@l2udolph Really, I too loved playing this song on the alto. It's little melody phrases, all seeming to go nowhere, then suddenly resolving themselves. The whole song then became a logical tense springboard for an improvised solo. Bird does a kind of disjointed one, then Fats and Bud roll along on the flowing beautiful chord changes. This and Bird's Scrapple From The Apple are among my favorites of his compositions.
@Jemmer1000 when i get into a long listening session, no matter what artists i start with, i seem to inevitably end up "climaxing" my listening session with Bird, scratches or not. but off-the shelf yea the bad sound is, initially especially, pretty unattractive.
The best concert ever in my opinion." Fatsblows" give the right personel. Bud is really the most talented pianist ever; a melodic, rhythmic and swinging genius ! The whole concert in Birdland, may 1950, is on CD. I bought the double vinyl album years ago, but it's still my favorite. Listen also to Bud on Out of nowhere at the same concert.
@hanschook play this loud enough on a good hi-fi (eg.5.1 surround 250 watts per) and i swear by half-way through Bud's flight i feel like i'm on the world's fastest roller coaster!
One of Bud's best recorded solos....you can tell when you hear him getting all his favorite licks in there in new ways back to back one after another with so much ferocity that they seem to bump into each other like a room full of dancing Buds
@kathnee the volume was decreased by my record to PC software, then the volume was reduced more by the iTunes application, then the post lost more volume when it got uploaded to YouTube. At a high volume on say a mere 100 watts per channel stereo, or G forbid surround sound, on high quality headphones, it is like God floating by no matter the time, day or night. Played this once via Buick hi-fi in a mall parking lot ultra loud; it was like everyone in a 2 hundred foot radius was mesmerized.
#pvelectric I am sure its all time favorite for many people, this is a really old piece of music, not that many non-jazz people would understand it though i think.
@zedomax Bird forced the entire world music business to switch from the "hot" beat, a hard emphasis on each down beat, hot New Orleans jazz, to a "continuo" J.S. Bach beat, emphasizing no beat at all, or if anything, the back beat. He also changed squarely stated eighth notes into up front dotted eighth note (elongated) with the second one in a two note string becoming then in effect a triplet. This made everything bebop did swing like mad. Now everyone does it without even recognizing it.
@zedomax You can hear Bird experimenting during his solo, but then this seems to inspire Fats and Powell to play two of the best purely bebop solos I think ever recorded. Too bad no CD available, I can't find this exact rendition anywhere either. Free Form jazz and Dylan-Lennon sort of knocked out jazz as a popular genre, especially noticeable after Coltrane died.
@zedomax I have a feeling it was Ella Fitzgerald's favorite of Bird's songs too. In at least four of her renditions of How High The Moon, she sang amidst her scatting Bird's Ornithology melody completely, note for note, because the songs have the same chord changes.
@pvelectric got an Ella LP vinyl album in the late '70s, in concert and How High... opens the show. She scats Bird's Ornithology and then improvises lyrics paying tribute to Frank Sinatra's versions of this song, saying how she couldn't possibly sing it so well. In Sinatra's last concert Ella and Frank performed the last song. Sinatra's and Ella's last public performance? dunno.
I think Bird invented modern music, though, and his followers flew higher than he.
@magaleecraveiro you're very welcome. two things about this cut: first, the whole group sounds perfect, second, Fats and Powell sound just as slamming on and on bopping with great joy!
It is generally believed that the correct personnel is as follows: Fats Navarro (tp) Charlie Parker (as) Bud Powell (p) Curly Russell (b) Art Blakey (d) -- privately recorded at, "Birdland", NYC, May 15 & 16, 1950.
Since the exact Ornithology here was taken from a public radio airing, Mrs. Parker was unsure who was playing what, and I've been unable to find anywhere on the net an exact copy of this version of the song. Other songs of these "jams" do ID Blakey as the drummer, so I think the general belief you site is correct. Thanks.
Boris Rose, the person responsible for preserving this performance for posterity, said that it was actually recorded on location. It was not a radio broadcast. He is also the source of the personnel. Aural evidence would support it. That's Blakey on drums. No doubt about Fats and Bud. I can't be sure about Curly Russell, but no reason to doubt it.
@Jazzanswer thanks for the more certain correct info on the personnel. I've heard so many piano players who try, very well, to sound and play like Bud Powell. this song exemplifies his advanced command of the new bebop form. True Peterson and Tristano, and other newer guys with which I'm unfamiliar, are stellar focal points of excellence in the art, but Powell is the epitome of what any jazz pianist should aspire to master at the get go.
@FatsBlows I used to own an old issue of this recording until I foolishly lent it to someone and it gave the drummer as Roy Haynes and the venue as the Cafe Society but I am sure your version is correct. Just to think Fats passed away just a few weeks after this recording, so sad.
@CucarachaLa tip on assuring your status as a musician: 1-Invite some other musicians over 2-They will want to borrow some music CDs, whatever format 3-loan all they want 4-when they never return, say where's my music at? 5-when they return, they will have an s-load of other music they will lay on you. 6-Smile and say how grateful you are. everyone will then know you are in it for the art's sake.
@FatsBlows It says in the liner notes, " Since these were broadcasts, we too are in possession of the tapes and wanted to add them to our catalogue of Parker milestones." Birdland, as you state, sounds like the most likely place where the group was playing, from what I can tell. What is your source documenting Blakey and Russell: "generally believed" isn't enough.
Modern equipment can make this bright again. Some of the latest Charlie Christian at Minton's are "miles ahead" from their old sound.
kmc56 2 months ago
now this is real jazz!
328yart 2 months ago
Great Bird,great song (i love it) and good recording!
TheAngel1870 4 months ago
ı was looking this for long time, thanks lot too much.......
sittingbulltr 4 months ago
This is so fun to play on saxophone. :) I should post a video.
l2udolph 4 months ago
@l2udolph Really, I too loved playing this song on the alto. It's little melody phrases, all seeming to go nowhere, then suddenly resolving themselves. The whole song then became a logical tense springboard for an improvised solo. Bird does a kind of disjointed one, then Fats and Bud roll along on the flowing beautiful chord changes. This and Bird's Scrapple From The Apple are among my favorites of his compositions.
pvelectric 4 months ago
Maybe someone said this already, but that's Art Blakey on drums. Curly Russell is on bass. Recorded live at Birdland, 1950
thesheriffdrums 5 months ago
I will not buy this record, it is scratched.
Despite that a brilliant performance shines through....
Jemmer1000 7 months ago
@Jemmer1000 when i get into a long listening session, no matter what artists i start with, i seem to inevitably end up "climaxing" my listening session with Bird, scratches or not. but off-the shelf yea the bad sound is, initially especially, pretty unattractive.
pvelectric 6 months ago
The best concert ever in my opinion." Fatsblows" give the right personel. Bud is really the most talented pianist ever; a melodic, rhythmic and swinging genius ! The whole concert in Birdland, may 1950, is on CD. I bought the double vinyl album years ago, but it's still my favorite. Listen also to Bud on Out of nowhere at the same concert.
hanschook 7 months ago 2
@hanschook play this loud enough on a good hi-fi (eg.5.1 surround 250 watts per) and i swear by half-way through Bud's flight i feel like i'm on the world's fastest roller coaster!
pvelectric 7 months ago
And of course Charlie Parker sounds amazing, playing around alot, and Fats Navarro sounding like he'd never run out of steam
petezilla 8 months ago
One of Bud's best recorded solos....you can tell when you hear him getting all his favorite licks in there in new ways back to back one after another with so much ferocity that they seem to bump into each other like a room full of dancing Buds
petezilla 8 months ago
Art Blakey!
TheCentaur23 1 year ago
i wish my name was in the bass unknown spot ha ha .this music has been with me all my 72 yrs and still is .great stuff. many thanks.
exjazzbassbaz 1 year ago
Greg, nice post! Best wishes for The New Year to you and yours! Joe
demografx 1 year ago
@demografx same to you, Joe, thanks. - greg
pvelectric 1 year ago
I absolutely LOVE this tune. I used to have it on the LP "The Very Best of Bird", which I cannot find now in CD version. SO happy to hear this!
kathnee 1 year ago
@kathnee the volume was decreased by my record to PC software, then the volume was reduced more by the iTunes application, then the post lost more volume when it got uploaded to YouTube. At a high volume on say a mere 100 watts per channel stereo, or G forbid surround sound, on high quality headphones, it is like God floating by no matter the time, day or night. Played this once via Buick hi-fi in a mall parking lot ultra loud; it was like everyone in a 2 hundred foot radius was mesmerized.
pvelectric 1 year ago
#pvelectric I am sure its all time favorite for many people, this is a really old piece of music, not that many non-jazz people would understand it though i think.
zedomax 1 year ago
@zedomax Bird forced the entire world music business to switch from the "hot" beat, a hard emphasis on each down beat, hot New Orleans jazz, to a "continuo" J.S. Bach beat, emphasizing no beat at all, or if anything, the back beat. He also changed squarely stated eighth notes into up front dotted eighth note (elongated) with the second one in a two note string becoming then in effect a triplet. This made everything bebop did swing like mad. Now everyone does it without even recognizing it.
pvelectric 1 year ago
@zedomax You can hear Bird experimenting during his solo, but then this seems to inspire Fats and Powell to play two of the best purely bebop solos I think ever recorded. Too bad no CD available, I can't find this exact rendition anywhere either. Free Form jazz and Dylan-Lennon sort of knocked out jazz as a popular genre, especially noticeable after Coltrane died.
pvelectric 1 year ago
This is my most favorite Charlie Parker song of all time! and Charlie Parker is my fav saxophone player too!
zedomax 1 year ago
@zedomax I have a feeling it was Ella Fitzgerald's favorite of Bird's songs too. In at least four of her renditions of How High The Moon, she sang amidst her scatting Bird's Ornithology melody completely, note for note, because the songs have the same chord changes.
pvelectric 1 year ago
@pvelectric got an Ella LP vinyl album in the late '70s, in concert and How High... opens the show. She scats Bird's Ornithology and then improvises lyrics paying tribute to Frank Sinatra's versions of this song, saying how she couldn't possibly sing it so well. In Sinatra's last concert Ella and Frank performed the last song. Sinatra's and Ella's last public performance? dunno.
I think Bird invented modern music, though, and his followers flew higher than he.
pvelectric 1 year ago
Thank you for posting this masterpiece Greg!!
IkiraBaru 1 year ago
@IkiraBaru de nada y via con dios (thanks-"It's nothing" and go with God).
pvelectric 1 year ago
I love Charlie Parker!
Ele voava na melódia! Great Performance!
Thank you very much!
Maga Jazz :-))
magaleecraveiro 1 year ago
@magaleecraveiro you're very welcome. two things about this cut: first, the whole group sounds perfect, second, Fats and Powell sound just as slamming on and on bopping with great joy!
pvelectric 1 year ago
Far out.
xwsftassell 2 years ago
FatsBlows,
I'll definitely look into this. Thanks.
pvelectric 2 years ago
It is generally believed that the correct personnel is as follows: Fats Navarro (tp) Charlie Parker (as) Bud Powell (p) Curly Russell (b) Art Blakey (d) -- privately recorded at, "Birdland", NYC, May 15 & 16, 1950.
FatsBlows!
FatsBlows 2 years ago
Since the exact Ornithology here was taken from a public radio airing, Mrs. Parker was unsure who was playing what, and I've been unable to find anywhere on the net an exact copy of this version of the song. Other songs of these "jams" do ID Blakey as the drummer, so I think the general belief you site is correct. Thanks.
pvelectric 1 year ago
@pvelectric
Boris Rose, the person responsible for preserving this performance for posterity, said that it was actually recorded on location. It was not a radio broadcast. He is also the source of the personnel. Aural evidence would support it. That's Blakey on drums. No doubt about Fats and Bud. I can't be sure about Curly Russell, but no reason to doubt it.
Jazzanswer 1 year ago
@Jazzanswer thanks for the more certain correct info on the personnel. I've heard so many piano players who try, very well, to sound and play like Bud Powell. this song exemplifies his advanced command of the new bebop form. True Peterson and Tristano, and other newer guys with which I'm unfamiliar, are stellar focal points of excellence in the art, but Powell is the epitome of what any jazz pianist should aspire to master at the get go.
pvelectric 1 year ago
@FatsBlows I used to own an old issue of this recording until I foolishly lent it to someone and it gave the drummer as Roy Haynes and the venue as the Cafe Society but I am sure your version is correct. Just to think Fats passed away just a few weeks after this recording, so sad.
CucarachaLa 1 year ago
@CucarachaLa tip on assuring your status as a musician: 1-Invite some other musicians over 2-They will want to borrow some music CDs, whatever format 3-loan all they want 4-when they never return, say where's my music at? 5-when they return, they will have an s-load of other music they will lay on you. 6-Smile and say how grateful you are. everyone will then know you are in it for the art's sake.
pvelectric 1 year ago
@pvelectric you're a good man, thanks for the advice, much appreciated
CucarachaLa 1 year ago
@FatsBlows It says in the liner notes, " Since these were broadcasts, we too are in possession of the tapes and wanted to add them to our catalogue of Parker milestones." Birdland, as you state, sounds like the most likely place where the group was playing, from what I can tell. What is your source documenting Blakey and Russell: "generally believed" isn't enough.
pvelectric 1 year ago
Comment removed
JckDupp 2 years ago