The Max Roach 4 Plays Charlie Parker Explained

The Max Roach 4 Plays Charlie Parker
Type:	Studio
Artist:	Max Roach
Cover:	The Max Roach 4 Plays Charlie Parker.jpg
Released:	1959
Recorded:	December 23, 1957 and April 11, 1958 New York City
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	56:36
Label:	EmArcy MG 36127
Chronology:	Max Roach
Prev Title:	Jazz in ¾ Time
Prev Year:	1957
Next Title:	MAX
Next Year:	1958

The Max Roach 4 Plays Charlie Parker is an album by American jazz drummer Max Roach featuring tracks associated with Charlie Parker recorded in late 1957 and 1958 and released on the EmArcy label.^[1] It is also the first album to feature Roach playing without a piano.

Reception

Allmusic awarded the album 4 stars stating "this set is generally fine although the lack of a piano is really felt on some of this material".^[2]

Track listing

All compositions by Charlie Parker except as indicated

1. "Yardbird Suite" - 3:55
2. "Confirmation" - 4:28
3. "Ko-Ko" - 7:59
4. "Billie's Bounce" - 5:37
5. "Au Privave" - 4:19
6. "Parker's Mood" - 8:23
7. "Raoul" (Max Roach) - 4:50 Bonus track on CD reissue
8. "This Time the Dream's on Me" (Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer) - 5:21 Bonus track on CD reissue
9. "Tune-Up" (Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson) - 7:46 Bonus track on CD reissue
10. "Anthropology (Thriving on a Riff)" (Dizzy Gillespie, Parker) - 5:06 Bonus track on CD reissue

• Recorded at Fine Recording in New York City on December 20, 1957 (tracks 7-9), December 23, 1957 (tracks 1, 2, 5 & 10) and at Nola's Penthouse Sound Studios in New York City on April 11, 1958 (tracks 3, 4 & 6)

Personnel

• Max Roach - drums
• Kenny Dorham - trumpet
• George Coleman (tracks 3, 4 & 6), Hank Mobley (tracks 1, 2, 5 & 7-10) - tenor saxophone
• Nelson Boyd (tracks 3, 4 & 6), George Morrow (tracks 1, 2, 5 & 7-10) - bass

Notes and References

1. http://www.jazzdisco.org/max-roach/catalog/#emarcy-mg-36127 Max Roach discography
2. Yanow, S. Allmusic Review accessed September 20, 2012