Complete Charlie Parker on Dial cover

Released 30 years ago

Complete Charlie Parker on Dial

Charlie Parker · 1996

256 min · 89 tracks · jazz

A vibrant collection of bebop's finest moments, showcasing intricate melodies and fast-paced improvisation that define Charlie Parker's genius.

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Top tracks — play these first

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    Diggin' Diz Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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    Ornitology (take 1) — This track exemplifies Parker's ability to transform a familiar standard into a breathtaking display of technical prowess and creativity, making it a quintessential bebop piece.
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    Moose the Mooche (take 2, Master) — As one of Parker's signature compositions, this rendition showcases his unique phrasing and melodic inventiveness while also highlighting his collaboration with fellow musician Dizzy Gillespie.
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    Night in Tunisia (take 4) — This version captures a vibrant interplay between rhythm and melody, showcasing how Parker reinterprets the tune with intricate solos that reflect his innovative approach to jazz.
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    Relaxin' at Camarillo (take D, Master) — This track stands out as a serene yet complex exploration of harmony and rhythm, demonstrating Parker's emotional depth alongside technical mastery.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
78 /100
Summit
Higher than 99% of albums we've rated

This compilation showcases Parker's improvisational brilliance with varied takes but lacks a cohesive narrative flow.

What we noticed

  • The album features multiple takes of key songs, allowing listeners to hear variations in Parker's improvisation and phrasing.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
9/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
8/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
9/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 8/10

Defined its genre or moment. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic exploration of themes
  • improvisational mastery on display
  • headphone detail hunting
  • wave-like pacing throughout
  • vibrant tapestry of melodies

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer straightforward song structures
  • seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Critical Peak — Highlights essential recordings that define Parker's legacy and bebop's evolution.
Themes
bebop innovation· Camarillo serenity· Dizzy Gillespie collaboration
Moods
Intense· Focus
Career context
Released in 1996, this compilation highlights Charlie Parker's essential recordings from the Dial label, pivotal in establishing his legacy. Although Parker passed away in 1955, his influence continued to grow posthumously, making this collection an important resource for understanding bebop's evolution and Parker's role within it. This album assembles various takes of iconic tracks, illustrating the creative process behind Parker's innovative sound.
Stylistic neighbors
Dizzy Gillespie· Thelonious Monk· Miles Davis
New to Charlie Parker? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Diggin' Diz Start here 2:58
  • 2 Moose the Mooche (take 1) 3:02
  • 3 Moose the Mooche (take 2, Master) 3:07
  • 4 Moose the Mooche (take 3) 3:00
  • 5 Yardbird Suite (take 1) 2:44
  • 6 Yardbird Suite (take 4, Master) 2:59
  • 7 Ornitology (take 1) 3:06
  • 8 Ornithology (A.K.A. Bird Lore) (take 3) 3:21
  • 9 Ornithology (take 4, Master) 3:04
  • 10 Night in Tunisia (excerpt) (The Famous Alto Break) 0:52
  • 11 Night in Tunisia (take 4) 3:10
  • 12 Night in Tunisia (take 5, Master) 3:07
  • 13 Max Making Wax 2:35
  • 14 Lover Man 3:24
  • 15 The Gypsy 3:08
  • 16 Dizzy's Fingers (Be-Bop) 3:00
  • 17 Yardbird Suite 2:14
  • 18 Blues on the Sofa 0:47
  • 19 Kopely Plaza Blues 1:07
  • 20 Lullaby in Rhythm, Part 1 1:30
  • 21 Lullaby in Rhythm, Part 2 1:35
  • 22 Home Cooking I (Opus) 2:24
  • 23 Home Cooking II (Cherokee) 2:09
  • 24 Home Cooking III (I Got Rhythm) 2:26

Disc 2

  • 1 This Is Always 3:18
  • 2 This Is Always (alternate take) 3:13
  • 3 Dark Shadows (A - alternate) 4:06
  • 4 Dark Shadows (B - alternate) 3:15
  • 5 Dark Shadows (take C - Master) 3:09
  • 6 Dark Shadows (take D - alternate) 3:01
  • 7 Bird's Nest (take a, Master) 2:55
  • 8 Bird's Nest (take B, alternate) 2:53
  • 9 Bird's Nest (take C, alternate) 2:47
  • 10 Cool Blues (take a, alternate) 2:03
  • 11 Cool Blues (take B, alternate) 2:27
  • 12 Cool Blues (take C, alternate) 3:12
  • 13 Cool Blues (take D, Master) 2:56
  • 14 Relaxin' at Camarillo (take a) 3:10
  • 15 Relaxin' at Camarillo (take C) 3:10
  • 16 Relaxin' at Camarillo (take D) 3:06
  • 17 Relaxin' at Camarillo (take E, Master) 3:02
  • 18 Cheers (take a) 3:13
  • 19 Cheers (take B) 3:08
  • 20 Cheers (take C) 3:05
  • 21 Cheers (take D) 3:07
  • 22 Carvin' the Bird (take a, alternate) 2:48
  • 23 Carvin' the Bird (take B, Master) 2:48
  • 24 Stupendous (take a, Master) 2:58
  • 25 Stupendous (take B, alternate) 2:55

Disc 3

  • 1 Dexterity (take a, alternate) 3:01
  • 2 Dexterity (take B, Master) 3:03
  • 3 Bongo Bop (take A) 2:48
  • 4 Bongo Bop (take B) 2:49
  • 5 Prezology 3:33
  • 6 Dewey Square (take 5) 3:07
  • 7 Dewey Square (take C) 3:12
  • 8 The Hymn 2:36
  • 9 Superman 2:33
  • 10 All The Things You Are 3:13
  • 11 Bird of Paradise (take B) 3:15
  • 12 Bird of Paradise (take C) 3:16
  • 13 Embraceable You (take A) 3:52
  • 14 Embraceable You (take B) 3:29
  • 15 Bird Feathers 2:56
  • 16 Klact-Oveedseds-Tene (take A) 3:09
  • 17 Klact-Oveedseds-Tene (take B) 3:10
  • 18 Scrapple From the Apple 2:44
  • 19 Little Be Bop 2:57

Disc 4

  • 1 My Old Flame 3:18
  • 2 Out of Nowhere (take a) 4:08
  • 3 Out of Nowhere (take B) 3:55
  • 4 Out of Nowhere (take C) 3:11
  • 5 Don't Blame Me 2:54
  • 6 Giant Swing 3:01
  • 7 Drifting on a Reed 2:58
  • 8 Air Conditioning 2:57
  • 9 Quasimado (Quasimodo) (take a, alternate) 2:59
  • 10 Quasimado (Quasimodo) (take B, Master) 2:57
  • 11 Charlie's Wig (take B, alternate) 2:50
  • 12 Charlie's Wig (take D, alternate) 2:49
  • 13 Charlie's Wig (take E, Master) 2:46
  • 14 Bongo Beep (take B) 3:02
  • 15 Bongo Beep (take C) 3:02
  • 16 Crazeology (take A, excerpt) 1:01
  • 17 Crazeology (take B, excerpt) 0:36
  • 18 Crazeology (take C, alternate) 3:02
  • 19 Crazeology (take D, Master 2) 3:03
  • 20 How Deep Is the Ocean? (take a, Master) 3:26
  • 21 How Deep Is the Ocean? (take B, alternate) 3:06

What to play next

Bird Up - The Charlie Parker Remix Project Special Edition EP
Listen next

Bird Up - The Charlie Parker Remix Project Special Edition EP

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This remix project offers a fresh take on Parker's work, maintaining the bebop essence while introducing new sounds.
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Charlie Parker with Strings

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata