ProJazz.net

This compilation of original Verve sessions (spanning 1947-1953) comes highly recommended, not only for its earful of superb musicianship from the creators of modern jazz, but for the sound quality of the recordings. Many Parker releases, culled from poorly engineered live recordings or audience bootlegs, require tolerating so much sonic hiss and extraneous noise that it distances and distracts from the enjoyment. Not so with these Verve tracks, which are astonishingly clear and well-balanced throughout, highlighting Parker’s dazzling technique and full, incisive tone to good measure.

Joined by the likes of Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Young, Thelonious Monk, and Max Roach, among others, Bird and ensemble blaze through versions of “Mohawk,” “Now’s the Time,” and “Laird Baird” (which Parker dedicated to his son). Those allergic to orchestral arrangements should be forewarned that several tracks, including “Laura,” “April in Paris,” and “Just Friends” (which includes the solo Parker reputedly claimed was his own favorite), are string-laden. Parker’s playing transcends all, however, and Bird: The Original Recordings is an outstanding collection for fans and newcomers alike (Rovi Staff/AllMusic).

A1 Now’s The Time
Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Max Roach
Piano – Al Haig
Written-By – Charlie Parker
3:00

A2 Laura
Arranged By – Joe Lipman
Bass – Ray Brown
Cello – Maurice Brown
Drums – Buddy Rich
French Horn – Joseph Singer
Harp – Verley Mills
Piano – Bernie Leighton
Viola – Isadore Zir
Violin – Edwin C. Brown, Harry Melnikoff, Howard A. Kay, Sam Rand, Ziggy Smirnoff
Written-By – David Raskin, Johnny Mercer
2:57

A3 Mohawk
Bass – Curley Russell
Drums – Buddy Rich
Piano – Thelonious Monk
Trumpet – Dizzy Gillespie
Written-By – Charlie Parker
3:35

A4 Kim
Bass – Teddy Kotick
Drums – Max Roach
Piano – Hank Jones
Written-By – Charlie Parker
2:59

A5 Blues For Alice
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Kenny Clarke
Piano – John Lewis (2)
Trumpet – Red Rodney
Written-By – Charlie Parker
2:46
A6 Laird Baird
Bass – Teddy Kotick
Drums – Max Roach
Piano – Hank Jones
Written-By – Charlie Parker
2:45

A7 K.C. Blues
Bass – Teddy Kotick
Drums – Max Roach
Piano – Walter Bishop, Jr.
Trumpet – Miles Davis
Written-By – Charlie Parker
3:25

A8 Lover Man
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Kenny Clarke
Piano – John Lewis (2)
Trumpet – Red Rodney
Written-By – Jimmy Davis, Jimmy Sherman, Roger ‘Ram’ Ramirez
3:22
B1 Just Friends
Arranged By – Jimmy Carroll
Bass – Ray Brown
Cello – Frank Miller (3)
Drums – Buddy Rich
Harp – Meyer Rosen
Oboe – Mitch Miller
Piano – Stan Freeman
Viola – Frank Brieff
Violin – Bronislaw Gimpel, Max Hollander, Milt Lomask
Written-By – John Klenner, Sam Lewis
3:30

B2 The Bird
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – Hank Jones
Written-By – Charlie Parker
4:46
B3 April In Paris
Arranged By – Jimmy Carroll
Bass – Ray Brown
Cello – Frank Miller (3)
Drums – Buddy Rich
Harp – Meyer Rosen*
Oboe – Mitch Miller
Piano – Stan Freeman
Violin – Bronislaw Gimpel, Max Hollander, Milt Lomask
Written-By – E.Y. Harburg, Vernon Duke
3:06

B4 Lester Leaps In
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Buddy Rich
Piano – Hank Jones
Tenor Saxophone – Flip Phillips, Lester Young
Trombone – Tommy Turk
Trumpet – Roy Eldridge
Written-By – Lester Young