Search - Charlie Parker :: Bird At The Hi Hat

Wanna hear the mos' exciting live performer EVER?

Nathan | Charlotte, N.C. United States | 12/31/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Then you've come to the right place; see, I don' think I've ever heard a performer exude this kind of confidence an' passion or that embodied the lively spirit of the free form the way Charlie Parker did. He an' his alto sax will forever be the greatest products of the entire jazz scene to me, an' here on these live dates in Boston, backed by a local quintet, an' lettin' off in an intimate concert hall; even taking requests from the radio listeners an' the mic man of the evening, the legendary Symphony Sid, Parker gives it all he's got. What you got here is a great taste of late-period Parker playin' some mind-bogglin' versions of some'a his most popular numbers. He plays through a classic repertoire no doubt, an' is' great hearin' Parker's sincere musicianship, as he allows pianist Rollins Griffith to shine on the extended solo in the final quarter of 'Ornithology (version one)' before carrying it on out himself with that famous melody from his sax. Griffith's piano an' also the thumping basslines of Jimmy Woode also shine on 'My Little Suede Shoes' as well as a hard snare'a percussion that builds up for Parker's incredibly infectious melody to ease back in where he takes the notes even higher as they fade out the song. Bird keeps mos'a these numbers jumpin' for well over six minutes, stopping only to chat with Symphony Sid a few times, an' to make a few announcements about up-and-coming tour dates. He plays incredibly fast lines as on 'Groovin' High', a number which also features some DAMNED fine soloing from a still-unknown trumpet player Herbie Williams, as well as the steadily-jumpin' 'Cheryl'. As is expected. Bird plays erratically yet amazingly sensibily on 'Cool Blues', always winding up back at the melody no matter how much he doubled up each note, an' also slows the vibe down a bit on the second version'a 'My Little Suede Shoes', an' kicks an even more downtempo late night melody on the standard 'Out of Nowhere', where the band once again shines, particularly Williams' trumpet an' Griffith's piano playing; as is expected nobody can ever steal the limelight from Parker, whose solos are jus' too beautiful for words, but the point is the group all complimented each other greatly an' it made for an excellent group of live dates compiled into one TRULY excellent album. Symphony Sid may sound like he's kissin' Parker's ass in some'a the segues between songs, but then again I imagine everyone at the Hi-Hat in Boston that night was. An' rightfully so. When Sid cuts in during Bird an' Williams' back an' forth solos on 'Jumpin' With Symphony Sid' an' says that they're out of time for the radio show, yet Parker continues playing, you get the feeling Bird woulda played until his last breath if he could have. If you aren't already a fan'a Yardbird, then this is HARDLY a comprehensive an' complete enough collection for you to have. You'll hafta delve within your wallet an' get some'a his other albums an', if necessary, boxed sets of recordings from over the years. Trust me, when I say that you will find NOTHING of his that is sub-par in any way. On the flip side, if youse a "bird-head" already like me an' don' have 'Bird at the Hi-Hat', then you will eat this up with delight."

Bird was at his best live.

Rolltide | 05/18/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If your looking for a cutting edge recording, look Further, complete takes?, sorry. If however your intersted in hearing the worlds greatest Improvisor let loose, heres your album!!!!"

Can't beat this....

Rolltide | Columbia, Tn | 05/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not a bird expert so i don't know how this compares to his other live sets. All i know is that this is one of the best CDs in my collection period! Great heart felt improv jazz. Hard to beat!..............socks"