This new release is issued in the brand new, slimline rack-friendly packaging, which keeps all of the detail and production values of the original Properbox sets, but with each CD packaged in mini LP sleeves.

We remember Charlie Parker’s death, 50 years ago, with this box set that contains some of the most telling of Bird’s live-recordings. Here is the extraordinary alto saxophonist, a key figure in the evolution of jazz, in full flight. During his tragically short career it was evident to most observers that Charlie Parker was one of a kind. Though there were some who recoiled from the emotional message of his brilliant playing, there was a small but significant group of listeners even in the 1940s who realised that his work was something extraordinary and significant.

By the time of his death in 1955 it had become clear that, for all his personal failings, he had made an enormous contribution to the field of jazz. Now, 50 years after the event, he can be seen as one of the very few key figures in its evolution - and indirectly a huge influence on the wider world of American popular music.

Track Listing:
CD 1: BIRD TAKES OFF
1. CHEROKEE: Noble (1942)
2. I’M FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES: Kellette, Kenbrovin (1942)
3. SWEET GEORGIA BROWN: Bernie, Pinkard, Casey (1943)
4. GROOVIN’ HIGH: Gillespie (1945)
5. SHAW’NUFF: Gillespie, Brown, Fuller (1945)
6. DIZZY ATMOSPHERE: Gillespie (1945)
7. SALT PEANUTS: Gillespie, Clarke (1946)
8. ANTHROPOLOGY: Gillespie, Parker (1946)
9. BILLIE’S BOUNCE: Parker (1946)
10. BLUE ‘N BOOGIE: Gillespie (1946)
11. ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE: Kern, Hammerstein (1946)
12. ORNITHOLOGY: Harris, Parker (1946)
13. A NIGHT IN TUNISIA: Gillespie, Paparelle (1947)
14. DIZZY ATMOSPHERE: Gillespie (1947)
15. GROOVIN’ HIGH: Gillespie (1947)
16. CONFIRMATION: Parker (1947)
17. KO KO: Parker (1947)

CD 2: BIRD AT THE ROOST
1. 52ND STREET THEME: Monk (1948)
2. KO KO: Parker (1948)
3. GROOVIN’ HIGH: Gillespie (1948)
4. BIG FOOT: Parker (1948)
5. ORNITHOLOGY: Harris, Parker (1948)
6. SLOW BOAT TO CHINA: Loesser (1948)
7. HOT HOUSE: Dameron (1948)
8. SALT PEANUTS: Gillespie, Clarke (1948)
9. CHASIN’ THE BIRD: Parker (1948)
10. OUT OF NOWHERE: Heyman, Green (1948)
11. HALF NELSON: Davis (1948)
12. WHITE CHRISTMAS: Berlin (1948)
13. LITTLE WILLIE LEAPS: Davis (1948)
14. BEBOP: Gillespie (1949)
15. EAST OF THE SUN: Bowman (1949)
16. CHERYL: Parker (1949)
17. SCRAPPLE FROM THE APPLE: Parker (1949)
18. BARBADOS: Parker (1949)

CD 3: BIRD IN FLIGHT
1. WAHOO: McConologue (1950)
2. ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT: Monk, Williams, Hanighen (1950)
3. THIS TIME THE DREAM’S ON ME: Arlen, Mercer (1950)
4. DIZZY ATMOSPHERE: Gillespie (1950)
5. MOVE: Best (1950)
6. THE STREET BEAT: Thompson (1950)
7. OUT OF NOWHERE: Heyman, Green (1950)
8. LITTLE WILLIE LEAPS/52ND STREET THEME: Davis, Monk (1950)
9. ORNITHOLOGY: Harris, Parker (1950)
10. I’LL REMEMBER APRIL/52ND STREET THEME: Raye, De Paul, Monk (1950)
11. COOL BLUES/52ND STREET THEME: Parker, Monk (1950)

CD 4: BIRDLAND AND ELSEWHERE
1. ORNITHOLOGY: Harris, Parker (1949)
2. CHERYL: Parker (1949)
3. KO KO: Parker (1949)
4. BIRD OF PARADISE: Parker (1949)
5. NOW’S THE TIME: Parker (1949)
6. BLUE ‘N BOOGIE: Gillespie (1951)
7. ANTHROPOLOGY: Gillespie, Parker (1951)
8. ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT: Monk, Williams, Hanighen (1951)
9. NIGHT IN TUNISIA: Gillespie, Paparelli (1951)
10. HOT HOUSE: Dameron (1952)
11. LAURA: Rakin, Mercer (1952)
12. THIS TIME THE DREAM’S ON ME: Arlen, Mercer (1952)
13. COOL BLUES: Parker (1952)
14. LESTER LEAPS IN: Young (1952)
15. HOW HIGH THE MOON: Hamilton, Lewis (1952)
16. EMBRACEABLE YOU/52ND STREET THEME: Gershwin, Monk (1952)
17. EAST OF THE SUN: Bowman (1954)