Bud Powell's playing in the late '50s (just prior to his move to Paris) found the troubled pianist in erratic form, often struggling to make it through songs he had written. However, his three Blue Note recordings from the era (which include the slightly later
Time Waits and
The Scene Changes) feature
Powell in surprisingly inspired form; all of the releases have since been reissued on a comprehensive CD set.
Bud! (which is subtitled
The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 3) has five trio performances with bassist
Paul Chambers and drummer
Art Taylor (highlighted by "Bud on Bach" and "Some Soul") and three standards on which the group is joined by trombonist
Curtis Fuller. This strong bop set is well worth getting. ~ Scott Yanow