Customer Reviews

Genius of Charlie Parker

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I want to make a correction on the fine review that was written below. While the tracks on this CD are all master takes, not all of the Savoy master takes cut by Parker are presented. Besides the absence of any master takes from sessions recorded under Tiny Grimes or Miles Davis, such classic tracks like "Billie's Bounce," "Now's The Time," and the absolutely essential "Parker's Mood" are not included, as well as lesser-known greats like "Cheryl," "Steeplechase," and "Marmaduke." It's actually a travesty that these tracks were passed over for the Slim Gaillard tracks, which aren't bad, but aren't a good representation of Bird's music.

While there's no arguing that most of the material here is great, it isn't really a sensibly compiled CD, which is why I can only recommend it to those who intend to buy all of the Parker CD's by Denon Records. When the Savoy catalog was bought by Denon Records a couple of years ago, they decided to release Parker's material on CD reissues of the original Lp's pressed in the 60's, long after Parker's death. These Lp's were somewhat haphazard collections of his 78 rpm records (the other titles also contained numerous alternate tracks). Furthermore, since these CD's were exact replicas of these Lp's, they are just as long, clocking in at a mere half hour or so.

These CD's still have some things going for them. The presentation is certainly attractive, particularly the replica Lp sleeves. Also, the sound is as good as can be, having been remastered with Denon's own 20-bit Masterphonic system from the best available sources. While not quite as clean as the processed sound on Rhino's "Yardbird Suite," the sound is warmer with a better dynamic range (and the noise is only that noticeable on headphones).

Currently, there's no domestic issue that features all of Bird's Savoy master takes, much less the complete sessions, but rumor has it that Warner Bros. has one in the works. You could get the unauthorized CD's produced by the independent label, Definitive Records, from the small European country Andorra, of all places. The 2-CD set "Complete Master Takes" is becoming widely available, and it has 24-bit sound, but like I said, it's an unauthorized version, so the source material isn't the absolute best.

Personally, I'd get "Yardbird Suite" if you're a casual fan or a new listener. If you want all of Bird's Savoy material with the best sound, pick up all the Denon CD's. Just don't pick up this one CD and this one CD only, expecting complete satisfaction.

"The Genius of Charlie Parker" is the perfect compilation for those interested in discovering Bird's music. On Verve compilations like "Essential Charlie Parker" you get a quintet track, then a strings track and then a big band track, and the result is a lack of continuity. This CD takes all of Bird's Master Takes for Savoy and brings them together. Another bonus is you don't have to program around umpteen alternate takes, which unless you're a jazz fanatic is probably a welocome relief. The only detractor on this release is the last few tracks featuring Slim Gaillard on vocals. The music is good but the often spoken lyrics seem to be trapped in their time period. The rest of the music of course is timeless.

This consists of various sessions in he late 40s of our man with the likes of Miles, Diz, Dodo, and Slim Gilliard. The version of "Barbados" is so mellow and sweet that even non-bebop fans (like me) will dig.

The Slim Gilliard tunes are also quite entertaining. One of jazz's great clown princes (almost up there with Louis Jordan), he and Parker, Diz and co. get wild with comic tunes such as "Poppity Pop" and Gilliard's comedy jazz classic "Flat Foot Floogie." If this doesn't get you going, nothing will.

Incidentally, on "Slim's Jam," we actually get to hear the Bird-man of Kansas City speak in a bit of dialogue with Slim. Really interesting, as is this Cd itself.

This collection comes from Parker's Savoy and Dial recordings. Unlike the After Midnight compilation (Verve - also reviewed by me), these two CD's feature ONLY small groups (with sidemen like Miles Davis, Dizzie Gillespie,. . .). The songs are mostly very up-tempo, and the solos are barn burners. These songs include all the instrumental standards most commonly associated with Parker, like Ornithology, Scrapple from the Apple, and KoKo, so this is a great way to get them all in one place for a very reasonable price. The production quality varies between fairly good and mediocre - it can be difficult to hear piano and bass, particularly on the radio performances. That quibble aside, this collection is a very affordable way to buy a jam-packed survey of Parker's post-orchestral work.

Still the only early bop blower who wholly transcends the limited genre for me, and perhaps only second to Coltrane when it comes to all time commanding Jazz soloists, Parker's genius contributions are such that all but the most over-researching fans can merely stand by and grab any scratchy-sounding droppings record executives wish to compile for cash.

diz, bird & monk (& charlie rich??) This recording is also available on Verve as "Bird & Diz" That issue has more outtakes and decent sound. This one is 24 bit but since it's in mono you wouldn't notice much different. Save yourself a few bones and get the domestic release.

Excellent and varied selection of a mixture of studio and "live" recordings. A good basic addition to any jazz record collection.