BeBop Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 I find scattered comments 'round here on this question, but thought I'd solicit a more cohesive discussion. Since the BN/Roost box came out, lots of this material has appeared in RVGs. I don't care all that much about getting 'every scrap'; I'd rather get the best presentation and sound quality. (This is actually for a friend/pianist's birthday.) The Verve box doesn't seem all that cheap anywhere, though the BN/Roost box is. Go figure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 I've replaced the BN box with RVGs and one TOCJ of the Roost material. I prefer the sound this way. I love the Verve box. . . I bought it the day it was released and it's one of the box sets they got right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.A.W. Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 Get the Blue Note/Roost box, it's cheap, in my opinion it's musically better than the Verve material and, again in my opinion, the sound is good enough, considering the age of the recordings. The mastering was done by Malcolm Addey (discs 1 and 2) and Wally Traugott (discs 3 and 4). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate Dorward Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 Are the Roost recordings available elsewhere? They're the main reason to have the Blue Note/Roost box. The packaging's nothing special, the sound has been improved on the RVG releases (though it's fine, all things considered). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John L Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 Another argument in favor of the single disc route: there are additional alternate takes that didn't make it to the "complete" Blue Note box, but can be found on the essential RVG The Amazing Bud Powell Volume 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 Are the Roost recordings available elsewhere? They're the main reason to have the Blue Note/Roost box. The packaging's nothing special, the sound has been improved on the RVG releases (though it's fine, all things considered). These were available on cd in the US, long deleted. Also have been available in a very nice lp facilmile edition (with additional tracks not on the original releases) from Japan, and in a jewel case version from Japan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.A.W. Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 (edited) The early U.S. release with the Roost tracks can be obtained cheaply from Amazon Marketplace sellers. Those tracks were also available on several Japanese releases, including jewel case versions and at least one facsimile mini-LP sleeve CD issue. Edited September 28, 2008 by J.A.W. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenLowe Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 the Roost stuff is scary, though interestingly his ballad playing is still somewhat undeveloped - sounds better on the Blue Notes - there is an early version of Somebody Loves Me on the Roosts (I think) that I have a feeling is probably the closest thing to hearing what he sounded like in person back then - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeweil Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 "Bud Plays Bird", which remained unreleased on Roost, is not in the box, but I'd recommend it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeweil Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 (edited) the Roost stuff is scary, though interestingly his ballad playing is still somewhat undeveloped - sounds better on the Blue Notes - there is an early version of Somebody Loves Me on the Roosts (I think) that I have a feeling is probably the closest thing to hearing what he sounded like in person back then - When I hear these early Roost sessions I always get mad thinking what would have become of him if the cops hadn't beaten him up ... that version of Monk's "Off Minor" has not been topped - bebop fluency with Monk's music is scary to me, in a positive sense! There is a video from that time where one can see that he was just as accomplished on the keyboard as Tatum - as if the keys moved ten times as easily as with an average pianist. Such fluent piano talents come about half a dozen in a century - to me, Bud was one of them. Edited September 28, 2008 by mikeweil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Englewood Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 "Bud Plays Bird", which remained unreleased on Roost, is not in the box, but I'd recommend it. Ditto to that, "Bud Plays Bird" is a great little album. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Late Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 The Roost material is coming out once again in Japan — a mini-LP, this time on the new SHM plastic. The price is 2700¥ (going by memory), and the release date is some time in November. I'm tempted. The TOCJ that Lon has is excellent as well. I've never heard the U.S. edition. Sound allright? I just picked up Inner Fires last week. Strange sound (not bad, just strange), and amazing playing. I haven't heard a live 1953 date that (to me) isn't amazing so far. Bud was in incredible form that year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B. Goren. Posted September 29, 2008 Report Share Posted September 29, 2008 "Bud Plays Bird", which remained unreleased on Roost, is not in the box, but I'd recommend it. Ditto to that, "Bud Plays Bird" is a great little album. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crisp Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 The Verve box has now been given a budget reissue in the EU. £16.13 for 5 discs at Amazon UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ubu Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 Would be good to know if the terrific and huge booklet of the original edition is included here as well .... it's one of the finest ever, I think, would be a true loss! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ayers Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 http://universalmusic.it/jazz/artista/discografia/?ida=307054 It just says there is a booklet with complete discographical information. Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clunky Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 The Verve box has now been given a budget reissue in the EU. £16.13 for 5 discs at Amazon UK. Much good music but also considerable chaff amongst the wheat. This set is a warts and more warts approach to Bud. It needed braver editorial decisions. Sometimes less really is more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Head Man Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 (edited) The Verve box has now been given a budget reissue in the EU. £16.13 for 5 discs at Amazon UK. Much good music but also considerable chaff amongst the wheat. This set is a warts and more warts approach to Bud. It needed braver editorial decisions. Sometimes less really is more. Agreed. I find that his albums for Blue Note plus the two he made for RCA, 'Strictly Powell' and 'Swingin' with Bud', are more than enough for me. Edited February 8, 2014 by Head Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crisp Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Would be good to know if the terrific and huge booklet of the original edition is included here as well .... it's one of the finest ever, I think, would be a true loss! I'm quite hopeful. The Brown, Jarrett and Parker boxes each had cheapo facsimiles of the original books (as far as I could tell). Mine was dispatched today so I'll report back when it arrives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crisp Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 (edited) Just received it. There is a booklet but it's only the tracklisting (looks like it was copied from the original). Edited February 9, 2014 by crisp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John L Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 The Verve box has now been given a budget reissue in the EU. £16.13 for 5 discs at Amazon UK. Much good music but also considerable chaff amongst the wheat. This set is a warts and more warts approach to Bud. It needed braver editorial decisions. Sometimes less really is more. Agreed. I find that his albums for Blue Note plus the two he made for RCA, 'Strictly Powell' and 'Swingin' with Bud', are more than enough for me. Well... while the point about the inconsistency of the Verve recordings is a good one, the early Verve dates from 1949-1951 are really as good as it gets. If I could have only one set of Bud Powell recordings, that would be it. I couldn't imagine any Bud Powell fan being content without them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clunky Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 (edited) The Verve box has now been given a budget reissue in the EU. £16.13 for 5 discs at Amazon UK. Much good music but also considerable chaff amongst the wheat. This set is a warts and more warts approach to Bud. It needed braver editorial decisions. Sometimes less really is more. Agreed. I find that his albums for Blue Note plus the two he made for RCA, 'Strictly Powell' and 'Swingin' with Bud', are more than enough for me. Well... while the point about the inconsistency of the Verve recordings is a good one, the early Verve dates from 1949-1951 are really as good as it gets. If I could have only one set of Bud Powell recordings, that would be it. I couldn't imagine any Bud Powell fan being content without them. I'd be happy with these sessions , without the rest Edited February 9, 2014 by Clunky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ubu Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Would be good to know if the terrific and huge booklet of the original edition is included here as well .... it's one of the finest ever, I think, would be a true loss! I'm quite hopeful. The Brown, Jarrett and Parker boxes each had cheapo facsimiles of the original books (as far as I could tell). Mine was dispatched today so I'll report back when it arrives. The new Basie set (Decca) has the booklet too - says so on the site of Universal Italy. So yes, I'd be hopeful, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Berger Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Agreed - the early Verve stuff is essential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crisp Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 The new Basie set (Decca) has the booklet too - says so on the site of Universal Italy. So yes, I'd be hopeful, too. See my post from this morning -- sadly, no full booklet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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