Another "unknown" . . . Leo Parker!

Ron Thorne · January-6th-2006, 02:01 AM

There are only so many hours in a day to tap into everything which might inspire and thrill us. I can't count the number of times I've heard a name, then discovered their talent, and said, "Damn, why haven't I seen/heard him/her before?"

Today, while driving home from some drum lessons, I heard a feature on NPR regarding some Blue Note saxophonist reissues, and a name I'd never heard before . . . Leo Parker. Originally an alto player, he switched to baritone saxophone at some point. Wow! Some or all of these tracks were from 45rpm releases.

At less than four bucks from Amazon, this one's a no-brainer!

Personnel: Leo Parker (baritone saxophone); Bill Swindell (tenor saxophone); John Burks (trumpet); Yusef Salim (piano); Stan Conover (double bass); Purnell Rice (drums). Liner Note Authors: Bob Lewis; Bob Blumenthal. Recording information: Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey (09/1961)

CD Reviews

By Kevin Whitehead

Lesser-Known Sax Players Get Their Due

Fresh Air from WHYY, January 5, 2006 · Blue Note has recently reissued recordings that feature three so-called "second-tier" saxophonists: The Complete Blue Note 45 Sessions by Ike Quebec; Tex Book Tenor by Booker Ervin; Let Me Tell You 'Bout It by Leo Parker.

John P. Cooper · January-6th-2006, 03:56 AM

For a long time now, I have had an LP on the Chess label (I think) by Leo Parker. Not what I would usually pick up, but I liked it.

I wonder if I still have it?

Ron Thorne · January-6th-2006, 04:32 AM

Both of the other Blue Note reissues are also very intriguing, but by much better known players.

I think that the only 45rpm tracks were those in the Ike Quebec reissue, actually.

Kevin Whitehead put together a very nice piece which you can hear by clicking here.

Pete C · January-6th-2006, 08:31 AM

Ron, I think you're familiar with Settin' the Pace, by Booker Ervin & Dexter Gordon. The original version was by Gordon & Leo Parker on Savoy in the 40's. He's on a bunch of classic bop dates.

Gary Sisco · January-6th-2006, 08:57 AM

Ain't anything "second tier" about Booker Ervin.

Ask Mingus.

Gary Sisco · January-6th-2006, 08:58 AM

That Ike Quebec double made my reissue list this year.

Tanager · January-6th-2006, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

Ain't anything "second tier" about Booker Ervin.

Ask Mingus.

Shit, I knew that even before I asked Mingus, but I held a seance to be sure.

Root Doctor · January-6th-2006, 09:16 AM

Ervin's "Tex Book Tenor," the disc Whitehead previewed, is available for $5.99, no shipping, from yourmusic.com.

Chris D · January-6th-2006, 10:15 AM

There's a two-LP Savoy reissue "The Bebop Boys" that has some killer early Leo Parker on it. Not sure it that's made it to CD.

Pete C · January-6th-2006, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

Ain't anything "second tier" about Booker Ervin.

Ask Mingus.

Or Randy Weston.

stonemonkts · January-6th-2006, 10:27 AM

Or Horace Parlan, which is almost the same as asking Mingus (in this case).

Ron Thorne · January-6th-2006, 04:14 PM

Or Alan Dawson!

Paul B · January-6th-2006, 04:33 PM

Quote:

That Ike Quebec double made my reissue list this year.

Ditto.

Kevin Bresnahan · January-6th-2006, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

At less than four bucks from Amazon, this one's a no-brainer!

The only "problem" that you might find with the $4 version from Amazon is that it'll likely be the ugly blue-tinted version from Spain. In this case, the source is the Japanese TOCJ CD, which sounds awesome. However, it's missing two bonus track that the new RVG reissue has and they're very good.

I have been shouting the praises of Parker's two Blue Note sessions for years. I constantly hound Michael Cuscuna to reissue them. Although I'm glad to see "Let Me Tell You 'Bout It" get reissued, he should have put out "Rollin' With Leo" first. "Rollin' With Leo" is loooooong oop. Never reissued in Japan (or Spain). I think if he had done "Rollin' With Leo", everybody could have gotten both of Parker's Blue Notes now.

BTW, if it is the Spanish CD, it was not licensed for sale in the US and Blue Note has tried like hell to keep these out. They were licensed to Time-Life in Spain and they were only to be sold via kiosks set up in special stores in Spain only. They got quite a deal from EMI too. That's why they're so cheap.

Kevin

Ron Thorne · January-6th-2006, 09:15 PM

Thanks, Kevin. I'll proceed accordingly. I want the RVG reissue, for sure!

BFrank · January-6th-2006, 09:23 PM

I heard that review, too, and thought the same thing.
Why haven't I heard that guy before?