Paul Bley

For a first time on one CD, the first recordings of Paul Bley under his own name.

The musical life of Canadian pianist Paul Bley has been a something of success story since the beginning. He made these first recordings under his own name in the bebop idiom with such great artists as Charles Mingus, Art Blakey, Percy Heath, Peter Ind or Al Levitt but his advanced concept and playing became soon associated with the burgeoning avant-garde and free jazz movement, which he has gone on to develop throughout his life and music. For over fifty years, Bley has remained on the cutting edge of creative music and has always been drawn to the most innovative players around.

Tracklisting:

1. Like some one in love (Burke-Van Heusen) 4:08
2. Opus 1 (P.Bley) 4:12
3. Walkin’ (R.Carpenter) 4:32
4. Spontaneous combustion (P.Bley) 4:18
5. Split Kick (H.Silver) 3:07
6. I can’t get started (Duke-Gershwin) 3:40
7. Santa Claus is coming to town (Gillespie-Coots) 3:37
8. Drum one (P.Bley) 2:23
9. Autumn breeze (M.Jackson) 3:08
10. That old feeling (L.Brown-S.Fain) 2:38
11. There will never been another you (H.Warren-M.Gordon) 5:45
12. My old flame (S.Coslow-A.Johnston) 3:28
13. Topsy (E.W.Battle-E-Durham) 2:41
14. My heart stood still (P.Bley) 2:40
15. Time on my hands (Youmans-Gordon-Adamson) 3:30
16. This can’t be love (Rodgers-Hart) 3:09
17. My one and only (Gershwin) 6:44
18. I want to be happy (Youmans-Caesar) 2:17
19. 52nd Street Theme (T.Monk)

Tracks #1-7: Paul Bley (p), Charles Mingus (b), Art Blakey (d). Recorded in NYC, November 30, 1953.

#8-14: Paul Bley (p), Percy Heath (b), Al Levitt (d). Recorded in NYC, February 3 (8-9), August 27 (10-14), 1953.

#15-19: Paul Bley (p), Peter Ind (b), Al Levitt (d). Recorded in NYC, August 30, 1953.