Newly Discovered Sides By The Immortal Charlie Parker CD

The series of Charlie Parker LPs released by Savoy Records after the alto saxophonist's untimely demise in 1955 are now being digitally remastered and reissued. The original liner notes, reproduced as part of this release, indicate that the recordings released as NEWLY DISCOVERED SIDES "were given to Savoy by the Parker estate to help complete the already extensive catalogue of "Charlie Parker Masters on Savoy Records." These "sides" include six tunes recorded live in 1948 and 1949, most of which bear out the bebop practice of composing serpentine new melodies over standard chord progressions.

Unconstrained by the limitations of the studio, the musicians stretch out a little further than usual in terms of solo length, but all the cuts still clock in under the five-minute mark. Bird is in familiar company: Al Haig on piano, Tommy Potter on bass and Max Roach on the drums. On four of the cuts, Miles Davis rounds out the group (blowing thoroughly convincing bop lines on "52nd Street Theme"). The remaining two tunes include Kenny Dorham on trumpet, along with Lucky Thompson on tenor saxophone and Milt Jackson on vibes.

Recorded in 1948 & 1949. Originally released on Savoy (12186).

Personnel: Charlie Parker (alto saxophone); Lucky Thompson (tenor saxophone); Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham (trumpet); Milt Jackson (vibraphone); Al Haig (piano); Tommy Potter (bass); Max Roach (drums).

Down Beat (9/96, p.59) - 3 Stars - Good - "Less than a half-hour long, these three 1948-'49 airchecks from New York's Royal Roost feature Bird chirping six tunes in a crowded, noisy nest....Bird, fleet and burly-toned, is resplendent..."