The Best of the Bird [Legacy] by Charlie Parker boutiques NEUF

Tracks:
Koko
Cheryl
Street Beat, The
Big Foot
Bebop
Barbados
Oop Bop Shbam
Rocker
Sly Mongoose
Theme
Gypsy, The
Carvin the Bird
Bongo Bop
Charlies Wig
Bird Feathers

Performer Notes:

• Personnel: Charlie Parker (saxophone).
• Photographer: Michael Ochs.
• Unknown Contributor Roles: Charles Parker; Charlie Parker .
• This compilation is sequenced in an odd but fascinating manner--its 26 tracks are grouped in pairs, each pair made up of two different live versions of the same song. Given that alto saxophonist Charlie Parker was possibly the most extemporaneous and most devotedly improvisatory soloist during the bebop era of the 40s and early 50s, the sequencing makes such perfect sense youll find yourself wondering why more of the dozens of Parker retrospectives dont do the same. In each pair of tracks, the bare outlines of the song remain the same in both versions, but Parkers fluid, graceful solos invariably go into entirely different directions, sometimes following the melody sedately but more often shattering it entirely before reassembling it. As usual with Laserlights compilations, liner notes and attributions are minimal, but here and there one recognizes Miles Davis trumpet and Milt Jacksons vibes. As always, though, the focus is entirely on Parker.

Format: CD (1 Disc); Mono

Country: USA

Studio/Live: Studio

Release Date: 11 June, 1991

Label: Legacy

Dimensions: 14 x 12.5 x 1.1 centimeters (0.10 kg)