This CD set contains Charlie Parkers best small band studio recordings from his later period. These outstanding tracks have the finest sound quality of Birds entire discography. The sessions are complete, but only the master takes are included.
Included are two superlative quartet sessions, as well as his last quintet studio reunions with Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. Pianist Thelonious Monk, Al Haig, Hank Jones and John Lewis are also featured, along with Birds favorite drummer, the exceptional Max Roach. Trumpeter Red Rodney also features, and on one track, Coleman Hawkins.
Tracklisting:
01. THE SONG IS YOU (2:58)
02. LAIRD BAIRD (2:45)
03. KIM (2:59)
04. COSMIC RAYS (3:05)
05. CHI CHI (3:05)
06. I REMEMBER YOU (3:05)
07. NOWS THE TIME (3:01)
08. CONFIRMATION (2:58)
09. AU PRIVAVE (2:43)
10. SHE ROTE (3:08)
11. K.C. BLUES (3:26)
12. STAR EYES (3:34)
13. BLOOMDIDO (3:24)
14. AN OSCAR FOR TREADWELL (3:22)
15. MOHAWK (3:35)
16. MY MELANCHOLY BABY (3:23)
17. LEAP FROG (2:30)
18. RELAXING WITH LEE (2:46)
19. BLUES FOR ALICE (2:48)
20. SI SI (2:38)
21. SWEDISH SCHNAPPS (3:10)
22. BACK HOME BLUES (2:48)
23. LOVER MAN (3:21)
24. CELEBRITY (1:35)
25. BALLADE (2:55)
Total time: 75:13 min.
Personnel:
Tracks #1-4, Quartet: Charlie Parker (as), Hank Jones (p), Teddy Kotick (b) and Max Roach (d). Recorded in New York City, on December 30, 1952.
Tracks #5-8, Quartet: Charlie Parker (as), Al Haig (p), Percy Heath (b) and Max Roach (d). Recorded in New York City, on July 30, 1953.
Tracks #9-12, Quintet: Charlie Parker (as), Miles Davis (tp), Walter Bishop Jr. (p), Teddy Kotick (b) and Max Roach (d). Recorded in New York City, on January 17, 1951.
Tracks #13-18, Quintet: Charlie Parker (as), Dizzy Gillespie (tp), Thelonious Monk (p), Curly Russell (b) and Buddy Rich (d). Recorded in New York City, on June 6, 1950.
Tracks #19-23, Quintet: Charlie Parker (as), Red Rodney (tp), John Lewis (p), Ray Brown (b) and Kenny Clarke (d). Recorded in New York City, on August 8, 1951.
Track #24, Quartet: Charlie Parker (as), Hank Jones (p), Ray Brown (b) and Buddy Rich (d). Recorded in New York City, in the Autumn of 1950.
Tracks #25, Quintet: Same personnel and date as above but Coleman Hawkins (ts) added.
