Charlie Parker

Being interested in jazz music, I was knowledgeable of Charlie Parker's existence. However, also being a newbie to jazz, I never really got around to exploring his music until very recently. It went like this: I was reading Miles Davis's autobiography, and as many of you jazz afficionados already know, Miles got his start playing in Charlie Parker's band. Miles spoke very positively of Charlie Parker's musical skill and vision. Then, one day I was at the library, and decided to check out a Charlie Parker compilation CD.

I put it on when I got home, and was instantly amazed at Parker's virtuosity on the sax. Many of the recordings also feature a major player in jazz: Dizzy Gillespie. The "Diz and Bird" ("Yardbird" and "Bird" were nicknames that Charlie Parker was known by) team produced some of jazz's most memorable and innovative songs. Both were on the forefront of the bebop movement, which featured fast tempos, virtuoso playing, and improvization based on harmonic structure. When I listened to the albums, I am amazed at how many notes they manage to fit in such a short period of time. Incredible.

Immediate;y it was clear to me why people are so into Charlie Parker. Here's Parker's story: He started off as a teenager playing the sax, and apparently wasn't very good. Many of those around him expressed their displeasure with his music. In response, Charlie Parker got busy and practiced intensely--up to 15 hours a day for a period of 3-4 years. As an older teenager, Parker was involved in an automobile accident that reportedly got him hooked on morphine. This addiction led to heroin, which would haunt Parker for life.

Parker played in several bands around his home state of Missouri. He was influenced by people like Count Basie and Lester Young--another saxophone visionary. Parker soon moved to New York, and joined other famous musicians from the legendary 52nd street scene such as Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie. This scene was the birth of the bebop movement, which was famously recalled as music that "they" (white people) could not play.

Unfortunately, Parker's heroin addiction caused him to miss performances. In addition, many of the performances that he did make it to, he was so ufcked up from the heroin and booze that he would nod off, and simply could not play as well as he could under normal conditions. His behavior became increasingly erratic, and at one point, he was committed to Camarillo State Hospital--A mental institution about an hour out of Los Angeles. Upon release, Parker appeared to be healthy, and returned to New York where his new-found health allowed him to do some of his best playing ever.

Parker went on to do an album that was a fusion of jazz and classical, entitled "Charlie Parker With Strings". At this point, Charlie Parker was one of the most famous jazz musicians in the world. He recorded several more legendary performances in the early 1950's that have all further solidified Parker's place in the history of jazz.

He died in 1955, at the age of 34. Years of abuse to his body caused the coroner to believe that Parker was in his 60s. Like many other musical visionaries, Parker worked hard and played hard. His musical genius is still respected and celebrated to this day.

Charlie Parker: An American music innovator and stellar performer. You have to hear this guy on vinyl to truly appreciate the intensity of his vision and playing. Get one today, and enjoy the music!

Hey everyone, so I know I write a lot about jazz, but I need to talk about another great group that has proven to be highly influential and successful...None other than The Beatles.

You see, I was looking through my web stats the other day, and it turns out that about half of the web traffic I get goes directly to my Beatles Vinyl page. In addition, it turns out that most of the search queries on my site are for Beatles related items. This is not very surprising to me, as I know that The Beatles are hands-down the largest selling musical act of all time. I figured I should write about The Beatles since so many people are coming here looking for Beatles stuff...So....

The Beatles are one of the most legendary groups of musicians ever.

In addition to achieving massive commercial success, The Beatles have proven to be highly influential to multiple generations of people, and have attained a spot in the history of all music.

I love every album The Beatles have released. Their songs are classics and have stood the test of time. You really can't say anything bad about The Beatles unless you're a hater, and if so...stop hating.

You have to hear their albums on vinyl. They sound warm and beautiful and great. They sound better on vinyl...trust me. Jeez, just get it for the big cover art...Sgt Pepper just doesn't look as good on a CD.

So, what are my top 3 Beatles albums??

#3: Revolver

Revolver is a nice mix of old and new Beatles. It has some poppy songs, mixed with some rocking songs, and of course, the occasional slow song. This was one of the first albums that I ever purchased on vinyl, and this record has seen a lot of playing time. Definitely a great album from a great group of musicians.

My favorite songs from the album are "Eleanor Rigby", "And Your Bird Can Sing" and "Tomorrow Never Knows".

#2: Abbey Road

My next favorite album is Abbey Road. This is The Beatles at their most experimental and obscure, yet at the same time, their most imaginative and unique. Abbey Road is a great rock album by any metric. It's too difficult to pick favorite songs on this one just because they are all so good. From the mellow "Sun King" to the dynamic "You Never Give Me Your Money", all the way to the joy and happiness of "Octopus's Garden". I love Abbey Road!

#1: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band

And now, my favorite Beatles album of them all...Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. I know that many other people feel the same way that I do. Apparently Sgt. Pepper is the #1 greatest album of all time according to Rolling Stone. Sgt. Pepper was the first ever concept album. The concept was to perform an imaginary concert for all of the people on the cover of the album. The music is unique, yet still very Beatles-like. The album goes through many different moods, with the title track's rock sound, to the deep and sad "She's Leaving Home", to the joy of "With a Little Help From My Friends", to the album's fatalistic ending with "A Day in the Life". This is a great album, and belongs in everyone's collection.

Seriously People: Enjoy the Music.

For more Beatles Records, Vinyl & LPs, visit this link.

Vinyl Revinyl: Beatles Records, Vinyl & LPs

PS

I just added my record selection to the Top 100 Beatles site, and you can vote for my site at the link below.

Also, there are tons of great Beatles sites out there, and many of them are listed at the Top 100 Beatles Sites. Check it out, you'll definitely find some good Beatles stuff.