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I owned this box years ago and, like a doofus, sold in a time of (what I thought was, anyway) desperate financial need. Of course, I got pennies-on-the-dollar for my efforts - and then the CD shop turned around and sold it for 3 times what they paid me. Consider it a lesson well-learned . . . Now my Bird has returned home, thanks to the Internet & ebay, specifically. I found this 10-CD box, listed as "brand new & factory sealed" for an excellent price and, despite there being some relatively minor cosmetic issues with my purchase, I'm glad to have this music in my hands again. This - along with the Parker Dial Sessions box - is an historical document that details the birth (and, truth be told, the nadir) of a once-new jazz style known as bop, or be-bop. Many great musicians followed and much timeless music recorded, but if any strictly be-bop performances ever outdistanced these, I've never heard them. Bird works with big bands, Norman Ganz's Jazz at the Philharmonic, small bands & combos. And, in every setting, Bird is the equivalent of a clutch hitter, delivering home runs every time up. "Sidemen" include the likes of Dizzy Gillespie (Bird's compatriot in advocating the new music), Thelonious Monk, Coleman Hawkins and a host of other willing participants - many of them ex-patriots from the now-fading Swing scene. There is the Latin-thing (presumably Dizzy's influence), the Unbelievably Tender Ballad-thing, the I-Can't-Believe-My-Ears virtuosity-thing, and just about every other "thing" you can imagine being done to and with an alto saxophone. If you're even considering buying this set, then you probably know the Charlie Parker story. Parker died at 35 from years of self-abuse (heroin, mostly) and left behind a reverberating "What if" that still resonates today. His output and his legend cast a shadow that, to put it in a more contemporary perspective, makes the spectre of say, a Jimi Hendrix or a Kurt Cobain seem almost insignificant. Easily one of the most gifted musicians ever to walk planet earth, Parker stands with Duke Ellington, Miles Davis & John Coltrane on jazz's Mount Rushmore. As with the others, he not only changed jazz, but music itself - how it is played, how it is heard and, maybe most importantly, the concepts of what is or isn't possible, plausible & acceptable. Parker helped transform jazz from a populist, dance-inspiring art form to "high art", on a level with any European classical music. In doing so, Parker and his followers allowed America to cement the validity of its single greatest contribution to the world arts: Jazz. If you are inspired by great artistry, great music and one of the most romantic - and romanticized - periods in our history, then you should consider this set essential listening. One tip: Snap it up while it's available; these box sets aren't in print forever . . .Read full review
Excellent recordings and wonderful book. I have recently rediscoverd Charlie Parker and thoroughly enjoyed listening to the music. While the out-takes were interesting, I do find them a bit distracting when I simply want to listen to the music. The recordings however, make you wish that Norman Granz was still around today producing music. Excellent care was taken during the remastering process as the recordings are true audiophile quality. Expensive set bet well worth it. I was lucky enough to pick a used mint condition set for half price. I can't imagine why anyone would want to part with such a nice set!?
Awesome set covering 1946-1954 with a booklet with session dates, sidemen and many outtakes. Well worth the investment.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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