Charlie Parker: Parker's Mood
Track
Parker's Mood
Artist
Charlie Parker (alto sax)
CD
Best of the Complete Savoy & Dial Studio Recordings (Savoy SVY 17120)
Musicians:
Charlie Parker (alto sax), John Lewis (piano), Curly Russell (bass), Max Roach (drums).
Composed by Charlie Parker
.Recorded: September 18, 1948
Rating: 100/100 (learn more)
Bird’s playing on "Parker’s Mood" is often referred to as the greatest saxophone solo ever recorded. Parker opens with a fanfare, and John Lewis follows with a piano intro. Then Parker maintains a constant thread throughout, sustaining the song’s tension and purity, never doubling back or repeating a phrase. Lewis’ solo features touches of Bud Powell’s lush technique, and Parker returns on the back end, winding down the tune and ending with the same opening fanfare. But Lewis has the final say, finishing oddly on an unresolved chord. Bird is completely exposed here, and his emotional pain is all too evident. Five years later, in December 1953, King Pleasure added words to the song, grimly foreshadowing Parker’s own funeral. "Parker’s Mood" remains one of Bird’s most lyrical and enduring blues lines.
Reviewer: Marc Myers
Tags: alto sax · bebop · blues · kansas city jazz · parker's mood
1 response so far
Hi! First of all, congrats about the blog. Very informative! I have a doubt about Parker's Mood lyrics: I discovered another version by Eddie Jefferson's 1961 album called "Letter From Home" http://www.amazon.com/Letter-Home-Eddie-Jefferson/dp/B000000YH7/ref=pd_bxgy_m_img_b and its words are completely different than King Pleasure's one. You can listen a part of it at the link above. It makes me very confused, 'cause I thought King's version was the only one made. At least it is the more 'popular' version... Please, could you clarify it for me and, if possible, tell me where do I find these "new" Parker's Mood lyrics? Thanks in advance, Cheers, Ricardo Werther