This unusual set includes
Davis's first recording session and his initial date as a leader. The former is more historical than musical: four blues featuring singer
Rubberlegs Williams,
Herbie Fields's tenor and the noticeably nervous 18-year-old trumpeter who is actually only heard in ensembles. The latter recording finds him much more confident in 1947, heading the
Charlie Parker Quintet (with
Bird switching to tenor) on "Milestones," "Little Willie Leaps," "Half Nelson" and "Sippin' at Bells"; All of the alternate takes (both complete and partial) are included from both sessions. Since the later date has also been reissued on various
Charlie Parker collections, this set is more for completists than for general listeners. ~ Scott Yanow