Next up in the alphabetical LP project are recordings by Paul Bley.  I studied with Paul in 1995-1996 at NEC, and really, really enjoyed it.  I was already a fan by that time, having first checked him out on his Live at Sweet Basil CD (starring an absolutely on fire Red Mitchell, incredible John Abercrombie, and the great Barry Altschul – I love his drumming).  It was truly a dream come true to get to spend a year learning from him.  Like all of my favorite (and therefore, “best”) teachers, I am still learning from him.  He said many profound things to me during that time…

So, the LPs are:

• Turning Point – Incredible versions of several Carla Bley tunes and unbelievable Gary Peacock (is there such a thing as not unbelievable?).  Here, Bley’s “Mr. Joy” is something of a “Poinciana,” groove-wise.  The “Ida Lupino” on this record is extraordinary, truly one of his best, and there are many versions in his discography.  If you haven’t checked out Suzanne Abbuehl’s version (on April; having almost nothing to do with Paul Bley), you are missing out.
• Copenhagen and Haarlem – fascinating trio record with a very long “Mr. Joy.”  Kent Carter – who I love, particularly on Steve Lacy recordings – seems to be predicting Harvie S. (formerly Harvie Swartz)’s playing (on Steve Kuhn albums, especially).
• Open, To Love – Paul’s first record with ECM is a lovely solo piano performance.  In particular, “Ida Lupino” is gorgeous.
• Paul Bley/NHOP – a duo recording with the great Danish bassist, Niels Henning Orsted Pederson.  I remember not really liking this record when I got it, although now I’m not sure why.  It’s great.  NHOP plays beautifully, and it’s wonderful to hear Paul – in this style – on electric piano.
• Paul Bley & Scorpio – Speaking of electric piano, here’s Paul on piano, ARP Synthesizer, and RMI and Fender-Rhodes electric pianos with Dave Holland on double bass (do I hear a touch of wah wah pedal?) and Barry Altschul on drums.  A very interesting record.
• Quiet Song – an IAI LP; very very quiet and slow moving.  Giuffre is amazing as always.  I know so little about Bill Connors, it’s great to hear him.  This is right after he left Return to Forever.  Bley is back to piano on this record, playing quite a lot of it from inside of the piano.
• Japan Suite – a fantastic trio date with Peacock and Altschul.
• Axis – lovely solo piano recording.
• Tears – the quietest Paul Bley record I own.

I know I’ll eventually get to the rest of the LP collection, and then there are the CDs…, but in the meantime, I love Bley’s playing on Sonny Meets Hawk, Bley’s In the Evenings Out There, the duo record with Chet Baker (which I have on LP, but started blogging about the LP collection after I got past the Baker section; Chet Baker with Strings is one of those records and is amazing – no Bley on that one though) called Diane.  I also have some Lee Konitz recordings with Paul.  In fact, I saw Konitz and Bley with Mark Johnson at the Blue Note a few years ago – amazing.

Best, R.