The Scene Changes

Pianist Bud Powell made several fine recordings for Blue Note during the 1950s, including The Scene Changes, his last album for the label in 1958. He’s joined by bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor on a handful of his own compositions. Powell is in excellent form, and there’s a simple elegance to the small setting with each of the players sharing equal space in the stereo spectrum. The title cut bops along at a snappy pace before taking time out toward the end for a Taylor solo, while “Down With It” is pushed forward by Powell’s forceful, driving rhythm. Extra touches here and there, like the piano intro on “Cleopatra’s Dream” and the drum roll that kicks off “Duid Deed,” lets the listener know these players are in the groove. Only “Boderick” sticks out as minor, and the fact that the players only devote two minutes to this parlor-piano piece seems to indicate they felt the same way. Powell, Chambers, and Taylor make amends for this on the eight-minute “Coming Up,” a medium-tempo piece with idiosyncratic piano lines and a thumping beat. The Scene Changes, Rovi – Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.