Search - Charlie Parker :: Charlie Parker Story

Not a great collection, but essential for study

08/12/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Charlie Parker's best work can be found on either the Dial or Savoy label. Just about everything recorded under his own name for these labels are astounding. However, if you're looking to establish a jazz collection, I'd pass this release over. (NOTE: As of this writing, there is no domestic collection in-print collecting either all of his studio work for Savoy or all of the master takes released by the label, but this material has a tendency to be re-issued every couple of years so it's only a matter of time.) However, if you're looking for something to add to an already established collection, or a serious student of jazz, in school or out, this can be worth exploring. It basically collects every thing put on tape during the first session Parker every recorded under his own name. Presented in the order it was recorded, it's remarkable to hear how the music evolved with each take. Miles hadn't quite made it as a player, and Parker was hampered by reed problems, but the group managed to cut some incredible music, particularly "Ko Ko," one of the pillars of jazz (thankfully, Gillespie steps in on trumpet and Miles wisely sits out). While every master take released from this session is a classic, one may find some of the alternate takes preferable. As is the case for most of Parker's work, the master takes were representative of the best band performances; often he performed equally impressive, if not better, solos on previous takes. Some critics point of "Now's The Time" as a good example, on which Parker exhibits some electric playing on the third take that edges out the fourth, master take. Presentation could definitely use some work. The sound is inferior to the 20-bit Japanese remasters of his haphazardly compiled Savoy albums, and the booklet feels sloppy and cheaply done. Still, it's an excellent look at how things went down."