11 Comments
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Ted Gioia's avatar

“Wail” has long been one of my favorite bop melodies. You’re doing great work in showcasing Bud Powell’s compositions, which are rarely heard and don’t get the credit they deserve.

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ETHAN IVERSON's avatar

thanks so much, Ted!

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Collin Van Ryn's avatar

Cool! Curious to know where this notation comes from - bars 7 and 8 don't sound like what I hear on The Amazing Bud Powell.

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ETHAN IVERSON's avatar

Hi Collin! It's been a minute.

Uh, the notation is mine, I transcribed it. I just re-listened and I think it's right, although I also would not swear to it, it's pretty fast, convoluted, and on a dusty record. To your point, I think, I *have* seen other versions where the half steps are different

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Charles Chen's avatar

this is what I have:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/j4eLa38GCM9BoAMC9

I compared with all takes of Wail along with Fool's Fancy, and I think this is right

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ETHAN IVERSON's avatar

I can't get sound on this for some reason...is the only difference the first three notes D, Db, C instead of my D, C, B?

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Charles Chen's avatar

that's one of the differences, the other difference is the two notes starting on the 4+ on bar 7, where I have B, Bb instead of Bb, A

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ETHAN IVERSON's avatar

Got it! Well I just fooled around with this at the piano, and you could be right, but I've played it so much, the way I wrote it is "true" for me LOL. When I play "my way" along with the master it seems OK. However, good point to check Fool's Fancy, although as I recall there are also subtle differences with the Bouncing With Bud alternate as well. If we had Bud himself playing the melody there wouldn't be any questions, it's those darn horns obscuring the issue!

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Charles Chen's avatar

lol i agree, I remember Fats's intonation messed with my transcribing on Dance of the Infidels

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Collin Van Ryn's avatar

I trust your ears! It's a wonderful phrase, anyway

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ETHAN IVERSON's avatar

certainly true that it is a wonderful phrase...

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