Now’s the Time compiles two of Charlie Parker’s rare quartet dates (he usually recorded in a quintet format). Both are spectacular sessions, full of intricate originals by Bird, complemented by two beautiful readings of the standards “The Song Is You” and “I Remember You”. A 1950 quartet date (save for one track on which Bird is joined by the great Coleman Hawkins) and a 1951 quintet session with Red Rodney on trumpet have been added as a bonus.

1-6: Charlie Parker, alto sax

Hank Jones, piano

Teddy Kotick, bass

Max Roach, drums

New York, December 30, 1952.

7-13:

Charlie Parker, alto sax

Al Haig, piano

Percy Heath, bass

Max Roach, drums

New York, July 30, 1953.

*Bonus tracks

14-18: Coleman Hawkins (ts on 18 only), Hank Jones (p), Ray Brown (b), Buddy Rich (d).

New York, March-April 1950.

19-25: Red Rodney (tp), John Lewis (p), Ray Brown (b), Kenny Clarke (d).

New York, August 8, 1951.

All original sessions produced by Norman Granz.

1. The Song is You
2. Laird Baird
3. Kim
4. Kim [Alt Tk]
5. Cosmic Rays
6. Cosmic Rays [Alt Tk]
7. Chi Chi
8. Chi Chi [Alt Tk1]
9. Chi Chi [Alt Tk2]
10. Chi Chi [Alt Tk3]
11. I Remember You
12. Now's the Time
13. Confirmation
14. I'm In the Mood For Love*
15. Star Eyes*
16. Blues [Fast]*
17. Celebrity*
18. Ballade*
19. Si Si*
20. Swedish Schnapps*
21. Swedish Schnapps [Alt Tk]*
22. Back Home Blues*
23. Back Home Blues [Alt Tk]*
24. Lover Man*
25. Blues For Alice*