This Bud Powell video grabbed my attention when I found it on Youtube. I had never actually seen video of Bud playing, and his solo here is just outstanding. Anthropology is a Bird head on rhythm changes. I’ve been shedding rhythm changes myself recently, so getting a window into the mind of Bud was a huge boost for me. My whole conception is changed having taken the time to look closely at what he’s doing. So here’s some transcription love for you guys. I hope it helps you as much as it did me.
I’m only able to capture his right hand, because the quality of the recording isn’t superb. But the way these lines are constructed is unlike what I’ve run across before. I should point out, you gotta stick with this through the head. He sounds about like a sack of hammers playing the head, but then the clouds part as he opens up the first chorus. The first 8 bars in particular changed my conception pretty severely. The whole ride just burns.
He plays about seven choruses. I’m putting the PDFs up here as I finish them.
That's not Bud at his very best, but it's still pretty damn good. Thanks for posting this of my favourite musician of all time. I must get the DVD now.
Comment by lexo30 — November 17, 2008 @ 8:33 pm
Amazing
Comment by Paulasse8 — November 17, 2008 @ 3:36 pm
Incredible. 5 stars cause it don't go no higher
Comment by one4two5 — November 7, 2008 @ 8:45 pm
bud`s bowells...
Comment by thefatha — October 21, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
master of the DB
Comment by edlaksmi — October 19, 2008 @ 7:54 am
omg, two hands
Comment by oscarpkaka — October 5, 2008 @ 2:59 pm
Every great pianist after Bud dug him & learned. The genius of piano, the Bird of piano. If you can't dig him, my pity for you.
Comment by nakim55 — September 6, 2008 @ 2:41 am
damn, NHOP's just a kid in this and he still rocked a kick ass bassline
Comment by lilkrissy123 — September 3, 2008 @ 2:30 pm
This is classic Parker bebop dated back to 1945. Powell adds his own touch of rhythm which in essence is a great ode, if you will, to Yardbird! Although it sounds similar to Ornithology, this tune still speaks volumes to what jazz does to the music world today: it stands great on it's own! Peace!
Comment by CharlieHill — August 27, 2008 @ 9:42 pm
I appreciate your thoughts, but Ornithology is based on How High the Moon, and Anthropology is based on the changes (extended and alternate chords) of Gershwin's I Got Rhythm, as is exhaustively pointed out below.
Comment by BuckshotLaFunke — October 2, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
