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.
| Bird Songs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| 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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Reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
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]
Track listing
editAll 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 |
Personnel
editReferences
edit- ^ Fitzgerald, M. Kenny Barron Discography, accessed February 2, 2017
- ^ a b Cook, Stephen. Sphere – Bird Songs: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved February 2, 2017.