1996
Bill Plays Bud

1. Melancholia 6:16
2. Un Poco Loco 5:26
3. Polka Dots and Moonbeams 8:49
4. Comin' Up 4:25
5. Hallucinations 6:05
6. Tempus Fugit 3:46
7. Sure Thing 4:49
8. 52nd St. Theme 6:01
9. Broderick 3:51
10. Dusk at Saudi 3:09
11. Willowgrove 4:17
12. Glass Enclosure 4:06

Bill Cunliffe - piano
Ralph Moore - sax (tracks 3 and 8)
Dave Carpenter - bass
Joe La Barbera - drums
Jose "Papo" Rodriguez - percussion (tracks 2, 4, 11)

Recorded and mixed by Talley Sherwood at Mad Hatter Studios, Los Angeles, CA

Bouncing With Bill. Chick Corea's recent tribute to Be Bop pioneer Bud Powell, Remembering Bud Powell (Concord/Stretch 9012-2) was a welcome tribute to the Charlie Parker/Dizzy Gillespie of the piano. Bud Powell, while constantly being critically acknowledged, has had relatively few program recordings of his music by other musicians. Joining Corea in recognizing Powell is the East Coast-West Coast pianist Bill Cunliffe.

Standard and Nonstandard Fare. The Cunliffe and Corea recordings share several Powell originals. Both boast "Tempus Fugit," "Glass Enclosure," and "Dusk in Saudi." "Willow Grove" is also represented on both discs. Each pianist includes a personal composition. But, where Corea confines himself to all original compositions; Cunliffe chooses to explore both rarer Powell compositions and jazz standards closely associated with Powell. "Coming Up" and "Sure Thing" are rarely heard Powell vehicles that are brought out for closer inspection by Cunliffe. "Tempus Fugit" and "Hallucinations" along with "Un Poco Loco" are capably interpreted, often with the original Powell arrangements.

Ralph Moore and More. Tenor Saxophonist Ralph Moore proves he is empathetic with both Powell and Cunliffe. His muscular support and solos on "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" and "52nd Street Theme" make this already excellent disc a gem. Dave Carpenter provides a solid bottom upon which Cunliffe rocks and croons; while Joe La Barbera and Papo Rodriguez provide the rhythmic direction. The music herein is personally played by musicians of great substance. The modest Naxos price should make this fine recording a must have.

–All About Jazz, C. Michael Bailey