Bird Songs | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1988 | |||
Recorded | March 12, 1988 | |||
Studio | Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ | |||
Genre | Jazz | |||
Length | 52:39 | |||
Label | Verve 837 032-1 | |||
Producer | Joanne Klein & Sphere | |||
Sphere chronology | ||||
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Kenny Barron chronology | ||||
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Bird Songs is an album by the group Sphere featuring saxophonist Charlie Rouse, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Buster Williams, and drummer Ben Riley that was recorded in 1988 and released on the Verve label. [1] The album features compositions written by or associated with Charlie Parker and was Charlie Rouse's last recording with the group prior to his death.
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
In his review on AllMusic, Stephen Cook states: "the band comes up with one of their finest releases and one of the most classic hard bop sessions since the heyday of Blue Note's '60s records. Rouse, fittingly enough, is in top form throughout, coming up with a bevy of rich and mature solo statements. Barron avails himself nicely as well. Highly recommended". [2]
All tracks are written by Charlie Parker except where noted
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Red Cross" | 5:50 |
2. | "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" (Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart) | 10:29 |
3. | "Dewey Square" | 6:47 |
4. | "Moose the Mooche" | 5:41 |
5. | "Barbados" | 5:08 |
6. | "Ah-Leu-Cha" | 5:48 |
7. | "Quasimodo" | 5:15 |
8. | "Just Friends" (John Klenner/Sam M. Lewis) | 7:41 |
Charles Anthony "Buster" Williams is an American jazz bassist. Williams is known for his membership in pianist Herbie Hancock's early 1970s group, as well as working with guitarist Larry Coryell, the Thelonious Monk repertory band Sphere and as the accompanist of choice for many singers, including Nancy Wilson.
Peg Leg is an album by jazz bassist Ron Carter, originally released on LP in 1978 and released on CD in 1991 by Fantasy Studios.
Sphere was an American jazz band which began as a tribute to pianist Thelonious Monk, whose middle name was "Sphere".
Piccolo is a 1977 release by the Ron Carter Quartet. The quartet consists of Ron Carter on piccolo bass, Kenny Barron on piano, Buster Williams on double bass, and Ben Riley on drums. The album was recorded live at Sweet Basil in New York City on March 25–26, 1977. Piccolo is considered one of Ron Carter's best albums from the late 1970s due to its excellent recording, live-club feel, and exquisite musicianship. After being brought together by Carter and playing in his quartet for a few years, Barron, Williams, and Riley went on to form Sphere with Charlie Rouse.
Bird Gets the Worm is an album led by saxophonist Cecil Payne recorded in 1976 and released on the Muse label. The album features composition written, recorded, or inspired by Charlie Parker.
Benjamin Alexander Riley Jr. was an American jazz drummer known for his work with Thelonious Monk, as well as Alice Coltrane, Stan Getz, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Ahmad Jamal, and as a member of the group Sphere. During the 1970s and 1980s he was a member of the New York Jazz Quartet.
Innocence is a studio album by American pianist Kenny Barron, recorded in 1978 and first released on the Wolf label.
Golden Lotus is an album by pianist Kenny Barron, recorded in 1980 and first released on the Muse label in 1982 before being reissued on CD by 32 Records with Sunset to Dawn in 1997.
Imo Live is a live album by pianist Kenny Barron that was recorded in Japan in 1982 and first released on the Whynot label in 1982 before being reissued on CD by Candid Records in 2010 as Live.
Green Chimneys is an album by pianist Kenny Barron which was recorded in Holland in 1983 and first released on the Dutch Criss Cross Jazz label. The 1988 CD reissue included six bonus tracks.
Invitation is an album by pianist Kenny Barron, recorded in late 1990 and first released on the Dutch Criss Cross Jazz label.
Lemuria-Seascape is an album by pianist Kenny Barron which was recorded in early 1991 and released on the Candid label.
Confirmation is a live album by pianists Kenny Barron and Barry Harris recorded as part of the 7th Annual Riverside Park Arts Festival in 1991 and released on the Candid label.
Live at Bradley's is a live album by pianist Kenny Barron recorded in New York in 1996 and first released on the French EmArcy label in Europe in 2001 then on Sunnyside Records in the US in 2002.
Four in One is the debut album by the group Sphere featuring pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Buster Williams, and Monk's former drummer Ben Riley, and his former saxophonist Charlie Rouse. The album was released by the Elektra/Musician label. Four in One was coincidentally recorded on the day of Monk's death in 1982, though the musicians were unaware of Monk's death during the recording session and had not planned the album as a memorial tribute.
Flight Path is the second album by the group the Sphere featuring saxophonist Charlie Rouse, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Buster Williams, and drummer Ben Riley that was recorded in 1983 and released on the Elektra/Musician label.
Sphere On Tour is a live album by the group Sphere featuring saxophonist Charlie Rouse, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Buster Williams, and drummer Ben Riley, recorded in Italy in 1985 and released on the Italian Red label.
Pumpkin's Delight is a live album by the group Sphere featuring saxophonist Charlie Rouse, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Buster Williams, and drummer Ben Riley, recorded at the Teatro Morlacchi in Perugia, Italy, as part of the 1986 Umbria Jazz Festival and released on the Italian Red label. The 1993 CD edition features four tracks first released on LP in 1987 as Live at Umbria Jazz.
Four for All is an album by the group Sphere featuring saxophonist Charlie Rouse, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Buster Williams, and drummer Ben Riley which was recorded in 1983 and released on the Verve label.
Sphere is an album by the American jazz group Sphere. It was recorded on October 4, 1997, in New York City and New Jersey, and was released in 1998 by Verve. The album features saxophonist Gary Bartz, replacing original band member Charlie Rouse, who died in 1988, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Buster Williams, and drummer Ben Riley. Sphere was the group's first album since 1988's Bird Songs.