Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, Bird and Diz (Verve)

[Guy Berger]

This was one of the first straight-ahead jazz CDs I ever got, maybe 8 years ago. I was really starting to get into Miles's 2nd quintet at the time, was just starting to explore Coltrane, and figured I needed something by bebop's progenitors. Lo and behold, this was an "album" (I was not interesting in non-albums at the time) with both Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker! I think I picked it up through BMG. The music, while enjoyable, largely went over my head -- I don't think my ears were ready for bebop yet.

I listened to this disc for the first time in at least three or four years today. I've been immersing myself in Bird's JSP box recently, which features many of the key pre-1948 studio recordings by this duo. So while I don't have the perspective of some on this board, I definitely have a better understanding of this music than I did 8 years ago.

This is a nice date, but it doesn't touch the classic 1945 studio recordings. Bird and Dizzy both play very well but I've heard better work from both. The track that stands out the most is "Bloomdido", which is probably why Norman Granz put it first. Monk's playing was the most pleasant surprise to me this time around -- in fact, I found myself enjoying his playing the most. Buddy Rich gets slagged a lot for his drumming here. Yeah, it would have been nice to have Max or Klook or Roy Haynes playing on this recording, but I think Buddy does a good job.

The CD itself is a horrible value unless you pick it up for a few bucks used. The meat of the album (the six master takes) runs about 18-20 minutes. An equal length of time goes to padding... err... alternate takes which are probably unnecessary for all but the most dedicated fan. Then 5 or so minutes are wasted on short incomplete takes.

Summary judgment: avoid this until you've heard Bird and Dizzy's classic 1945 studio recordings. Once you decide you want it, get it on the Verve Master Takes box.

Guy

[Big Wheel]

Buddy Rich gets slagged a lot for his drumming here. Yeah, it would have been nice to have Max or Klook or Roy Haynes playing on this recording, but I think Buddy does a good job.

A "good job" doesn't cut it in this kind of company.

Listen to this album too much and you might come to believe that the ride cymbal had never been invented.

[John L]

Buddy Rich gets slagged a lot for his drumming here. Yeah, it would have been nice to have Max or Klook or Roy Haynes playing on this recording, but I think Buddy does a good job.

A "good job" doesn't cut it in this kind of company.

Listen to this album too much and you might come to believe that the ride cymbal had never been invented.

Edited January 20, 2007 by John L