Mel Powell • It's Been So Long

 

One of the many frustrating ironies of jazz history has to do with Mel Powell. A superb swing pianist in the Earl "Fatha" Hines/Art Tatum/Teddy Wilson vein, Powell was at the height of his powers as a jazz improviser when, in the 1950s, he decided to retire from jazz and put his time and energy into classical music. Before making that decision, he recorded some inspired small-group swing dates for Vanguard in the early to mid-'50s. One of the CDs that illustrates the excellence of Powell's Vanguard output is It's Been So Long, which spans 1953-1956 and contains selections from four of his classic John Hammond-produced LPs (including Borderline and Out on a Limb). Joined by such accomplished soloists as trumpeter Buck Clayton, clarinetist Edmund Hall, and the Lester Young-influenced tenor saxman Paul Quinichette, Powell lets loose and really goes that extra mile. Not surprisingly, many of the songs are associated with Powell's one-time employer Benny Goodman, including "Stompin' at the Savoy," "Avalon," and "If Dreams Come True." After his Vanguard sessions, Powell didn't record another jazz album as a leader until 1987's The Return of Mel Powell on Chiaroscuro. In Powell's case, jazz's loss was certainly classical's gain. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
https://www.allmusic.com/album/its-been-so-long-mw0000667736

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Una de las muchas ironías frustrantes de la historia del jazz tiene que ver con Mel Powell. Powell, un magnífico pianista de swing en la vena Earl "Fatha" Hines/Art Tatum/Teddy Wilson, estaba en el apogeo de sus poderes como improvisador de jazz cuando, en la década de 1950, decidió retirarse del jazz y dedicar su tiempo y energía a la música clásica. Antes de tomar esa decisión, grabó algunas fechas inspiradas de swing en grupos pequeños para Vanguard a principios y mediados de los 50. Uno de los CD que ilustra la excelencia de la producción vanguardista de Powell es It's Been So Long, que abarca 1953-1956 y contiene selecciones de cuatro de sus clásicos LP producidos por John Hammond (incluidos Borderline y Out on a Limb). Acompañado por solistas tan consumados como el trompetista Buck Clayton, el clarinetista Edmund Hall y el saxofonista tenor Paul Quinichette influenciado por Lester Young, Powell se suelta y realmente hace un esfuerzo adicional. No es de extrañar que muchas de las canciones estén asociadas con el antiguo empleador de Powell, Benny Goodman, incluidas "Stompin' at the Savoy"," Avalon " y " If Dreams Come True."Después de sus sesiones de Vanguard, Powell no grabó otro álbum de jazz como líder hasta The Return of Mel Powell on Claroscuro de 1987. En el caso de Powell, la pérdida del jazz fue ciertamente la ganancia de la música clásica. ~ Alex Henderson, Guía de toda la Música
https://www.allmusic.com/album/its-been-so-long-mw0000667736

Tracks:
01.'S Wonderful - George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin  - 4:14
02.It's Been So Long - Harold Adamson / Walter Donaldson - 3:44
03.You're Lucky To Me - Eubie Blake / Andy Razaf  - 4:54
04.When Did You Leave Heaven - Walter Bullock / Richard A. Whiting  - 3:38
05.Makin' Whoopie - Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn  - 4:50
06.Borderline - 3:29
07.Quin And Sonic - Mel Powell - 3:44
08.Pennies From Heaven - Johnny Burke / Arthur Johnston  - 3:54
09.Avalon - Buddy DeSylva / Al Jolson / Vincent Rose  - 3:38
10.Stompin' At The Savoy - Benny Goodman / Andy Razaf / Edgar Sampson / Chick Webb  - 3:39
11.Cross Your Heart - Buddy DeSylva / Lewis Gensler  - 2:19
12.If Dreams Come True - Benny Goodman / Irving Mills / Edgar Sampson  - 3:42
13.Gone With The Wind - Allie Wrubel - 2:52
14.What's New - Johnny Burke / Bob Haggart  - 8:46
15.Cooch - Mel Powell - 2:57
16.Bunny Hug - Mel Powell - 3:58

Total time: 65:06
Recording Date: 1953 - 1956

Credits:
    Bass – Arnold Fishkin (tracks: 8, 10, 13, 15, 16), Joe Kay (4) (tracks: 4), Walter Page (tracks: 1 to 3)
    Clarinet – Edmond Hall* (tracks: 1 to 3), Michael "Peanuts" Hucko* (tracks: 8, 10, 13, 15, 16)
    Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Chuck Russo (tracks: 4)
    Compilation Producer, Liner Notes – Steve Buckingham
    Drums – Bobby Donaldson (tracks: 5 to 16), Eddie Phyfe (tracks: 4), Jimmy Crawford (tracks: 1 to 3)
    French Horn – Jimmy Buffington* (tracks: 4)
    Guitar – Mundell Lowe (tracks: 4), Steve Jordan (3) (tracks: 1 to 3), Tommy Kay (tracks: 8, 10, 13, 15, 16)
    Piano – Mel Powell
    Tenor Saxophone – Nick Caiazza (tracks: 8, 10, 13, 15, 16), Paul Quinichette (tracks: 5 to 7, 9, 11, 12, 14)
    Trombone – Henderson Chambers (tracks: 1 to 3)
    Trumpet – Al Mattaliano (tracks: 8, 10, 13, 15, 16), Buck Clayton (tracks: 1 to 3), John Glasel (tracks: 4)

Recording Date
1953 - 1956

Booklet

Notes:
1 - Mel Powell Septet*– - 'S Wonderful
Bass – Walter Page
Clarinet – Edmund Hall*
Drums – Jimmy Crawford
Guitar – Steve Jordan (3)
Piano – Mel Powell
Trombone – Henderson Chambers
Trumpet – Buck Clayton

2 - Mel Powell Septet*– - It's Been So Long
Bass – Walter Page
Clarinet – Edmund Hall*
Drums – Jimmy Crawford
Guitar – Steve Jordan (3)
Piano – Mel Powell
Trombone – Henderson Chambers
Trumpet – Buck Clayton

3 - Mel Powell Septet*– - You're Lucky To Me
Bass – Walter Page
Clarinet – Edmund Hall*
Drums – Jimmy Crawford
Guitar – Steve Jordan (3)
Piano – Mel Powell
Trombone – Henderson Chambers
Trumpet – Buck Clayton

4 - Mel Powell Band*– - When Did You Leave Heaven
Bass – Joe Kay (4)
Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Chuck Russo
Drums – Eddie Phyfe
French Horn – Jimmy Buffington*
Guitar – Mundell Lowe
Piano – Mel Powell
Trumpet – John Glasel

5 - Mel Powell Trio– - Makin' Whoopie
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Piano – Mel Powell
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Quinichette

6 - Mel Powell Trio– - Borderline
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Piano – Mel Powell
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Quinichette

7 - Mel Powell Trio– - Quin And Sonic
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Piano – Mel Powell
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Quinichette

8 - Mel Powell Septet*– - Pennies From Heaven
Bass – Arnold Fishkin
Clarinet – Michael "Peanuts" Hucko*
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Guitar – Tommy Kay
Piano – Mel Powell
Tenor Saxophone – Nick Caiazza
Trumpet – Al Mattaliano

9 - Mel Powell Trio– - Avalon
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Piano – Mel Powell
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Quinichette

10 - Mel Powell Septet*– - Stompin' At The Savoy
Bass – Arnold Fishkin
Clarinet – Michael "Peanuts" Hucko*
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Guitar – Tommy Kay
Piano – Mel Powell
Tenor Saxophone – Nick Caiazza
Trumpet – Al Mattaliano

11 - Mel Powell Trio– - Cross Your Heart
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Piano – Mel Powell
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Quinichette

12 - Mel Powell Trio– - If Dreams Come True
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Piano – Mel Powell
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Quinichette

13 - Mel Powell Septet*– - Gone With The Wind
Bass – Arnold Fishkin
Clarinet – Michael "Peanuts" Hucko*
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Guitar – Tommy Kay
Piano – Mel Powell
Tenor Saxophone – Nick Caiazza
Trumpet – Al Mattaliano

14 - Mel Powell Trio– - What's New
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Piano – Mel Powell
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Quinichette

15 - Mel Powell Septet*– - Cooch
Bass – Arnold Fishkin
Clarinet – Michael "Peanuts" Hucko*
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Guitar – Tommy Kay
Piano – Mel Powell
Tenor Saxophone – Nick Caiazza
Trumpet – Al Mattaliano

16 - Mel Powell Septet*– - Bunny Hug
Bass – Arnold Fishkin
Clarinet – Michael "Peanuts" Hucko*
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Guitar – Tommy Kay
Piano – Mel Powell
Tenor Saxophone – Nick Caiazza
Trumpet – Al Mattaliano

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