Powell was perhaps the first pianist to vocalize on the piano, meaning that he transfered his vocalized improvisations directly through his hands to the instrument. This gave his music a deep connection to time, which is an artifact of the human voice. Previously, horn players were more likely to express their improvisations vocally, as the mouth and breath are directly tied to the performance of horn players.
Powell suffered from Bi-Polar Disorder, and in November 1947, Powell was admitted to Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, where he stayed for more than a year, receiving electroconvulsive therapy which caused severe memory loss. The young Jackie McLean and Sonny Rollins became friendly with Powell on his release from the hospital, and Powell recommended McLean to Miles Davis. However, Powell suffered from mental illness throughout his life, and had a reputation for his strange behaviour. In fact his problems, exacerbated by a beating from the police in 1945 for being disorderly, could all be attributed to being a manic depressive, although his illness was almost certainly a key driver of his immense creative talent. He was also an alcoholic, and even small quantities of alcohol had a profound effect on his character, making him aggressive. Powell's continued rivalry with Charlie Parker, while essential to the production of brilliant music, was also the subject of disruptive feuding and bitterness on the bandstand, as a result of Powell's troubled mental and physical condition. He spent all of 1952 (and parts of many subsequent years) in a hospital. When he was out of the hospital, he was often locked up in a hotel room and was usually denied receiving the money he earned performing.
It is generally agreed that his best recordings are those made prior to 1954, both for Blue Note Records and for Norman Granz (at Mercury Records, Norgran Records, Clef Records and later on Verve Records).
After 1953 (when Powell attempted suicide), his style became darker and slower. Many jazz critics pronounced him "washed up" during the last decade of his career. There were a few recordings which never should have been issued (Verve from January 1955 and Roulette Oct. 1964). Still, he continued to play with great intensity even without the speed that made him famous in the 1940s. His late 1950s Blue Note recordings are recommended. Bud performed regularly with drummer Kenny Clarke and bassists Oscar Pettiford or Pierre Michelot. He performed brilliantly as a sideman for Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespie, and Dexter Gordon on recordings in the early 1960s. As late as 1962 he recorded concerts in Lausanne and Geneva, Switzerland, in which he played as brilliantly as he had played in the late 1940s. Powell moved to France in 1959, when his life was extended by several years under the care of a fan named Francis Paudras, whose book "Dance of the Infidels" is required reading for any Powell fan. Paudras' friendship produced many impromptu recordings and was the basis for the 1987 Bernard Tavenier film "Round Midnight", for which Dexter Gordon received a best actor Oscar nomination (as a fictional composite of Bud Powell and Lester Young).
Paudras and Powell returned to Birdland in the fall of 1964 to initial critical acclaim. Bud despised the drummer he had to play with and soon lost his regular engagement at Birdland. After Paudras returned to France without Powell, ESP-disk's founder became Bud's legal guardian, but let Bud self-destruct from late 1964 until his death in July, 1966. Bud's last recordings were a haunting, sparse "Round Midnight" from Carnegie Hall in March 1965 and other trio tracks from January 1966 on the mysterious "Ups 'n Downs" album.
He is survived by his daughter Celia, who has been reissuing Paudras' recordings of her father on the Pablo and Piadrum labels.
Taking a Chance On Love
Bud Powell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All aglow again, takin' a chance on love.
Here I slide again, about to take that ride again.
Starry-eyed again, takin' a chance on love.
I thought that cards were a frame-up, I never would try.
Now I'm taking that game up and the ace of hearts is high.
Things are mending now, I see a rainbow blending now.
Here I slip again, about to take that trip again.
I got that grip again, takin' a chance on love.
Now I prove again that I can make life move again.
Um - I'm in the groove again, takin' a chance on love.
I walk around with a horse shoe, in clover I lie.
And brother rabbit of course you better kiss your, foot good-bye.
On that ball again I'm ridin' for a fall again.
I'm gonna give my all again takin' a chance on love.
The song "Taking a Chance on Love" is a jazz standard that has been covered by many artists over the years. The lyrics describe the excitement and risk involved in falling in love. The song starts with the singer hearing trumpets and feeling hopeful and excited about the possibility of love. The lyrics then portray the singer as taking a risk by getting into a relationship, despite having previously thought that love was a "frame-up."
The chorus of the song highlights the singer's determination to make the most of this new chance at love, saying that things are "mending now" and "we'll have a happy ending now." The lyrics then describe the singer slipping and falling, but getting back up again with renewed determination and energy. The song ends with the singer saying that they are "taking a chance on love" and willing to give everything in order to make the relationship work.
Overall, "Taking a Chance on Love" is a classic jazz song that captures the thrill and uncertainty of falling in love. The upbeat rhythm and hopeful lyrics make it a popular choice for jazz musicians to perform.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I go again, I hear those trumpets blow again.
Once again, I am captivated by the sound of the trumpets, urging me to pursue a new romantic venture.
All aglow again, takin' a chance on love.
Despite past heartbreaks, I am filled with optimism and enthusiasm as I embark on another love affair.
Here I slide again, about to take that ride again.
I am about to venture into another unpredictable and thrilling romantic journey.
Starry-eyed again, takin' a chance on love.
I am once again feeling hopeful and enchanted as I take a risk and invest in a new romantic pursuit.
I thought that cards were a frame-up, I never would try.
In the past, I was skeptical of love and thought that it was just a deceptive game that I had no interest in playing.
Now I'm taking that game up and the ace of hearts is high.
But now, I have changed my mind and I am willing to take on the challenge of love, with full trust in the outcome.
Things are mending now, I see a rainbow blending now.
I can see that things are improving and the different facets of my life are gradually coming together to form a beautiful, harmonious picture.
We'll have a happy ending now, takin' a chance on love.
I am confident that this new love affair will lead to a joyful and fulfilled relationship, despite any potential risks involved.
Here I slip again, about to take that trip again.
Once again, I am putting myself in a vulnerable and uncertain situation by pursuing a romantic endeavor.
I got that grip again, takin' a chance on love.
But I am determined and steadfast in my pursuit, holding onto hope and pressing forward despite the risks.
Now I prove again that I can make life move again.
I am reasserting my confidence and abilities to take charge of my life and make progress towards my goals.
Um - I'm in the groove again, takin' a chance on love.
I am once again in a positive and productive mindset, willing to step out of my comfort zone and explore new possibilities for love.
I walk around with a horse shoe, in clover I lie.
I feel very lucky and fortunate in my life, and I am basking in an abundance of blessings and good fortune.
And brother rabbit of course you better kiss your, foot good-bye.
I am feeling powerful and confident, almost invincible, and would even dare the clever and elusive rabbit to try to thwart my good fortune.
On that ball again I'm ridin' for a fall again.
Despite the potential for heartbreak and disappointment, I am willing to take on the challenge of love and risk falling down in pursuit of something meaningful and fulfilling.
I'm gonna give my all again takin' a chance on love.
I am committing myself fully and completely to this new romantic pursuit, taking on the risks with my whole heart.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Latouche, Ted Fetter, Vernon Duke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind