Charlie Parker - Recommendations
Posted by: John on 13 June 2003
I would like to try one of CP's LP sets and would like to know where to start with a good balance of sonics/preformance.
I have seen listed the Dial Set, Savoy Studio Set & Mosaic Set.
Where is a good place to try and what is fair (e-bay) price for your recommendation.
Thanks
John
I have seen listed the Dial Set, Savoy Studio Set & Mosaic Set.
Where is a good place to try and what is fair (e-bay) price for your recommendation.
Thanks
John
Posted on: 13 June 2003 by John C
The Mosaic is the famous Dean Bennedetti recordings (Bird solos, not complete tunes,) from the Hi De Ho (LA) and New York concerts is deeply fascinating especially for a musician (which I'm not) but hardly the place to start.The Cd set is still available but not sure what the LPs go for currently. Mosaic Lps are of pretty good quality.
The Dials are wondrous. The complete Charlie Parker on Dial was available as a Spotlite 7 Lp set years ago but now OOP. It has numerous outtakes and alt versions each and every one a gem. It comes up on ebay at times and I'd grab it if I were you. I think the going rate is £25-30 but I have seen it go for less or unbid or more (it is eaby after all). I have a smaller 3 Lp Spotlite set (signed by Russell Ross!) of the master takes. I think the quality is as good as it gets.
The Savoys, again indispensible, are more problematic for vinyl lovers. I have been collecting early British pressings (mainly London records) but its very easy to find later reissue copies which to my mind are of lesser quality. Original or even early Savoys don't hang on trees obviously
The recent complete Parker Savoy/Dial CD box is very well done and is probably better than most LPs you will get. I have this and the complete Spotlite Dials CD box which is very good as well.
I also like the Stockholm sessions on Spotlite(Lps) and many Verve LPs.
John
btw when I say as good as it gets |I mean for these particular recordings.
[This message was edited by John C on FRIDAY 13 June 2003 at 17:58.]
The Dials are wondrous. The complete Charlie Parker on Dial was available as a Spotlite 7 Lp set years ago but now OOP. It has numerous outtakes and alt versions each and every one a gem. It comes up on ebay at times and I'd grab it if I were you. I think the going rate is £25-30 but I have seen it go for less or unbid or more (it is eaby after all). I have a smaller 3 Lp Spotlite set (signed by Russell Ross!) of the master takes. I think the quality is as good as it gets.
The Savoys, again indispensible, are more problematic for vinyl lovers. I have been collecting early British pressings (mainly London records) but its very easy to find later reissue copies which to my mind are of lesser quality. Original or even early Savoys don't hang on trees obviously
The recent complete Parker Savoy/Dial CD box is very well done and is probably better than most LPs you will get. I have this and the complete Spotlite Dials CD box which is very good as well.
I also like the Stockholm sessions on Spotlite(Lps) and many Verve LPs.
John
btw when I say as good as it gets |I mean for these particular recordings.
[This message was edited by John C on FRIDAY 13 June 2003 at 17:58.]
Posted on: 15 June 2003 by John
Thanks John, someone suggested the 2LP dial and Savoy sets to avoid the false starts and double takes. Do you have any opinions on them?
How are the takes ordered on the larger sets. I don't like the alternate takes right after the original or three different takes all on one side. I have most of the Miles Davis Mosaic sets and the alternate takes ordering stop me from reaching for these sets more often. Too bad they don't put them and a seperate LP like the Coltrane Rhino set.
John
How are the takes ordered on the larger sets. I don't like the alternate takes right after the original or three different takes all on one side. I have most of the Miles Davis Mosaic sets and the alternate takes ordering stop me from reaching for these sets more often. Too bad they don't put them and a seperate LP like the Coltrane Rhino set.
John
Posted on: 15 June 2003 by John C
The Dial and Savoy sessions have many alt takes. With Parker these don't seem intrusive, in fact I find them fascinating.
Just go for it. Wonderful music.
JOhn
Just go for it. Wonderful music.
JOhn
Posted on: 16 June 2003 by sideshowbob
I'd second the Dial and Savoy recommendation. Essential, really.
Also, Verve did a series of Parker compilations a couple of years back that have some very decent choices ("Bird's Best Bop", for example). A good intro to the later Bird.
-- Ian
Also, Verve did a series of Parker compilations a couple of years back that have some very decent choices ("Bird's Best Bop", for example). A good intro to the later Bird.
-- Ian
Posted on: 20 June 2003 by garth
I found a double LP of the Dial sessions - best off? - used for a song. Love it.