Charlie Parker: Carvin' the Bird

Just weeks after his release from Camarillo State Hospital, Parker was back in Dials studios to record with trumpeter Howard McGhee, saxophonist Wardell Gray and other top West Coast bebop artists. What makes "Carvin the Bird" so specialin addition to Birds refreshed soundis Barney Kessels unusual guitar intro. Kessel opens with a series of thick, modern chordsa prototype, perhaps, for John Coltranes Giant Steps? Despite the crowd of musicians on this date, "Carvin the Bird" is an effective blues, with echoes of George Gershwins "Fascinating Rhythm," and marks the reemergence of Bird from an especially dark period.