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Charlie Parker: Bird in Time 1940-1947: Selected Recordings and Rare Interviews

Charlie Parker is as mythic a figure as jazz has produced. His influence on the very form of the medium reconfigured the way music was approached in virtually all realms of practice. Yet, as Bird in Time 1940-1947: Selected Recordings and Rare Interviews reveals, his style did not arrive fully formed, but rather was worked toward through personal tenacity and the support of other musicians who shared in his vision.

This four-disc collection culls a bevy of examples of Bird's early musical progress as well as interviews with Bird and those closest to him. The result is a tome that, while not a viable starting point for newcomers, provides a valuable resource for those already entrenched in his legacy. The two 32-page booklets included, penned by jazz historian and producer Michael D. Anderson, only deepen this collection's worth.

The first disc opens with a lengthy interview with Parker before a private rehearsal of the changes to "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Body and Soul" is revealed. Despite the poor recording quality for much of the work here, Parker's genius shines through with ease and there remains a certain antiquated warmth to these proceedings. Parker's work with Jay McShann takes up much of the first disc, with "Honeysuckle Rose" and "I Got Rhythm" standing out performance-wise. Though Parker's roles in some of these ensembles is small the music is still wonderful and only serves to deepen one's understanding and appreciation of Parker's unique approach.

The second disc explores Parker's role in groups ranging from Bob Redcross' hotel room recordings (which feature legends Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet and Oscar Pettiford on bass) to playing in larger bands with the Clyde Hart All-Stars and the Cootie Williams Orchestra. The Bob Redcross recordings, including "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Boogie Woogie," and "Body and Soul #3" stand out for their intimate atmosphere and elastic interaction, while the better recorded sessions with Hart and Williams reveal Parker's ample abilities in more dressed-up circumstances. The last few tracks are dedicated to Parker's Lincoln Square Concert with Gillespie, a seemingly relaxed affair with strong playing from both.

Disc three features Bird in Gillespie's Rebop Six, a group that included bassist Ray Brown and vibraphonist Milt Jackson. "Shaw 'Nuff" cooks, while "Groovin' High"'s airy flow is perfect for Parker's sound. Other tracks feature the performances from the 1946 Alto Sax Award Winners concert as well as Gillespie's first Dial sessions.

The fourth and final disc opens with Bird's work with vocalist Earl Coleman, which presents Bird's gorgeously phrased solo work on titles including "This is Always" and "Dark Shadows." Further along are samplings taken from broadcasts of Barry Ulanov's All-Star Modern Jazz, which include classics "Hot House" and "On the Sunny Side of the Street" in units which include trumpeter Fats Navarro and drummer Buddy Rich.

Bird in Time 1940-1947 is a wonderful collection for Charlie Parker fans. The works themselves are great, and the supplemental interviews and reading only strengthen the music. While not necessarily for newcomers to Bird, the material here is priceless.

Track Listing

CD1: Charlie Parker Interview; Honeysuckle Rose/Body and Soul; I Got Rhythm; I Found A New Baby; Body And Soul; Moten Swing; Coquette; Oh Lady Be Good; Wichita Blues; Honeysuckle Rose; Max Roach Interview; Cherokee; St. Louis Mood; I Got it Bad; I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles; Hootie Blues; Swingmatism; Theme: Love Don't Get You Nothin'; Cherokee; My Heart Tells Me; I Found A New Baby; Body And Soul #2. CD2: Sweet Georgia Brown; I Got Rhythm; Max Roach Interview; Boogie Woogie; Shoe Shine Swing; Body And Soul #3; Embraceable You; Charlie Parker Interview; That's The Blues; Charlie Parker Interview; Dream of You; 7th Avenue; Charlie Parker Speaks; Charlie Parker Speaks; Mop Mop (Excerpt); Theme: Round Midnight; 711 (Roll 'Em); Cootie Williams Speaks; Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me; Don't Blame Me; Perdido; Night Cap; Saturday Night; MC Announcement; Floogie Boo; MC Announcement; St. Louis Blues; Max Roach Speaks; Sweet Georgia Brown #2; Lover, Come Back To Me. CD3: Teddy Edwards Speaks; Intro; Shaw 'Nuff; MC Announcement; Groovin' High; MC Announcement; Dizzy Atmosphere; Milt Jackson Speaks; Salt Peanuts; Diggin' Diz; Roy Porter Speaks; Teddy Edwards Speaks; Howard McGhee Discusses His History; Jam Session; Tea For Two; Body And Soul; Cherokee; Teddy Edwards Speaks; Roy Porter Speaks; Roy Porter Speaks; Lover Man; Max Is Makin' Wax (aka Chance it); The Gypsy; Bebop; Roy Porter Speaks; Teddy Edwards Speaks; Howard McGhee Remembers Charlie Parker; Lullaby In Rhythm Pt. 1; Lullaby In Rhythm Pt. 2; Homecooking - 1 - Lullaby In Rhythm; Homecooking - 2 - Cherokee; Homecooking - 3 - I Got Rhythm. CD4: Earl Coleman Speaks; This Is Always; Dark Shadows; Earl Coleman Speaks; Roy Porter Speaks; Dee Dee's Dance; Roy Porter Speaks; Earl Coleman Speaks; Milt Jackson Speaks; Introduction - Ko Ko; Hot House; Fine And Dandy; Introduction to Koko; On The Sunny Side Of The Street; How Deep Is the Ocean; Tiger Rag; Theme: 52nd Street Theme; Intro: 52nd Street Theme; Donna Lee; Theme: Koko.

Personnel

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto

Charlie Parker: alto saxophone; Jay McShann Band: various; Dizzy Gillespie: trumpet; Oscar Pettiford: bass; Billy Eckstine: trumpet; Goon Gardener: guitar; Bob Redcross: drums; Hazel Scott: piano; Trummy Young: vocals, trombone; Don Byas: tenor saxophone; Mike Bryan: guitar; Al Hall: bass; Specs Powell: drums; Rubberleg Williams: vocals; Coleman Hawkins: tenor saxophone; Cootie Williams: trumpet; Edmond Hall: clarinet; Art Tatum: piano; Al Casey: guitar; "Big" Sid Catlett: drums; Al Haig: piano; Milt Jackson: vibes; Ray Brown: bass; Stan Levey: drums; Lucky Thompson: tenor saxophone; George Handy: piano; Arvin Garrison: guitar; Nat King Cole: piano; Oscar Moore: guitar; Johnny Miller: bass; Buddy Rich: drums; Benny Carter: alto saxophone; Willie Smith: alto saxophone; Howard McGhee: trumpet; Jimmy Bunn: piano; Bob Kesterson: bass; Roy Porter: drums; Shorty Rogers: trumpet; Mel Broiles: trumpet; Russ Freeman: piano; Arnold Fishkin: bass; Jimmy Pratt: drums; Hampton Hawes: piano; Addison Farmer: bass; Lennie Tristano: piano; John Laporta: clarinet; Billy Bauer: guitar; Max Roach: drums; Fats Navarro: trumpet; Tommy Porter: bass; Allen Eager: tenor saxophone; Sarah Vaughan: vocals; Earl Coleman: vocals.

Album information

Title: Bird in Time 1940-1947: Selected Recordings and Rare Interviews | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: ESP Disk

About Charlie Parker Follow

Instrument: Saxophone, alto

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