Parker is commonly considered the greatest bebop jazz musician. In terms of influence and impact, his contribution to jazz was so great that Charles Mingus commented that if Bird were alive today, he would think he was living in a hall of mirrors. Bird's talent is compared almost without argument to such legendary musicians as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, and his reputation and legend as one of the best saxophonists is such that some critics say he was unsurpassed.
A founding figure of bebop, Parker's innovative approach to melody, rhythm and harmony have exerted an incalculable influence on jazz.. Several of Parker's songs have become standards of the repertoire, and innumerable musicians have studied Parker's music and absorbed elements of his style.
Parker became an icon for the Beat generation, and was a pivotal figure in the evolving conception of the jazz musician as an uncompromising artist and intellectual, rather than just a popular entertainer. At various times, Parker fused jazz with other musical styles, from classical (seeking to study with Edgard Varese and Stefan Wolpe) to Latin music (recordings with Machito), blazing paths followed later by others.
Parker was known for often showing up to performances without an instrument and borrowing someone else's at the last moment. At more than one venue he played on a plastic Grafton saxophone; later, saxophonist Ornette Coleman used this brand of plastic sax in his early career. On one particular occasion before a concert in Toronto, Canada, he had sold his saxophone to buy drugs, and at the last minute, he, Dizzy Gillespie and other members of Charlie's entourage went running around Toronto trying to find a saxophone. After scouring all the downtown pawnshops open at the time, they were only able to find a Grafton, which Parker proceeded to use at the concert that night. This concert is documented on the album Jazz at Massey Hall. The album is considered one of the greatest live recordings in Jazz history.
Parker's battles with alcoholism and heroin addiction ranged from his teenage years until his death from pneumonia and a bleeding ulcer at thirty-four. The toll that the drug had taken on his relatively young body was quite profound - a doctor examining Parker's body estimated him to be around sixty years old.
During his lifetime, tribute was paid to Parker when a new nightclub in New York was named Birdland in his honour in 1949.Three years later, George Shearing wrote "Lullaby of Birdland", which was named for both Parker and the nightclub.
Other phenomena also occurred in the United States after the death of Parker, particularly the use of the term "Bird lives" in graffiti throughout New York hours after his death, and later as the title of a contemporary art piece of the same name, created by sculptor Robert Graham in 1999. Despite its widespread use, Ted Joans is usually credited with its inception.
Flyin
Charlie Parker Lyrics
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Waiting for the plane to leave
And the captain says, "There'll be a short delay
Bear with me, please"
They gave us the usual hassle
"You can't take those guitars on board"
But the boys in the band just smiled
Heard it all before
And as they're starting to serve champagne
To the folks at the front of the plane
I can hear the engines roaring
We're on our way
And we are flying home
I feel the freedom in my soul
Flying home at last
Flying home
I've got the freedom in my soul
And it's four in the morning
My world is calling
Speeding through the universe tonight
The movie reminds of my lady
As she waits, "Where are those guys?"
Yes, it's nice to see old Butch and Sundance in the sky
And now the sun is beginning to rise
It's like looking down on Paradise
There's a ball of fire that's burning
Giving life
And we are flying home
I feel the freedom in my soul
Flying home at last
Flying home
I've got the freedom in my soul
And it's four in the morning
My world is calling
Speeding through the universe tonight
The lyrics of "Flyin' Home" by Charlie Parker and Ella Fitzgerald tell a story of a band on tour waiting on the runway to take off. The captain announces a short delay, and the band talks about how they can't take their guitars on the plane. However, they have heard it all before, and they continue to wait for the plane to take off. As they start to serve champagne, the engines roar, and they are on their way home.
The singer talks about feeling free as they fly home. They are speeding through the universe and calling it four in the morning, reminding them of their lady waiting for them. The song talks about how nice it is to see old Butch and Sundance in the sky, referencing two famous outlaws. They witness the sunrise, which is like looking down on paradise. There is a ball of fire burning, giving life and symbolizing new beginnings.
The lyrics of "Flyin' Home" are about the excitement of coming back home after being on a tour. The freedom that comes with being on the plane and leaving your worries behind, even if just for a moment. The song tells a story, and the lyrics are beautifully crafted to convey the emotions of the experience.
Line by Line Meaning
We're sitting out here on the runway
The band is currently waiting to take off on the airplane.
Waiting for the plane to leave
They are waiting for the airplane to depart from the runway.
And the captain says, "There'll be a short delay
Bear with me, please"
The captain informs the travelers that there will be a brief wait and requests them to be patient.
They gave us the usual hassle
"You can't take those guitars on board"
But the boys in the band just smiled
Heard it all before
The band went through the regular trouble at the airport when they were told that they could not carry their guitars on board but they didn't mind because it's something they've experienced before.
And as they're starting to serve champagne
To the folks at the front of the plane
I can hear the engines roaring
We're on our way
As the flight attendants commence to serve champagne to the first-class passengers, the band can hear the engines roaring, indicating they are taking off.
And we are flying home
I feel the freedom in my soul
Flying home at last
Flying home
I've got the freedom in my soul
The band members are headed home and are feeling relieved, knowing they finally have the freedom to be at home with their loved ones.
And it's four in the morning
My world is calling
Speeding through the universe tonight
The band feels the need to return home, and it is currently 4 AM as they are rapidly traveling through space.
The movie reminds of my lady
As she waits, "Where are those guys?"
Yes, it's nice to see old Butch and Sundance in the sky
The film reminds the band of their partners waiting for them at home and they feel at ease, seeing the distinctive Hollywood characters in the sky.
And now the sun is beginning to rise
It's like looking down on Paradise
There's a ball of fire that's burning
Giving life
As the sun rises, the band can see how beautiful the world looks from above. They recognize that the sun is the source of all life on earth.
And we are flying home
I feel the freedom in my soul
Flying home at last
Flying home
I've got the freedom in my soul
Once again, the band members are enjoying their flight home, feeling free and excited to return to their homes.
And it's four in the morning
My world is calling
Speeding through the universe tonight
It is 4 AM, and the band is hurtling through the universe, drawn back to their world by a strong connection.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN T. WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Louis Philippe
I'm jealous of the audience that was there to witness this spectacular collaboration
Philip Voerding
Bird, Pres, Ella, Flip, "Little David", the late 40s JATP rhythm section, and Oscar Peterson was first introduced at this concert. My father saw JATP in Minneapolis a few years earlier. The closest I ever got was seeing and meeting Ella Fitzgerald when I was 14 in 1974 with the Tommy Flanagan Trio. Roy Eldridge played the opening set.
Norman Granz was criticized a lot, though not by almost all musicians, but I think he packaged Jazz tours that allowed the musicians to get paid what they were worth. He produced lots of classic recordings along the way.
Jürgen Naeve
well this is…. fantastic!
Ole Birger Pedersen
It's announced as Parker record but himself is very little to hear.
lastknowngood0
Be Bop a Ruka ~ Love your Be Bop Ruru!
Meloş
Charlie parker chet baker