One of the many frustrating ironies of jazz history has to do with Mel Powell. A superb swing pianist in the Earl Fatha Hines/Art Tatum/Teddy Wilson vein, Powell was at the height of his powers as a jazz improviser when, in the 1950s, he decided to retire from jazz and put his time and energy into classical music. Before making that decision, he recorded some inspired small-group swing dates for Vanguard in the early to mid-'50s. One of the CDs that illustrates the excellence of Powell's Vanguard output is It's Been So Long, which spans 1953-1956 and contains selections from four of his classic John Hammond-produced LPs (including Borderline and Out on a Limb). Joined by such accomplished soloists as trumpeter Buck Clayton, clarinetist Edmund Hall, and the Lester Young-influenced tenor saxman Paul Quinichette, Powell lets loose and really goes that extra mile. Not surprisingly, many of the songs are associated with Powell's one-time employer Benny Goodman, including Stompin' at the Savoy, Avalon, and If Dreams Come True. After his Vanguard sessions, Powell didn't record another jazz album as a leader until 1987's The Return of Mel Powell on Chiaroscuro. In Powell's case, jazz's loss was certainly classical's gain. ~ Alex Henderson, Rovi

1		s Wonderful
2		It's Been So Long
3		You'Re Lucky to Me
4		When Did You Leave Heaven
5		Makin' Whoopie
6		Borderline
7		Quin and Sonic
8		Pennies from Heaven
9		Avalon
10		Stompin' At the Savoy
11		Cross Your Heart
12		If Dreams Come True
13		Gone With the Wind
14		What's New
15		Cooch
16		Bunny Hug