Avant-garde tenor saxophonist
Archie Shepp
created a stir in 1977 when he recorded a set of hymns and folk melodies in melodic duets with pianist
Horace Parlan
. On February 6, 1980, he reunited with
Parlan
for a set of blues associated with
Bessie Smith
, and the following day, as a sort of sequel,
Shepp
played eight songs associated with
Charlie Parker
in collaboration with bassist
Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen
. Although never a bebopper,
does surprisingly well on such tunes as
"Moose the Mooche,"
"Ornithology," "Yardbird Suite" and "Confirmation," even if he makes the mistake of doubling on his erratic soprano during a few numbers.
pays tribute to
Bird
not by copying him, but by being creative and playing
Parker
's repertoire in his own sound. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow