/sounds possible to me.

[romualdo]

I've just ordered it, waiting for it to arrive. Still unclear about the tapes' provenance. They say they were recorded by Boris Rose, and the recorder was inside Birdland. I thought all of Boris's recordings were made off the radio.

Michael D Anderson discusses Boris in the recent ESP text "Always In Trouble" - hard to say whether he was at Birdland or listening to the radio?

Edited April 7, 2014 by romualdo

[Tom in RI]

Thanks guys. I had read the other thread but before the ESP reissue was mentioned. In any event, looks like I'll be re-buying this material.

[mjzee]

Just listened to disc 1. Track 14, Embraceable You, clearly shows radio static.

[Gheorghe]

As I remember the 1953 Birdland stuff, the february session is just incredible.

Another highlight are the tracks with Bird and Candido.

I think, that even on the last session from september 1953 Bud still had a lot to say, even if he had slowed down a bit. But the live versions of Un Poco Loco are very interesting as a comparation to the 1951 BN date.

[hbbfam]

Stumbled onto this release. It is listed as a 2 CD "complete". Differences? SQ?

https://www.discogs.com/release/800...Izz85UBd52b6OaFr1ypKH6Pr7AfVfyYg0KyfwDQYvDIYf

Bandcamp has it as a 3 CD/download.
Birdland 1953, by Bud Powell

I am certain the music is terrific. How is the SQ? Is the 2013 Bandcamp an upgrade?

[mjzee]

The ESP (available on Bandcamp) is licensed from the Powell estate, has corrected any pitch issues, and has dates with Bird and Dizzy not on the Fresh Sound "trio" release.  I'd go with the ESP.

[hbbfam]

Having acquired the Bandcamp download, I think the sound quality is remarkably good.  Great release of exceptional Bud.

[JSngry]

9 hours ago, mjzee said:

The ESP (available on Bandcamp) is licensed from the Powell estate, has corrected any pitch issues, and has dates with Bird and Dizzy not on the Fresh Sound "trio" release.  I'd go with the ESP.

This.

[Dub Modal]

Another vote for the Bandcamp download. Outstanding 

[hbbfam]

Anyone have a source for any of the "artwork"?  All I can find is the front cover for the 3CD set.

[RiRiIII]

On 2/24/2025 at 3:09 PM, Dub Modal said:

Another vote for the Bandcamp download. Outstanding 

It seems the Bandcamp download does not offer the booklet that comes with the Bandcamp CD...

 

Edited February 25 by RiRiIII

[Dub Modal]

2 hours ago, RiRiIII said:

It seems the Bandcamp download does not offer the booklet that comes with the Bandcamp CD...

 

Correct. That should be expected with most bandcamp purchases though. 

[Gheorghe]

The very best of early Bud Powell. I prefer this to all studio dates

[mjzee]

You can buy the 3 CD set direct from ESP: http://www.espdisk.com/bud-powell/4073.html  It would come with the booklet.

[jazzbo]

Good luck. I tried ordering from ESP Disk a few times in the last two years with no success (i. e. never got the cds).

[JSngry]

Amazon or Discogs might still have it.

 

[hbbfam]

The download worked seamlessly and thanks again for the back artwork.

[RiRiIII]

9 hours ago, hbbfam said:

The download worked seamlessly and thanks again for the back artwork.

You are welcome. I got it from Discogs.

[medjuck]

Ordered the cd and have dowloaded it.   Physical cd hasn't arrived yet but  I think most of the info in the booklet can be found on the Bandcamp site even if you haven't purchased it.  

[medjuck]

On 2/26/2025 at 8:46 AM, medjuck said:

Ordered the cd and have dowloaded it.   Physical cd hasn't arrived yet but  I think most of the info in the booklet can be found on the Bandcamp site even if you haven't purchased it.  

Well the cd has now arrived.  I was  wrong (I'm often wrong):   there are extensive notes in the booklet.  However I think all the important information regarding these performances is  on-line, though  the booklet contains much more about Powell's life and career. 

[RiRiIII]

2 hours ago, medjuck said:

Well the cd has now arrived.  I was  wrong (I'm often wrong):   there are extensive notes in the booklet.  However I think all the important information regarding these performances is  on-line, though  the booklet contains much more about Powell's life and career. 

Thank you. I just ordered the CD set too.