Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie - Town Hall, New York City, June 22, 1945
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Free Music Notes for Town Hall, New York City, June 22, 1945
Free Music Review: Bird and Diz in concert: Who knew?
Hit: 5 Stars
This is definitely an amazing find, and much on the disc truly astounds:
1) The great sound. Yeah, there are a couple of spots where the mikes are off-center, but compared to the usual audio on Bird and Diz live recordings of this time period, it's an audio gem.
2) Max Roach. Max is phenomenal, and it's easy to add "as always," but remember there wasn't much of an "always" yet: both the music and Roach's career were just getting started. He not only has tremendous feel for the music (those bombs of beauty), but plays as if he's already got bebop engraved in his soul. Sid Catlett sits in on HOT HOUSE and takes a fairly long solo, and the difference between him and Max is profound: Sid is an excellent drummer, but Max is an excellent BEBOP drummer who brings a charge to the music Sid can't muster.
3) Diz and Bird and the anthems they play. Bird walks in after BEBOP has already begun, and you wonder when he had time to put his horn together, because he starts blowing as soon as he's in front of a mike. Tempos on all the tunes fly, and it's great to hear the guys take extended solos, especially if you have the 3-minute long recordings etched in your memory. Highlights abound, but the biggest highlight of all is the consistent excellence of the playing by all. Every tune is a gem.
Historically and musically, this CD is a major addition to the modern jazz library. Bird and Diz were inspired musicians at the height of their talents at this time, and it's great to have this recently discovered concert performance to check them out on one more occasion. Brilliant stuff, this.
Free Music Review: Discovery of the Century (So Far)!!!!!!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
It's hard to believe the good fortune we have of being able to listen to this surprisingly well-recorded, previously lost Town Hall concert concert from June 22, 1945. Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Don Byas, Al Haig, Curley Russell, Max Roach & Big Sid Catlett are presented here just months after the first Bop records were recorded in a blistering concert MC'd by the redoubtable Symphony Sid Torin. This is Bop at it's inception, played in the heat of enthusiasm and discovery. Diz is a marvel on every cut, Bird plays as if his very life depended on it, Al Haig is allowed to stretch out as he never was on the original records and the rhythm section of Russell & Roach were creating the sound of the future. Special guests Byas & Big Sid are an added treat. The breaks & solos on "Night In Tunisia" and "Salt Peanuts" have lost none of their ability to scare the living s**t out of musicians to this very day. If you have ANY interest in these artists and this music, DO NOT delay and buy this release as soon as you possibly can. Can I give Uptown Records & this CD twenty stars?!?!?!?!?Free Music Review: Not Perfect but Still 5 Stars
Hit: 5 Stars
This recording is essential for what it represents, not necessarily for the music or the quality of the recording. It certainly isn't perfect - the sound recording starts poorly and the omnipresence of Symphony Sid becomes tiresome after repeated listenings. We have heard better technical versions of all of these songs.
But as far as capturing an electric moment when the seed of bebop springs to life, this is a momentous recording. Men were making music on this night and the music is singular and powerful. Even more impressive is its recent rescue from basement obscurity. I agree with other reviewers that this is a fine intro to these legends but also is necessary even if you have some of the other live Diz and Bird radio transcriptions. Max Roach sounds like he's providing percussion for one of Tom Waits' 80s recordings and Bird and Diz are filled with ideas. Al Haig sparkles and there are no bebop cliches played by anybody. Essential.
Free Music Review: DIZ AND BIRD 1945
Hit: 5 Stars
Having had the privilege of performing with "Birks" in 1980 throughout Europe, it was marvelous listening to him at the top of his game, along with Charlie Parker, another marvel for the ages. Dizzy's brilliance as a performer/composer was only matched by his humility and flair for pedagogy. Though we shared stages, and hung out evenings, he had a way of imparting knowledge that was second to none. Even as we were playing, it was as if he was saying to us on the stand, and those in the audience, "This is where music is going. This is where we and you are taking it." He was a giant on and off the bandstand. This is a must for any lover of the only real American art form, Jazz.
Tony Horowitz
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Free Music Review: Astounding Discovery
Hit: 5 Stars
This previously unknown concert recording from 1945 of one of the greatest groups in jazz history, the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet with Charlie Parker, exceeds the listener's lofty expectations. First, the quality of the music is at the highest level of inspiration, with the innovations of Parker and Gillespie still fresh, new and exciting. Parker and Gillespie are both in astounding form. Second, the quality of the recording is very good--this is easily one of the best recorded live concerts of this era. Third, this release is from Uptown Records, and hence is meticulously prepared and researched. In short, this is an essential jazz recording and one of the great music discoveries of the last fifty years.