Description
Bud Powell – Time Waits (The Amazing Bud Powell) – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
Recorded in May 1958 and released later that year on Blue Note Records, Time Waits (The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 4) finds legendary bebop pianist Bud Powell in a period of artistic resilience. By the late 1950s, Powell had endured years of personal and health struggles, yet his brilliance as one of the true architects of modern jazz piano still shone brightly. This album, often overshadowed by his earlier trailblazing sessions, remains a gem within his catalog—highlighting his lyrical touch, harmonic sophistication, and deeply personal voice on the instrument.
The session features Powell in a trio setting with Sam Jones on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums—an inspired rhythm section that balances swing, sensitivity, and drive. Philly Joe, best known for his work with Miles Davis’s first great quintet, brings crisp, fiery drumming that complements Powell’s lines without ever overwhelming them. Sam Jones provides a steady, resonant foundation, anchoring Powell’s flights with subtle authority.
The album opens with the title track, “Time Waits”, a flowing original that exemplifies Powell’s melodic inventiveness and rhythmic command. The tune has become one of his most memorable compositions: lyrical yet harmonically rich, full of forward momentum while retaining a sense of introspection. From the outset, Powell’s phrasing feels both relaxed and exacting, proof of his unique ability to combine bebop complexity with lyrical grace.
Other standout originals include “Buster Rides Again”, a high-energy bop workout that brims with technical brilliance, and “Sub City”, a darker, more contemplative piece that showcases Powell’s sensitivity to mood. The album also contains “Monopoly”, where intricate lines unfurl effortlessly, underscoring Powell’s role as a foundational figure in bebop piano vocabulary. “John’s Abbey”, dedicated to his brother Richie Powell (who died tragically in 1956 in the same car accident that killed Clifford Brown), is a moving closer—bittersweet and deeply personal, reminding listeners of Powell’s enduring emotional depth.
Unlike Powell’s explosive early recordings, Time Waits carries a more reflective tone. His touch is lighter, sometimes almost hesitant, yet always expressive. Critics often point out that by 1958, Powell’s playing showed signs of wear from years of mental health struggles and institutionalization, but albums like Time Waits reveal how even a “diminished” Powell was still capable of profound artistry. His harmonic choices, rhythmic subtleties, and ability to shape a solo remain unmatched.
Historically, the Amazing Bud Powell series on Blue Note is essential to understanding the development of modern jazz piano. Volumes 1 and 2 (recorded in the late 1940s and early 1950s) showcased Powell at his fiery peak, essentially translating the innovations of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie to the piano. By the time of Vol. 4, Time Waits, his style had mellowed, but the sophistication of his musical ideas had not waned. This album bridges the bebop revolution of the 1940s with the more reflective post-bop sensibilities that were taking shape in the late 1950s.
While not as frequently cited as The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 1 or his early masterpiece The Genius of Bud Powell, Time Waits deserves recognition as a deeply rewarding listen. It captures a master in mid-to-late career, grappling with personal struggles yet still offering music of clarity, beauty, and historical significance. For jazz fans, pianists, and students of bebop, it remains a vital document of Powell’s genius.
Time Waits reminds us that Bud Powell’s influence on modern jazz piano was not confined to his early years. Even as his health declined, his artistry remained profound. The album is both a celebration of bebop’s golden age and a testament to Powell’s enduring creativity—a snapshot of a jazz innovator still pushing forward in 1958.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Buster Rides Again
Sub City
Time Waits
Marmalade
Monopoly
John’s Abbey
Dry Soul
Sub City (Alternate Master)
