Jazz at the Philharmonic 1949 [Live]

Charlie Parker | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 12, 1993)
• Original Release Date: 1949
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000046R1
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,221 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After you've heard one--(But on the other hand...), May 9, 2003

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jazz at the Philharmonic 1949 (Audio CD)

[Recently the "doctored" recording of Bird playing a marathon solo of "Lester Leaps In" in the Clint Eastwood film "Bird" (played by Forest Whittaker) raised numerous questions since Bird recorded the tune only twice according to my research, and he rarely chose to play more than one or two choruses, whether on stage or in the studio. Yet he improvises for a full nine 32-bar choruses on the movie soundtrack. The mystery was finally solved. The original "Lester" was from a 1952 amateur recording on which Lennie Niehaus had removed the rhythm section, replacing them with a new one led by pianist Monty Alexander. Others may disagree, but I would have to recommend Bird's solo on the 1949 JATP date ahead of either the original 9-chorus solo or the doctored 9-chorus solo of the late 1980s' Eastwood movie. On the present solo, it's admittedly a challenge but the listener need no be overwhelmed by the solo. It's 4 instead of 9 choruses (Lester, Roy Eldridge, Hank Jones also need solo time), and the tempo is slightly slower--just enough to make it possible to follow Bird's intricate patterns and phrasings as well as the structural development of the solo.]

What follows is my original review:

Rarely do I feel the urge to play another one of the records by Norman Granz' traveling production--the same tunes, same chord changes, same format, same musicians, same sub-par audio reproduction. But this one is the exception (the Stan Getz-J.J. Johnson edition is also pretty good) for a couple of simple, but singular, reasons: Bird and Ella. To the experienced ear, Bird flies way above the growling tenors, the screeching trumpets, the raucous crowd, and demonstrates why he's the best improvisor in the history of jazz. Moreover, the audio on this session, while admittedly "lo fi," is a notch above similar outings, including the one of Bird traveling with the group in 1946. Not only does the session provide an opportunity to hear Bird play in a live, extended format, but it's unique in including him with Ella on a couple of the tunes.

This is not one of Bird's legendary, "perfect" solos on "Embraceable You," but it's a simply dazzling improvisation by him on "Lester Leaps In," light years ahead of the other musicians and in the league of Tatum's harmonies at their most complex and sophisticated. (Lest there be any misunderstanding, Bird's is the third horn to solo on "Lester Leaps In," after Lester himself and trombonist Tommy Turk and before trumpeter Roy Eldridge, who goes 4th, and Flip Phillips, who serves as the 5th and final horn. All of the soloists, including Lester, acquit themselves well.) The other highlight is to hear Ella come back for the encore ("Perdido") and join it mid-stream. She's "just" another one of the jamming musicians.

After a lifetime of collecting records, an acquisition like this prevents me from stopping.

[I agree with other reviewers that all of the soloists are in fine form and deserve commendation. Trombonist Tommy Turk is especially impressive, all the more so because he's so obscure that I'm left to wonder if the name is not a pseudonym for someone like Bill Harris, adopted for the occasion to avoid contractual conflicts. It's a shame the audio doesn't pick up the bass and that the horns don't have more "presence," but at least the sound hasn't been messed with by some modern engineer to the point where it sounds artificial and phony.] [Later: See the invaluable recent review--January, 2010--about TOMMY TURK. One of the most interesting things I've read about a musician in a long time.]

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Music, June 5, 2001

By 

L. Jackson "Veracity" (Oak Park,MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jazz at the Philharmonic 1949 (Audio CD)

I remember about 5 years ago in my Music Appreciation class we were learning about Jazz in the 40's and 50's. I knew nothing about the man they called Charlie Parker back then. But what I remember is the way my instructor bobbed his head when Charlie Parker began to play. Initially I became attracted to what I was hearing, but I didn't have a desire to get any of this man's brilliant music. But I am now on a quest for what I heard several years ago. I am a newcomer to the great Charlie Parker and I have heard several of his Cd's and so far JATP 1949 is thebest because of it's sound quality. Charlie Parker is outstanding and so is Lester Young. I would've given this cd 5 stars only if it had more Charlie Parker. But there certainly is enough of him, I'm just greedy. I recommend this cd for everyone and don't believe the negative that you here about "this cd". He did a wonderful job bringing Charlie Parker to this type of setting. I would like to know what Charlie Parker cd's have the best sound quality. Thank you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing music, May 1, 2001

By 

Milan (Europe, FR Yugoslavia, Belgrade) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jazz at the Philharmonic 1949 (Audio CD)

It's simply outstanding music, with great solo works by Prez and Bird. Prez's solo on "Embraceable You" is the high point of his career, and the great moment in recorded history of jazz!