These poorly recorded live
Charlie Parker dates were captured in 1948 and 1950 and were originally released as two separate LPs, Bird on 52nd Street and
Bird at St. Nick's. The personnel for the 1948 gig included a fledgling
Miles Davis on trumpet,
Duke Jordan on piano,
Tommy Potter on bass, and
Max Roach on drums, while the 1950 date has
Red Rodney on trumpet,
Al Haig on piano,
Roy Haynes on drums, and
Potter again on bass. There's little doubt that these were hot nights for both units, and
Parker's solos, particularly on a smokin' "Confirmation" from the 1950 St. Nick's date, are often nothing short of amazing, but unfortunately the fidelity here is awful, bordering on unintentional white noise, and the poor sound quality, which still can't quite mask the power of these performances, makes listening to these tracks more frustrating than fruitful. These sides are certainly historically viable, and dedicated
Parker collectors and admirers will undoubtedly be drawn to hear them at least once, but this reissue is really an exercise in what could have been, a missed opportunity to hear two wonderful bands led by an impassioned
Parker in full flight. In the end, it's a bit like hearing
Parker from the next room. ~ Steve Leggett