The Lonely One... Explained

The Lonely One...
Type:studio
Artist:Bud Powell
Cover:Bud Powell - The Lonely One (album cover).jpg
Released:September 3, 1959
Recorded:January 13, April 25 & 27, 1955
Genre:Jazz
Length:34:17
Label:Verve
Producer:Norman Granz
Prev Title:Time Waits
Prev Year:1958
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Next Year:1959

The Lonely One... is a studio album by jazz pianist Bud Powell, released in 1959 by Verve.[1] [2] It contains three sessions that Powell recorded at Fine Sound Studios in New York in 1955.

The album was released as a CD replica by Verve (Japan) in 2006 (POCJ-2742). The sessions (with alternate takes) are also available on The Complete Bud Powell on Verve (1994) CD box-set.

History

The first three tracks here, with the four tracks that appeared on Piano Interpretations, complete the April 27 session as far as master takes go. "Willow Weep for Me" from the April 25 session had already appeared on Piano Interpretations.

Reception

The January 13 session has excited comment:A DownBeat reviewer remarked, "One of Powell's marked characteristics is his penchant for the unexpected—whether it be chord, arpeggio, or twisted line. This is no less true here," noting in particular the composition "Mediocre" because "Powell strides like Fats Waller in the left hand while paving tribute to Thelonious Monk in the right."[3]

A writer for Billboard stated: "the disk reveals some of Powell's remarkable piano work and some of his inconsistencies as well... A most interesting platter for the many Powell fans."[4]

Track listing 12" LP (MGV 8301)

All compositions by Bud Powell unless otherwise noted

Side A

  1. "Confirmation" (Charlie Parker)  - 4:24
  2. "Star Eyes" (Gene De Paul, Don Raye)  - 3:32
  3. "Lullaby in Rhythm" (Clarence Profit, Edgar Sampson, Benny Goodman, Walter Hirsch)  - 3:53
  4. "Willow Weep for Me" (Ann Ronnell)  - 4:43
  5. "Mediocre"  - 2:59

Side B

  1. "All the Things You Are" (Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II)  - 3:33
  2. "Epistrophy" (Thelonious Monk, Kenny Clarke)  - 3:03
  3. "Dance of the Infidels"  - 2:21
  4. "Salt Peanuts" (Dizzy Gillespie, Clarke)  - 2:22
  5. "Hey George" (aka "Sweet Georgia Brown") (Maceo Pinkard, Kenneth Casey)  - 3:27

Personnel

Performance

April 27, 1955, side A tracks 1-3. April 25, 1955, side A track 4. Fine Sound Studios, New York.

January 13, 1955, side A track 5 and side B tracks 1-5. Fine Sound Studios, New York.

Production

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Togashi, Nobuaki . Matsubayashi, Kohji . Hatta, Masayuki . Bud Powell Discography (MGV 8301). . 2009-06-13 .
  2. Reviews and Ratings of New Albums . Billboard . June 29, 1959 . Nielsen Business Media, Inc. . 38 . Google Books.
  3. News: September 3, 1959 . The Lonely One . . 27.
  4. June 29, 1959 . Reviews and Ratings of New Albums . Billboard . 38 . Google Books.