And HOW long have I been listening to jazz?

[Big Al]

I'm on hold with Chase Bank right now, and the on-hold music is some nice jazz. All of a sudden, a tune comes on that is instantly recognizable by the alto/vibes front line, and it's a Parker tune, and I don't know the name of the tune!!! (I should add that, by the fidelity of this recording, it sounds like it is from some Blue Note/Verve/Prestige recording, not some smooth-jazz remake)

You'd never know I've been listening to jazz for about ten years now. I probably even have this version at home somewhere, and I am drawing a complete blank on it.

Unbelievable. That's what I get for not having any Parker in my collection. ( on me)

Edited November 17, 2006 by Big Al

[JSngry]

That's what I get for not having any Parker in my collection. ( on me)

You know I love you, bro, but if you got zero Bird in your collection, that thumb would be more properly placed up your ass.

You do know I love you, don't cha?

Edited November 17, 2006 by JSngry

[mikeweil]

The solution simple: buy nothing but Bird CDs for the next six months, and listen to them every day. Satisfaction guaranteed.

[Big Al]

That's what I get for not having any Parker in my collection. ( on me)

You know I love you, bro, but if you got zero Bird in your collection, that thumb would be more properly placed up your ass.

You do know I love you, don't cha?

Absolutely! Except that my thumb won't fit because my head's already there in the way!

[marcello]

The solution simple: buy nothing but Bird CDs for the next six months, and listen to them every day. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Maybe Groovin' High with Milt Jackson and Lou Donaldson?

Edited November 17, 2006 by marcello

[Dmitry]

Unbelievable. That's what I get for not having any Parker in my collection. ( on me)

And to think that I wanted to hire you as my latex salesman...

Edited November 17, 2006 by Dmitry

[Big Al]

The solution simple: buy nothing but Bird CDs for the next six months, and listen to them every day. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Maybe Groovin' High with Milt Jackson and Lou Donaldson?

YES! That was the tune. Probably the players, too. What album is that from?

Gad, I was wrong about the author of the tune AND the alto player. Time to get some Bird in my collection.

[Big Al]

After doing some searching, the version I heard was the Cannonball Adderley version from THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER. (Another one I don't have...... )

Still..... not being able to identify "Groovin' High"..... oughta be ashamed of myself!

Edited November 17, 2006 by Big Al

[Rooster_Ties]

Even I have some Parker in my collection (though not much).

Massey Hall (the only Parker I had for many, many years), and the new Town Hall find that Chuck was involved with.

It's been said many, many times here before -- but that Town Hall material is absolutely fantastic!!

Will dig it out now, in fact, to give it a spin later today.

(Oh, I stumbled on a cheap copy of "...with Strings, The Master Takes" a year ago or so. Also quite nice.)

[John Tapscott]

Give Big Al a little break. I've been listening to jazz for nrearly 35 years now, and honestly when I hear a Bird tune I know it's by Bird but half the time can't identify the tune by without looking at the notes. I'm not a Bird specialist by any means, but more of a Bird generalist. I would get Groovin' High but there's lots of others I wouldn't get. I'm in the same boat with Monk tunes. Dang, I know that's a Monk tune I'm hearing but which one....????

[Rooster_Ties]

I'm in the same boat with Monk tunes. Dang, I know that's a Monk tune I'm hearing but which one....????

Same thing with Monk tunes and me too.

[Big Al]

Unbelievable. That's what I get for not having any Parker in my collection. ( on me)

And to think that I wanted to hire you as my latex salesman...

[Soulstation1]

i only have 2 or 3 parker cds myself, but pick up this one

[Big Al]

BMG has the 3-disc sets "The Complete Verve Master Takes" and "The Complete Savoy/Dial Masters." Any thoughts on those?

[Dan Gould]

I'd be the first to cut Al a whole bunch of slack on not recognizing a tune. But not having any Bird, after ten years of listening to jazz? There's just no excuse, unless you've spent ten years believing that Kenny G and Boney James are the greatest saxophonists the world has ever known.

IMO, anyone who is a jazz fan, after ten years, ought to own at least one recording by Pops, Bird, and Ellington. There may be others, like Miles or Monk or Diz, but to me those are the three wellsprings and to fail to own something by each or any of them is simply inexcusable.

[Soulstation1]

# 1 problem for big al

Too Much Greazzzzze

[AllenLowe]

actually, that's a Dizzy tune, not a Bird composition, based on the changes to Whispering. So you all flunk - Big AL is not alone -

Edited November 17, 2006 by AllenLowe

[7/4]

actually, that's a Dizzy tune, not a Bird composition, based on the changes to Whispering. So you all flunk - Big AL is not alone -

I knew that, I just didn't want to say anything.

[Big Al]

I see Skid's a-lurking.... what say you, my man? I know you're busting at the seams to launch some form of snide comment my way.... .

[Uncle Skid]

BMG has the 3-disc sets "The Complete Verve Master Takes" and "The Complete Savoy/Dial Masters." Any thoughts on those?

BUY BOTH OF THEM.... RIGHT NOW!!

(no snide comments this time, Big Al. you won't regret this purchase!)

Also, here's another recommendation:

Yardbird Suite - The Ultimate Collection.

[jostber]

These 2 CD's are great overviews from his Savoy/Dial and Verve period respectively:

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Complete-Savoy-...TF8&s=music

http://www.amazon.com/Birds-Best-Verve-Cha...TF8&s=music

Wonderful collection:

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Eyes-Charlie-Pa...TF8&s=music

And this amazing CD box will give you great value:

http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Parker-Studi...TF8&s=music

Edited November 17, 2006 by jostber

[Uncle Skid]

Al, I have the "Bird's Best Bop on Verve" CD, and I don't need it anymore, as I recently purchased the Complete Master Takes Set.

It's yours if you want it....

[Jim R]

Al, in 1977, I got Jimmy Smith's "At The Organ" LP. The one with "Yardbird Suite" on it. I thought to myself, "Wow, great tune... by Charlie Parker... hmm, gotta check into that" (true story). Then, I said to myself, "Hey, I'd better call Big Al and see if he's hip to this yet". Even though I knew you were only 7 years old at the time, I called you. Your uncle answered the phone, and told me several really hilarious jokes, and we laughed, and I forgot all about you... for the next 22 years or so. Oops, my bad.

[Big Al]

Al, in 1977, I got Jimmy Smith's "At The Organ" LP. The one with "Yardbird Suite" on it. I thought to myself, "Wow, great tune... by Charlie Parker... hmm, gotta check into that" (true story). Then, I said to myself, "Hey, I'd better call Big Al and see if he's hip to this yet". Even though I knew you were only 7 years old at the time, I called you. Your uncle answered the phone, and told me several really hilarious jokes, and we laughed, and I forgot all about you... for the next 22 years or so. Oops, my bad.

[Big Al]

Al, I have the "Bird's Best Bop on Verve" CD, and I don't need it anymore, as I recently purchased the Complete Master Takes Set.

It's yours if you want it....

Sure, thanks! PM me if you need me to re-send my address to you.