Personnel:
Charlie Parker (as), Lennie Tristano (p), Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro (tp), Allen Eager (ts), John La Porta (cl), Billy Bauer (g), Ray Brown, Tommy Potter (b), Kenny Clarke, Max Roach, Buddy Rich (d)
Reference: DRCD 11289
Bar code: 8436006492891
Alto sax genius Charlie Parker and modern jazz blind pianist Lennie Tristano had mutual admiration and understanding for each other, and were good friends. However, their recorded output together is far from extensive and fits the dimensions of this sole CD. Both were great innovators, although Tristano was the first to admit Birds pre-eminence among all musicians of that period: If Charlie Parker wanted to invoke plagiarism laws, he declared once, he could sue almost everybody whos made a record in the last ten years.
On this collection we can appreciate the peculiar combination of their very personal styles. Both are extensively heard on these recordings, which include a 1951 privately recorded duet session made at Tristanos home (playing All of Me and I Cant Believe That You Are In Love With Me, an All Star big band studio session and three exciting 1947 radio broadcasts presenting Bird and Lennie with stars like Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro, Allen Eager, Ray Brown, Max Roach and Buddy Rich. Most of these recordings are extremely rare and have been long unavailable on CD.
Tracklisting:
01. All of me
02. I Cant Believe That Youre In Love With Me
03. Ko Ko
04. Hot House
05. I Surrender Dear
06. Fine And Dandy
07. Ko Ko
08. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
09. How Deep Is The Ocean?
10. Tiger Rag
11. 52nd Street Theme
12. 52nd Street Theme
13. Donna Lee
14. Everything I Have Is Yours
15. Fats Flats/Not House
16. Tea For Two
17. Dont Blame Me
18. Groovin High
19. Ko Ko into Anthropology
20. Overtime (short take)
21. Overtime (long take)
22. Victory Ball (short take 1 rare)
23. Victory Ball (short take 2)
24. Victory Ball (Long take)
Total time: 76:42 min.
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Notes:
I knew Bird since the time he came back to New York from Camarillo. I can say that he has been nicer to me than anybody in the business. My group was opposite his at the Three Deuces. He sat through my entire first set listening intently. When it was over, the two fellows I was playing with left the stand, leaving me alone. They knew I could get around all right, but Bird didnt know that; he thought I was hung up for the moment. He rushed up to the stand, told me how much he liked my playing, and subtly escorted me off the bandstand.
- Lennie Tristano (From the inside liner notes)
