Charlie Parker - The Complete Masters 1941-1954 (Decca boxed set)

[Guest]

Who knows about the Decca Complete Masters series? There's a Charlie Parker issue out at the end of November at around £25. That seems a very good deal to me. What quality are we talking about? What about session and personnel info? How complete is "complete"?

It'll mean a lot of duplicates for me (again), but that's what you get if you follow Bird...

[Pilchardman]

I've found out the following:

this box represents all of Parker’s masters as recorded between 1941 and 1954; they have been derived from the catalogues of Savoy, Dial and Verve. Parker exerted tremendous influence on his contemporaries as he pushed the envelope of jazz with his trailblazing approaches to melody, rhythm and harmony. Four of Parker’s recordings have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame: the singles “Billie’s Bounce” and “Ornithology,” and the albums Jazz at Massey Hall and Charlie Parker with Strings.

From here.

And the listing for the 13 CDs from here.

It looks very similar to the 10 CD Now's the Time box, but I haven't had a chance yet to compare the two systematically. I do notice that it has Sepian Bounce with Jay McShann, which isn't in the Now's the Time collection, and it has the Massey Hall sides (also not in Now's the Time), although like me you probably have that separately anyway.

[Bryn]

Strange that both this and the Bechet set only seem to be listed (U.K.) for 'pre-order' by Amazon. No sign at hmv.com or the other usual suspects.

[Pilchardman]

Strange that both this and the Bechet set only seem to be listed (U.K.) for 'pre-order' by Amazon. No sign at hmv.com or the other usual suspects.

Or, as we say in this country, for "order".

On closer inspection, I was wrong it having the Massey Hall sides.

[Bryn]

I just knew someone would have written a Wkiipedia topic re. 'pre-order':

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-order

[Pilchardman]

I wonder when it started being used? I'm guessing when "reserve a copy prior to release" was found to be too long for an Amazon button.

Here, in any case, is the Now's the Time track listing:

Disc 1
1 - Jay McShann & His Orchestra - Swingmatism (30/4/41)
2 - Jay McShann & His Orchestra - The Jumpin' Blues (2/7/42)
3 - Tiny Grimes Quintette - Tiny's Tempo (15/9/44)
4 - Tiny Grimes Quintette - I'll Always Love You Just The Same (15/9/44)
5 - Tiny Grimes Quintette - Romance Without Finance (15/9/44)
6 - Tiny Grimes Quintette - Red Cross (15/9/44)
7 - Clyde Hart's All Stars - Dream of You (4/1/45)
8 - Dizzy Gillespie Sextet - Groovin' High (28/2/45)
9 - Dizzy Gillespie Sextet - Dizzy Atmosphere (28/2/45)
10 - Dizzy Gillespie Sextet - All The Things You Are (28/2/45)
11 - Dizzy Gillespie and His All Stars - Salt Peanuts (11/5/45)
12 - Dizzy Gillespie and His All Stars - Shaw' Nuff (11/5/45)
13 - Dizzy Gillespie and His All Stars - Hot House (11/5/45)
14 - Red Norvo and His Selected Sextet - Hallelujah (6/6/45)
15 - Red Norvo and His Selected Sextet - Get Happy (6/6/45)
16 - Red Norvo and His Selected Sextet - Slam Slam Blues (6/6/45)
17 - Red Norvo and His Selected Sextet - Congo Blues (6/6/45)
18 - Sir Charles Thompson and His All Stars - Takin' Off (4/9/45)
19 - Sir Charles Thompson and His All Stars - 20th Century Blues (4/9/45)
20 - Sir Charles Thompson and His All Stars - The Street Beat (4/9/45)

Disc 2
1 - Charlie Parker's Re-Boppers - Warming Up A Riff (26/11/45)
2 - Charlie Parker's Re-Boppers - Billie's Bounce (26/11/45)
3 - Charlie Parker's Re-Boppers - Now's The Time (26/11/45)
4 - Charlie Parker's Re-Boppers - Thriving On A Riff (26/11/45)
5 - Charlie Parker's Re-Boppers - Meandering (26/11/45)
6 - Charlie Parker's Re-Boppers - Ko-Ko (26/11/45)
7 - Slim Gaillard and His Orchestra - Dizzy's Boogie (29/12/45)
8 - Slim Gaillard and His Orchestra - Flat Foot Floogie (29/12/45)
9 - Slim Gaillard and His Orchestra - Poppity Pop (29/12/45)
10 - Slim Gaillard and His Orchestra - Slim's Jam (29/12/45)
11 - Tempo Jazz Men/Dizzy Gillespie Jazzmen - Diggin' Diz (Bongo Beep) (5/2/46)
12 - Charlie Parker Septet - Moose The Mooche (28/3/46)
13 - Charlie Parker Septet - Yardbird Suite (28/3/46)
14 - Charlie Parker Septet - Ornithology (28/3/46)
15 - Charlie Parker Septet - A Night In Tunisia (28/3/46)
16 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Max Making Wax (29/7/46)
17 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Lover Man (29/7/46)
18 - Charlie Parker Quintet - The Gypsy (29/7/46)
19 - Howard McGhee Quintet - Dizzy's Fingers (Be-Bop) (29/7/46)
20 - Charlie Parker Quartet with Earl Coleman - This Is Always (19/2/47)


Disc 3
1 - Charlie Parker Quartet with Earl Coleman - Dark Shadows (19/2/47)
2 - Charlie Parker Quartet - Bird's Nest (19/2/47)
3 - Charlie Parker Quartet - Cool Blues (19/2/47)
4 - Charlie Parker's New Stars - Relaxin' At Camarillo (26/2/47)
5 - Charlie Parker's New Stars - Cheers (26/2/47)
6 - Charlie Parker's New Stars - Carvin' The Bird (26/2/47)
7 - Charlie Parker's New Stars - Stupendous (26/2/47)
8 - Charlie Parker All Stars - Donna Lee (8/5/47)
9 - Charlie Parker All Stars - Chasin' The Bird (8/5/47)
10 - Charlie Parker All Stars - Cheryl (8/5/47)
11 - Charlie Parker All Stars - Buzzy (8/5/47)
12 - Miles Davis All Stars - Milestones (14/8/47)
13 - Miles Davis All Stars - Little Willie Leaps (14/8/47)
14 - Miles Davis All Stars - Half Nelson (14/8/47)
15 - Miles Davis All Stars - Slippin' At Bells (14/8/47)
16 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet - Dexterity (28/10/47)
17 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet - Bongo Bop (28/10/47)
18 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet - Dewey Square (28/10/47)
19 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet - The Hymn (28/10/47)
20 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet - Bird of Paradise (28/10/47)

Disc 4
1 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet - Embraceable You (28/10/47)
2 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet - Bird Feathers (4/11/47)
3 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet - Klactoveedsedstene (4/11/47)
4 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet - Scrapple from the Apple (4/11/47)
5 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet - My Old Flame (4/11/47)
6 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet - Out of Nowhere (4/11/47)
7 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet - Don't Blame Me (4/11/47)
8 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet with JJ Johnson - Drifting On A Reed (17/12/47)
9 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet with JJ Johnson - Quasimodo (17/12/47)
10 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet with JJ Johnson - Charlie's Wig (17/12/47)
11 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet with JJ Johnson - Bongo Beep (Dexterity) (17/12/47)
12 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet with JJ Johnson - Crazeology (17/12/47)
13 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet with JJ Johnson - How Deep Is The Ocean? (17/12/47)
14 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet - Another Hair Do (21/12/47)
15 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet - Bluebird (21/12/47)
16 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet - Klaunstance (21/12/47)
17 - Original Charlie Parker Quintet - Bird Gets The Worm (21/12/47)
18 - Charlie Parker All Stars - Barbados (18/9/48)
19 - Charlie Parker All Stars - Ah-Leu-Cha (18/9/48)
20 - Charlie Parker All Stars - Constellation (18/9/48)


Disc 5
1 - Charlie Parker All Stars - Parker's Mood (18/9/48)
2 - Charlie Parker All Stars - Perhaps (24/9/48
3 - Charlie Parker All Stars - Marmaduke (24/9/48)
4 - Charlie Parker All Stars - Steeplechase (24/9/48)
5 - Charlie Parker All Stars - Merry-Go-Round (24/9/48)
6 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Segment (5/5/49)
7 - Charlie Parker Septet - Cardboard (Feb/Mar 1949)
8 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Passport (5/5/49)
9 - Charlie Parker Quartet - Star Eyes (March 1950)
10 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Ballade (October 1950)
11 - Dizzy Gillespie & The Charlie Parker Quintet - Bloomdido (6/6/50)
12 - Dizzy Gillespie & The Charlie Parker Quintet - My Melancholy Baby (6/6/50)
13 - Dizzy Gillespie & The Charlie Parker Quintet - Relaxin' With Lee (6/6/50)
14 - Dizzy Gillespie & The Charlie Parker Quintet - Leap Frog (6/6/50)
15 - Dizzy Gillespie & The Charlie Parker Quintet -An Oscar for Treadwell (6/6/50)
16 - Dizzy Gillespie & The Charlie Parker Quintet - Mohawk (6/6/50)
17 - Dizzy Gillespie & The Charlie Parker Quintet - My Melancholy Baby (alt.) (6/6/50)
18 - Dizzy Gillespie & The Charlie Parker Quintet - Relaxin' With Lee (alt.) (6/6/50)
19 - The Metronome All Stars - Overtime (3/1/49)
20 - The Metronome All Stars - Victory Ball (3/1/49)

Disc 6
1 - Jazz At The Philharmonic - Oh Lady Be Good (25/3/46)
2 - Charlie Parker Quintet - A Night In Tunisia (Carnegie Hall) (29/9/47)
3 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Dizzy Atmosphere (Carnegie Hall) (29/9/47)
4 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Groovin' High (Carnegie Hall) (29/9/47)
5 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Confirmation (Carnegie Hall) (29/9/47)
6 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Ko-Ko (Carnegie Hall (29/9/47)
7 - Jazz At The Philharmonic - Embraceable You (16/9/49)
8 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Ornithology (Carnegie Hall) (24/12/49)
9 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Cheryl (Carnegie Hall) (24/12/49)
10 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Ko-Ko (Carnegie Hall) (24/12/49)
11 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Bird of Paradise (Carnegie Hall) (24/12/49)
12 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Now's The Time (Carnegie Hall) (24/12/49)

Disc 7
1 - Jazz at the Philharmonic - Sweet Georgia Brown Part 1 & 2 (28/1/46)
2 - Jazz at the Philharmonic - Lady Be Good Parts 1 & 2 (28/1/46)
3 - Norman Granz Session - Ballad Medley (5/6/52)
4 - Norman Granz Session - What Is This Thing Called Love? (5/6/52)
5 - Norman Granz Session - Jam Blues (5/6/52)


Disc 8
1 - Machito and His Orchestra - Mango Mangue (20/12/48)
2 - Machito and His Orchestra - No Noise (Parts 1 & 2) (20/12/48)
3 - Charlie Parker's Jazzers - My Little Suede Shoes (12/3/52)
4 - Machito and His Orchestra - Okiedoke (January 1949)
5 - Charlie Parker's Jazzers - Un Poquito De Tu Amor (12/3/52)
6 - Charlie Parker's Jazzers - Why Do I Love You? (12/3/52)
7 - Charlie Parker's Jazzers - Tico-Tico (12/3/52)
8 - Charlie Parker's Jazzers - Fiesta (12/3/52)
9 - Machito and His Orchestra - Afro Cuban Jazz Suite
A. Introduction - Cancion
B. Mambo
C. Transition
D. Introduction to the 6/8
E. 6/8
F. Transition and Jazz
G. Rhumba Abierta
H. Coda
10 - Charlie Parker's South of the Border Band - La Cucaracha (28/1/52)
11 - Charlie Parker's South of the Border Band - Mama Inez (28/1/52)
12 - Charlie Parker's South of the Border Band - Estrelita (28/1/52)
13 - Charlie Parker's South of the Border Band - La Paloma (28/1/52)
14 - Charlie Parker's South of the Border Band - Begin The Beguine (28/1/52)

[Pilchardman]

Disc 9
1 - Jazz At The Philharmonic - The Opener (18/9/49)
2 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Lover Man (8/1/51)
3 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Swedish Schnapps (8/1/51)
4 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Blues for Alice (8/1/51)
5 - Charlie Parker Quintet - K.C. Blues (17/1/51)
6 - Charlie Parker Quintet - She Rote (17/1/51)
7 - Charlie Parker Quintet - Star Eyes (17/1/51)
8 - Norman Granz Session - Funky Blues (5/6/52)
9 - Charlie Parker Big Band - I Can't Get Started (25/3/52)
10 - Charlie Parker Big Band - What Is This Thing Called Love? (25/3/52)


Disc 10
1 - Charlie Parker with Strings - Easy To Love (5/7/50)
2 - Charlie Parker with Strings - Summertime (30/11/49)
3 - Charlie Parker with Strings -I Didn't Know What Time It Was (30/11/49)
4 - Charlie Parker with Strings - If I Should Lose You (30/11/49)
5 - Charlie Parker with Strings - Just Friends (30/11/49)
6 - Charlie Parker with Strings - Everything Happens To Me (30/11/49)
7 - Charlie Parker with Strings - I'm In the Mood for Love (5/7/50)
8 - Charlie Parker with Strings - I'll Remember April (5/7/50)
9 - Charlie Parker with Strings - Dancing in the Dark (5/7/50)
10 - Charlie Parker with Strings - Out of Nowhere (5/7/50)
11 - Charlie Parker with Strings - Laura (5/7/50)
12 - Charlie Parker with Strings - East of the Sun (5/7/50)
13 - Charlie Parker with Strings - They Can't Take That Away From Me (5/7/50)
14 - Charlie Parker and His Orchestra - Temptation (22/1/52)
15 - Charlie Parker and His Orchestra - Lover (22/1/52)
16 - Charlie Parker and His Orchestra - Autumn in New York (22/1/52)
17 - Charlie Parker and His Orchestra - Stella By Starlight (22/1/52)