Big Band (Charlie Parker album)


Big Band is a 1953 album by Charlie Parker of sides recorded in 1950 and 1952. In 1999 Big Band was reissued with bonus material and outtakes.

Reception

Stacia Proefrock reviewed the reissue of the album for Allmusic and wrote that "Though Joe Lipman's arrangements are stellar, the musicians assembled for the sessions are an odd mix of Popular Music big-band players and improvisers. The album en todo also suffers from the Popular Music style of the songs themselves: solos are kept short, and songs limited to a three-minute length that was both radio-friendly and compatible with the 78-rpm format. But when Parker does solo, it is just as magical as any of his earlier recordings. The songs also have a sweet smoothness to them that makes them eminently enjoyable although jazz variety is lacking. This record is not perfect, but it still musters up moments of brilliance".

Track listing

  1. "Temptation" – 3:33
  2. "Autumn in New York" – 3:31
  3. "Lover" – 3:08
  4. "Stella by Starlight" – 2:58
  5. "Dancing in the Dark" – 3:16
  6. "Night and Day" – 2:52
  7. "I Can't Get Started" – 3:10
  8. "What Is This Thing Called Love?" – 2:39
  9. "Almost Like Being in Love" – 2:38
  10. "Laura" – 3:09
Bonus Tracks; Issued on the 1999 Verve CD Reissue, Verve 5598352
  2. "In the Still of the Night" – 3:28
  3. "Old Folks" – 3:38
  4. "If I Love Again" – 2:38
  5. "In the Still of the Night" – 3:53
  6. "In the Still of the Night" – 3:31
  7. "In the Still of the Night" – 3:36
  8. "Old Folks" – 4:12
  9. "Old Folks" – 3:37
  10. "Old Folks" – 3:41
  11. "In the Still of the Night" – 1:27
  12. "In the Still of the Night" – 0:45
  13. "Old Folks" – 0:46
  14. "Old Folks" – 0:39
  15. "Old Folks" – 0:29

Personnel

;Production