Doc Powell - The Doctor (2015) [Hi-Res]

The recording of this session with “The Doctor” was memorable for me in many ways. Firstly, Doc Powell was so well prepared and in command of his music that the whole album sailed through in about six hours!... Thereby leaving me with very little production work and able to concentrate on the sheer sound and the joy of his masterful talent.

Secondly, it was our first session to include “JULIUS” - the pet name for our newly arrived 1930 BLUTHNER 9 foot 3 concert-grand, the rarest piece of Julius Bluthner’s Aliquot-strung genius in piano design. (“Aliquot” refers mainly to the upper two treble octaves having a suspended fourth string which is not struck by the hammers but is tuned for sympathetic vibration and also coupled to the damper functions.) Rodney Franklin fell instantly in love with our Bluthner and, no doubt, Julius inspired him to tremendous heights in his performance.

Impeccable indeed was Doc’s choice of the other sidemen; with Reggie Hamilton on basses - (he plays a custom-built upright “electric-stick” and guitar - style bass on various numbers) and Michael Baker on drums made for a star-studded backing group... who, generously, allow Doc to shine in the forefront.

Third & Lastly, I was personally honored that Doc chose to amplify his Gibson 335 guitar through a stock VTL 80 watt amplifier driving our (custom) cabinet which contains both a 12” and an 18” ElectroVoice Speaker combination. What an enjoyable session! David Manley, California, 1992