This Jazz Man

Book Description

In this toe-tapping jazz tribute, the traditional "This Old Man" gets a swinging makeover, and some of the era's best musicians take center stage. The tuneful text and vibrant illustrations bop, slide, and shimmy across the page as Satchmo plays one, Bojangles plays two . . . right on down the line to Charles Mingus, who plays nine, plucking strings that sound "divine."

Easy on the ear and the eye, this playful introduction to nine jazz giants will teach children to count--and will give them every reason to get up and dance!

Includes a brief biography of each musician.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Just Needs A Musical CD !!!!.......2007-04-23

I love this book! My son is 20 months and loves this book the rhythm of the words, the numbers, the clapping the sounds of the instruments. What would be excellent if there was an auditory accompaniment to the book. A taping of someone reading the book who can demonstrate the sounds or even better a taping that included musical instruments playing.
I know a lot of people would LOVE to hear it as well and it would be an excellent teaching tool. Please forward this to the appropriate individuals and if possible keep me updated on the release date of the cd. Thank YOU for writing such an awesome, entertaining and needed book!

Encore! We want more!.......2007-03-22

Oooh, this book made me what to rap and tap and beedle-di-bop! Which is quite somethin', since I don't have a musical bone in my body!
This is a great book-the text jives off the page and the illustrations thimp dumple thump right along. What a great way to teach kids about jazz legends!
Hats off to Ehrdhardt and Roth for a beautiful book!
Encore!

A great read aloud for kids!.......2007-03-07

I am an elementary school media specialist for grades 1 - 5. I read this book to my first and second graders. By the third jazz man they were chanting along with me. By the fifth man we were all singing along with the familiar song tune. They loved the scat phrases and repeated them over and over. What a bonus that these men are actual jazz legends. I highly recommend this book for a great musical read.

Jude's Review of Jazz Man.......2007-01-21

I'm 3 and my Grandmother Helene reads this book to me. She said that my Doctor Beth gave it to me and my sister Scarlett and the author signed it. That made me smile.

I really like this book. My grandmother sings me it and i like music and instruments and can name the saxophone and trumpet and drums.I like the pictures of the conga drums.

I usually say, " read it again" when she's done and I can almost pick out all the numbers now too. Jude Stulb, Pueblo Colorado

This Great Book! (More and More Honors!) .......2006-10-05

Note: Since writing the review below, I've discovered that "This Jazz Man" has received three (and counting) prestigious honors in the last month or so: A Nick Jr. Book of the Year for Children, one of the N.Y. Public Libraries Top 100 books to Read to Kids, and one of a very few named by National Public Radio as a best children's book of the year!

February 2007 Update: This Jazz Man is on the cover of the February "Crickets" magazine! In addition, it was shortlisted as a top book by the Cooperative Children's Book Center, and is being used as a teaching tool for a Smithsonian Museum (yes, that Smithsonian!) exhibit.

If you've bought this book, you and I share a certain nose for kids' books; if you haven't, you'll discover a book that's snappy and swinging, fun and informative. My original review follows.

"Doodly-doodly-Doot-doot! Toot-Toot!"

That's Karen Ehrhardt's delightful take on a Dizzy Gillespie trumpet line, and like the rest of this sparkling first book, every note rings joyous and true. In a somewhat daring move, Ms. Ehrhardt airs out the musty English poem, "This Old Man," with jazz-infused lyrics, and distills the essence of nine jazz giants: Louis Armstrong, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Chano Pozo, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Art Blakey, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charles Mingus.

The improvisations in "This Jazz Man" are authentic and fun--the text is made for reading out loud! Listen to this evocation of Charlie Parker, for example:

This jazz man, he plays five,
He plays bebop, he plays jive,
With a Deedle-di-bop! Bebop!
Give the man a hand,
This jazz man blows with the band.

Within the 5-line format of the original song, the author conveys the sound and spirit of these artists, while keeping the tone light and understandable for her young, perhaps jazz-naive audience (about 3 to 7 years-old). Along with each Jazz Man's stanza are the sounds and rhythms of his performance -- depicted in text incorporated with each illustration. When drummer Art Blakey "plays solos with his sticks" and "beats with the band," the percussive sounds "Chikka-chee! Chikka-chee! Bubbuda-bubbuda-bubbuda-BOMP!" pulse over his vibrating cymbals. Following the `performance,' older readers (and adults) can learn more about Blakey -- his innovation of the "press roll" and his role in nurturing new talent -- in the book's afterward. Riffing on the customary introductions of band members at jazz gigs ("Playing 4, form Washington, D.C... Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington"), the book briefly spotlights the life of each Jazz Man.

Illustrator R. G. Roth complements Ehrhardt's narrative pictures with multi-media illustrations that are playfully retro yet fresh and child-friendly. Airy compositions help children see the relaxed, expansive pose of the smiling Louis Armstrong, the verve and rhythmic creativity of "Chano" Pozo (how many times have you seen him in a jazz book for kids?), the playful attack of Fats Waller, and the stature and majesty of Charles Mingus. Roth displays a repertoire of textures and soft, engaging colors, and makes subtle references to Birdland, the Newport Jazz Festival, and other venues along the edges of book's `stage. For the small fry, a cute and playfully elusive mouse plays hide and seek throughout the book. "This Jazz Man" has an exhilarating finale -- after each man plays (1 through 9), all of the jazz icons appear on stage together:

This jazz band, they play ten,
We beg them to play again,
With an "Encore, we want more!"
Give them all a hand"
These jazz men make one great band!

"This Jazz Man" gets it right, rhymes it tight, and entertains without misrepresenting. (To put this achievement in context, too many kids' "jazz" books really focus on the blues--usually the rural blues, seen through an awkward sentimentalism--or solely on dance. Sometimes they confuse eras, portraying any jazz singer as a combination of Bessie Smith, post-WWII hep cats, and 1950's beats, with a dash of oddly misplaced 1970's styles.)

"This Jazz Man" is a natural for school or library audiences, rambunctious group singing, the first efforts of beginning readers, or as a bedtime treat for toddlers. One doesn't need to know one lick about jazz to enjoy the musicality of the rhymes and the understated but compelling jazz portraits: They stand on their own. In addition, teachers can easily adapt "This Jazz Man" to language units, numbers and counting, music appreciation, art, solo and group singing. Older students may delve further into the lives and times of the musicians through Ehrhardt's rich yet compact biographical sketches in the afterward. (Offhand, I can't think of any book--for kids or adults--that so succinctly and eloquently describes each musician's significance.) For readers who'd like to sample the actual music, Ehrhardt recommends recorded works for each Jazz Man: a couple tracks for each musician, and even two feature films (available on video) that display Bojangles' tapping talents. (Perhaps in future editions of this book, the publishers could include a companion CD/DVD.)

With apologies to the author--though inspired by her:

This jazz fan, I count one,
"This Jazz Man" is lots of fun!
With a smile and a nod and an "ain't that grand!"
Let's give Ehrhardt a great big hand!

Average customer rating:

Unputdownable
WOW
A happy return to form
Pleasant Surprise
Has Bird lost his mojo?

The Unquiet: A Thriller
John Connolly
Manufacturer: Atria
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0743298934
Release Date: 2007-05-15

Book Description

But that is the nature of revenge. It escalates. It cannot be controlled. One hurt invites another, on and on until the original injury is all but forgotten in the chaos of what follows.

John Connolly's originality and talent for storytelling have quickly made him one of today's preeminent thriller writers. Now, in The Unquiet, private detective Charlie Parker returns to untangle a horrifying story of betrayal, unclean desires, and murder -- a story of never-ending evil whose conclusion is not yet written.

Daniel Clay, a once-respected psychiatrist, has gone missing. His daughter insists that he killed himself after allegations surfaced that he had betrayed his patients to foul and evil men -- but when a killer obsessed with uncovering the truth behind his own daughter's disappearance comes seeking revenge, long-forgotten secrets begin to emerge. Hired by Dr. Clay's daughter to protect her from the predator on the loose, tortured and ingenious private detective Charlie Parker finds himself trapped between those who want the truth to be revealed and those who will go to any length to keep it hidden.

John Connolly masterfully intertwines secret lives and secret sins with the violence that so often lies beneath the surface of the honeycomb world in this gripping page-turner. Fast-paced, hypnotic, and elegantly written, The Unquiet is John Connolly at his chilling best.

Customer Reviews:

Unputdownable.......2007-08-30

I am not normally a fan of detective or thriller books because they often seem like the same old story. I thoroughly enjoyed The Unquiet, however, and found it difficult to put down. Part of my enjoyment may have come from having met the author at a reading several months ago when the book first came out. Some people said that this book could not be understood by readers unfamiliar with the earlier books in the series, but I had no difficulty following the story. Connolly brought all of the characters to life for me. I felt as though I knew these people, and I cared what happened to them. I did not feel that the book was too long, even though it is a large book because Connolly does such a wonderful job of pacing the story. I read all 418 pages, plus the acknowledgements in a matter of a few days because the story was riveting. For those who wonder about The Guesser mentioned in the opening pages, read the final paragraph of the acknowledements. Connolly's dialogue was particularly good. It captured language that was neither too formal, too stiff, or too loose. He used language appropriate for the scene. I enjoyed following the clues, and Connolly's descriptions brought places, people, and times to life. I found the book to be as enchanting as the author himself. By the way, the music mentioned in the book can be also be located.

WOW.......2007-08-11

After "The Black Angel," I wasn't quite as eager for "The Unquiet" as I would have liked to have been. I guess I was worried that it was going to be a little bit of a letdown, as I personally found TBA to be. Turns out, I was worried for no reason. "The Unquiet" introduces its plot and characters, and then steps back and lets everything unfold neatly. It is a bit more of a linear tale than TBA was, and everything seems to jibe more evenly. Almost like the story wrote itself, actually.

Charlie Parker is hired by the daughter of a missing and presumed-dead doctor - apparently an infuriated parent hell-bent on revenge has been stalking her, demanding that she tell him everything she knows about her father's whereabouts. As is always the case, it is not as simple as it all appears, and before long the body count rises and it's up to Parker and his associates Angel and Louis to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Connolly is back on top of things here. The writing is nice and tight, and as always, Parker is a wonderfully flawed protagonist. Sadly, Angel and Louis make the briefest of appearances - which is a shame, because they have always been such a wonderful duo. I would have liked to see more of them here.

Sorry for doubting you, Connolly. I look forward to the next one.

A happy return to form.......2007-08-09

First Sentence: This world is full of broken things: broken hearts and broken promises, broken people.

PI Charlie Parker is hired to protect Rebecca Clay. Her father, Daniel, was once a respected psychiatrist but many years ago, after his career was ruined by information being released about the harm children suffered while in his care, he disappeared. Rebecca is certain Daniel is dead but Merrick, the father of one of the children, is convenience she knows where Daniel is, and he's not going to stop until he find out.

I am so glad Connolly has returned to writing the type of book that made me a fan. His books are definitely not for everyone. The story is still dark, gruesome, at times scary and has a large body count. But it is also atmospheric, lyrical and completely enthralling. Connolly really captures the feeling of Maine, particularly some of the small towns near the Canadian border. Having personally been to Jackson, boy did that ring true. While it may not have been quite up to the level of Connolly's first books in the series, it was a heck of a lot better than the last couple. I hope Connolly stays on this path and am really looking forward to seeing where Charlie's life goes from here.

Pleasant Surprise.......2007-08-09

I am a newcomer to John Connelly. My wife gave me this book just before we left on vacation. I didn't know what to expect. Having just finished a book that was a thriller but very poorly written I wasn't expecting much. After reading the prologue, however, it was clear to me that this guy can write. It is always a pleasant surprise to discover authors that can actually write well because there is so much in the popular domain that is just plain bad. The book starts out with the story of Dave the Guesser and his encounter with Frank Merrick, a splendidly created character who stays true to himself throughout. I can't bring myself to call him a villain or an antagonist, even though he is a killer. The prologue is superbly written and I found myself wanting to read it to my wife. However, she was too busy so I had to savor it myself without sharing. I must say that I did enjoy the first half of the book more than the second half, as the second half got a little dark for me, but on the whole I can say that I am now a Charlie Parker fan and will be hunting out earlier books to learn of his exploits. Well done and well worth reading.

Has Bird lost his mojo?.......2007-08-04

I have read every single one of John Connolly's offerings and in the right order, so you could call me a fan. And THE UNQUIET was one of a very select number of novels new out in 2007 that I had to buy as soon as possible. It's very good, for sure, but I can't convince myself that I enjoyed it as much as one or two of Connolly's earlier works, my personal favourite remaining THE WHITE ROAD. I have to admit though that he seems to have addressed one of my most consistent complaints over the past few years, that being the excessive and often gratuitous levels of violence displayed by all characters past, be they on the right or wrong side of the law. In this latest episode in the life of Charlie `Bird' Parker, you will find yourself deep into the second half before so much as a bullet is fired, and I certainly welcomed this. This relatively mellow tone doesn't last forever of course, because normal service is eventually resumed even if the triggers of Parker and his associates Louis and Angel remain in place from start to finish. This might suggest that there are many lighter moments that give Louis an opportunity to display his super-cool wit, but this isn't the case, as there is little in the way of humour at any time and certainly less than in many of the preceding Parker tales.

By now you will know that the underlying theme of this tale is the sexual abuse of children, and somewhat inevitably Connolly, in his own style, makes it clear that in the pecking order of evil, paedophiles rank below (i.e. worse than) the likes of violent criminals, contract killers and characters who might represent the Devil himself. Few would disagree, I guess, but apart from that classification the reader gains little in the way of insight into what makes such monsters do what they do, indeed in the closing pages Parker raises numerous questions but neither he nor the writer offers much in the way of answers. Furthermore, as all the despicable acts have taken place in years past, the reader is not really caught up in what might otherwise have been the emotional trauma that, in reality, parents and children suffer while it is taking place. Although there were many emotionally troubling moments throughout this tale, they sometimes related more to the supernatural experiences that Parker continues to endure and to the introspective nature of his life and character that the reader gets a closer look at here than in novels past. The bottom line is that while it is at all times interesting it never really raises the heartbeat in quite the same way as Connolly's earlier works succeeded in doing. I couldn't really call it a thriller, at least not my own interpretation of what a real thriller is supposed to do. And curiously, Parker sympathises with his leading opposite number - a professional killer who has spent most of his life in jail and is now on the trail of those responsible for the abduction of his young daughter years earlier. This is a man with a ruthless ability to terminate life but only if, in his own somewhat twisted judgement, the victim is deserving of it.

All I can say about the end was that it was `quiet' and mostly devoid of violence; an anti-climax in a sense. That's not to say that it was an unsatisfying end, but for anyone familiar with the other five Parker escapades, it's safe to say that it's really rather different from any of them. The writer picked a subject that invited the greatest possible sense of hatred for the fictional villains, yet strangely elected to keep the paedophiles in the background while focusing more on those seeking retribution and in doing so possibly instilled a sense of respect for the avenger despite his uncompromisingly evil and murderous past. Personally I found THE TREATMENT by Mo Hayder tackled this issue of child abuse in a darker and more `thrilling' fashion, and succeeded in drawing the reader down to the lowest level of the lows as one should expect in tales of this kind.

Just faintly disappointing, then, but expectations were sky-high and it's possible that the author's recent excursions into non-Parker territory have taken the edge of his writing a little, even if the finished product is his most authentic and well-rounded to date. I liked it a lot, it's an intelligent piece of writing throughout but it didn't thrill me in the way I know Connolly can.

Average customer rating:

second reading = me being even more impressed than before
Bizzare
Mr. Connolly does it again
Truly scary!
There is Evil in the World

The Killing Kind
John Connolly
Manufacturer: Atria
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0743453344

Book Description

The body of Grace Peltier, a brilliant Ph.D. candidate, is found in the front seat of her car on a back road in northern Maine. No one wants to believe it was suicide -- not her father, not former U.S. senator Jack Mercier, and not private detective Charlie Parker, who has been hired to investigate the young woman's untimely death.

But when a mass grave is accidentally discovered nearby, revealing the grim truth behind the disappearance of a religious community known as the Aroostook Baptists, Parker realizes that their deaths and the violent passing of Grace Peltier are part of the same mystery, one that has its roots in her family history and in the origins of the shadowy organization known as the Fellowship. Soon Parker is drawn into the dark world of this zealous religious group that has already consumed every person who has dared confront it. When a relic is discovered, one capable of linking the Fellowship to the slaughter of the Aroostook Baptists, Parker is forced into violent conflict with the Fellowship and its enigmatic leader. Haunted by the ghost of a small boy and tormented by the demonic killer known as Mr. Pudd, Parker is forced to fight for his lover, his friends...and his very soul.

"This is a honeycomb world. It hides a hollow heart," writes John Connolly. In The Killing Kind, he has once again created a world of love and hate, of tenderness and violence. Hailed by critics as "one of the best of the genre" (Toronto Sun), his intense, poetic prose and his terrifying clan of characters are sure to thrill even the most discerning suspense reader.

Download Description

His two previous novels, Every Dead Thing and Dark Hollow, were international bestsellers. Now the "compulsively readable" (Publishers Weekly) John Connolly confirms his position as one of our leading crime novelists with a story of superb menace and style. The body of Grace Peltier, a brilliant Ph.D. candidate, is found in the front seat of her car on a back road in northern Maine. No one wants to believe it was suicide - not her father, not former U.S. senator Jack Mercier, and not private detective Charlie Parker, who has been hired to investigate the young woman's untimely death. But when a mass grave is accidentally discovered nearby, revealing the grim truth behind the disappearance of a religious community known as the Aroostook Baptists, Parker realizes that their deaths and the violent passing of Grace Peltier are part of the same mystery, one that has its roots in her family history and in the origins of the shadowy organization known as the Fellowship. Soon Parker is drawn into the dark world of this zealous religious group that has already consumed every person who has dared confront it. When a relic is discovered, one capable of linking the Fellowship to the slaughter of the Aroostook Baptists, Parker is forced into violent conflict with the Fellowship and its enigmatic leader. Haunted by the ghost of a small boy and tormented by the demonic killer known as Mr. Pudd, Parker is forced to fight for his lover, his friends...and his very soul. "This is a honeycomb world. It hides a hollow heart," writes John Connolly. In The Killing Kind, he has once again created a world of love and hate, of tenderness and violence. Hailed by critics as "one of the best of the genre" (Toronto Sun), his intense, poetic prose and his terrifying clan of characters are sure to thrill even the most discerning suspense reader. "

Customer Reviews:

second reading = me being even more impressed than before.......2007-06-11

This is the third book in Connolly's Charlie "Bird" Parker series, and it's a great read. So great, in fact, that I literally ran all over town on a stiflingly hot and humid day, trying to find another copy of it (I had given my first copy away a few years ago) so that I could immediately start it after finishing Dark Hollow.

I disagree completely with the reviewers who say it's not as good as the first two. I think it's just as good, and even better in some parts.

It picks up after the events of the second novel in the series, starting the action approximately 2 years after the murder of Parker's first wife and child. In this one, Parker is (as usual) trying to solve multiple mysteries at once. He is trying to find out what happened to Grace Peltier, a young woman who was researching a religious group that mysteriously disappeared into thin air decades earlier. He takes this job on in spite of the fact that his life has finally begun to take on some of the trappings of normalcy. He has been working cases that don't demand he find true justice for victims of violent crime, and as a result, he's pretty stable, very much removed (at least it seems so) from all the horror and blood he previously found himself mired in. He may not like some of the jobs he takes on (he feels a bit slimed by what he's asked to do, but none of it is life-threatening or illegal, and none of it involves finding justice for dead people), but he is relatively clear of horrible dreams and ghostly visitations, and he is trying to start his life over without the haunting memories of his dead wife and child foremost in his mind. Normalcy. He seems to want that more than anything.

Normalcy, at least the kind you and I might experience, is not in the cards for Parker, however. He might resist taking on the cases that bring out who he really is, but ultimately he can not refuse them.

Here, as he tries to build a relationship with Rachel Wolf AND do the job his soul craves for him, he finds himself dealing with Mr. Pudd, whose fascination with spiders is creepy at best and downright horrifying at worst. The violence in this one is particularly difficult to stomach, and at many points throughout the novel, I found myself feeling a tiny bit of the revulsion, soul-sickness, and almost-paralyzing fear that Parker was feeling in the course of his investigation.

As always, Louis and Angel are there to both cover him and provide comic relief at moments of great tension. But this time, for the first time that I can recall, part of the horror involves them directly, and Parker must not only solve the mysteries he finds but also try to save the life of one of these friends. This novel also sets up the tension that drives much of the fourth novel, The White Road, in the series when Parker, confronted with possible damage to his own spirit and sense of morality, makes a decision that creates distance between himself and the people he most trusts to help him stay alive.

While this book is funny throughout (with Parker's wit and the influence of his two "sidekicks" making even the toughest moments opportunities for humor), it is also bleak and almost unrelentingly dark.

All in all, this book is worth more than one read. I know that I like it even more the second time around.

Bizzare.......2006-07-06

I found The Killing Kind an interesting read.I was intriqued, at first,to see where the author was going, but towards the end was looking forward to the book ending.

Mr. Connolly does it again.......2006-03-29

I am slowly making my way through John Connolly's books for the simple reason that I don't want to "run out" before he writes/publishes a new one. So yes I am a fan. This is the third installment in the Charlie Parker series, a retired NYC cop who is now a PI - with a dark history. (Although not necessary I would suggest reading this series in chronological order - recurring characters, references to the past, etc.) Charlie is coaxed out of his self-imposed mundane grind to investigate the suspicious suicide of a graduate student and before you can say Raymond Chandler, Parker finds himself embroiled in the 40 year old mysterious disappearance of a cult-like religious group, Maine politics, a current day quasi-religious group which appears to be somewhat shady and a string of what may be sanctioned killings around the country. He is also being hounded by a pair of psychopaths who get under your skin like fingernails on a chalkboard. And oh yeah - Charlie sees dead people. A quick note on Mr. Connolly's style/prose - the above may sound confused, convoluted, dark, dreary, gruesome and depressing - and trust me this book will give you a few shivers, especially if you don't like bugs and spiders in particular - the good news is that this author has the knack/talent to balance/combine all this with believable characters, focus, great dialogue, and wit. This is an excellent novel which happens to be a "thriller".

Truly scary!.......2006-02-28

It takes a lot to scare me, but this book kept me up at night. I know that sounds cliche, but it's true. I think Mr. Pudd was the most disturbing villian I've read in years. If spiders creep you out, be prepared to have nightmares after reading this one! Great book for horror, thriller, or crime fans. Not for the weak of heart.

There is Evil in the World.......2006-01-10

In the book The Killing Kind, John Connolly does a fantastic job of keeping readers on edge while showing there are things in the world that are not so good. When Grace Peltier found dead, investigator Charlie Parker is hired to find the real cause. While doing his job, he discovers things about an organization called the Fellowship that Grace found out and that the organization does not want to reach the world. The organization's killer, Mr. Pudd, is sent to stop Parker before he can uncover the whole truth about the group. Connolly uses many things to build excitement about the plot. It seems that at every turn Parker is finding bodies of people killed by Pudd. It is a race to the finish line at the end, where Parker meets Pudd for the final time, and he learns what real evil looks like.

Average customer rating:

Excellent for all instrumentalists
Seriously now, it's Bird
The Bible for Horn Players
Could use some improvements
Charlie Parker Omnibook- recorded solos for Eb

Charlie Parker Omni Book C

Manufacturer: Alfred Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Plastic Comb

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ASIN: 0769260535

Product Description

Trascribed from his recorded solos, transposed to concert key. For C instruments (Treble Clef). Titles include: AH-LEU-CHA; Another Hairdo; Back Home Blues; Barbados; Blue Bird; Chasing The Bird; Chi Chi; Confirmation; Diverse; Donna Lee; Ko Ko; Leap Frog; My Little Sued Shoes; Ornithology; Passport; Perhaps; Red Cross; Shawnuff; Si Si; Yardbird Suite and more.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent for all instrumentalists.......2007-07-03

Whether you are a saxophonist trying to follow bird' s steps or a pianist wnting to improve your reading and improvisational skills, this book is a true jewel.

Seriously now, it's Bird.......2007-03-09

If you want to play great bebop lines, you immitate the master. If there is a better way to immitate the master than working this book on the metronome, I haven't encountered it yet. This book has become the standard for Bird transcriptions. If you're serious about playing bop, you won't be disappointed by this book.

The Bible for Horn Players.......2006-03-25

Man, if Bird was god, then this is sure is the bible. If you got a horn, this is all you need, the only way to learn fully is to play Birds solos. Buy it and you'll never put your horn down.

Could use some improvements.......2003-10-29

There's no denying this book is considered a classic, but it could use a few revisions. It appears not to have changed at all since its original appearance in 1976, including an annoying amount of tacky and out-of-date advertisements. In one instance, a half-page ad on the second page of "K.C. Blues" replaces what should have been Parker's second solo on that tune! Many of the songs are transcribed without key signatures - adding key signatures would make transposing tunes and riffs significantly easier. There are some rhythm errors in a few of the tunes ("K.C. Blues" has one measure with only three counts, "Ballade" also has a few rhythm mistakes and is nearly impossible to read the way it's written, with its overabundance of 32nd and 64th note runs). I'm not questioning the talent of Parker - some of the other "Omnibook" reviews here are based on Parker's playing abilities rather than the way his compositions are represented in these transcriptions. The simple addition of key signatures would be a huge improvement. For less experienced students, it'd also be nice to see a synopsis of the tune beneath the title describing the song's form or the origin of the chord changes. Simple things like that could make this book even more indispensable than it has become.
Do we all have to buy this book? Despite its shortcomings, I'm afraid the answer is "yes". Surely, there's some ambitious grad student out there somewhere willing to enter the entire book into Finale or Sibelius so we can at least get key signatures and those few rhythm corrections. Please?

Charlie Parker Omnibook- recorded solos for Eb.......2002-08-16

Although I didnt but this item online, it is still the best book I have ever looked at. It helps me with sightreading, and its just the best. If you're into Charlie Parker, then you can't miss this book. One of my favorites is Shawnuff... again, its the best book I've ever read through- its even better when you have a trumpet player to play with.

The Black Angel: A Thriller (Charlie Parker Mysteries)

Average customer rating:

Are All Fallen Angels Damned?
In Need of an Editor
Connolly at his Best
silly!
Worst novel I've ever read

The Black Angel: A Thriller (Charlie Parker Mysteries)
John Connolly
Manufacturer: Pocket Star
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0743487877

Book Description

When a young woman disappears from the streets of New York City, ties of friendship and blood inevitably draw ingenious, tortured detective Charlie Parker into the search. Soon he discovers links to a church of bones in Eastern Europe, a 1944 slaughter at a French monastery, and to the myth of an object known as the Black Angel -- considered by evil men to be beyond priceless. But the Black Angel is not a legend. It is real. It lives. It dreams. And the mystery of its existence may contain the secret of Parker's own origins.

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" To those who have been forsaken, hell has no geography. The Black Angel begins with the disappearance of a young prostitute from one of New York City's seamiest neighborhoods. Like so many tormented souls before her, the girl's mother is inevitably drawn to Charlie Parker's doorstep desperate for redemption and revenge. Despite the danger that his chosen profession imposes on his wife and newborn daughter, Parker knows that the woman and her troubles cannot be ignored. As always, he is driven as much by the evil that simmers in the hidden honeycomb world as he is by the ties of friendship and blood. As Parker gets closer to the girl's captors, he discovers that her disappearance is linked to a church of bones in Eastern Europe, to the slaughter at a French monastery in 1944, and to the myth of an object known as the Black Angel -- an object considered by evil men to be beyond priceless. But the Black Angel is not a legend. It is real. It lives. It dreams. And the mystery of its existence may contain the secret of Parker's own origins. "

Customer Reviews:

Are All Fallen Angels Damned?.......2007-10-03

I thoroughly enjoyed BLACK ANGEL, John Connolly's fifth novel featuring the brooding private investigator Charlie Parker (EVERY DEAD THING, DARK HOLLOW, The KILLING KIND, The WHITE ROAD being the previous four).

BLACK ANGEL begins with Parker helping his friend--and sometime enforcer--Louis to find his missing cousin Alice, a drug addict and prostitute who worked the Bronx's notorious Hunt's Point. Parker and Louis' search for Alice amongst the junkies, hookers and pimps, leads them eventually to the more sophisticated and much more perverse occult circles of secret societies and demon worshippers. A world where Charlie Parker will learn much about himself and what compels him.

For BLACK ANGEL Connolly takes inspiration from a wide variety of religious and occult lore, further blending the genres of detective novel and supernatural thriller, which provides a fresh and enticing spin on familiar themes. Connolly's recently published The UNQUIET continues the Charlie Parker saga.

In Need of an Editor.......2006-10-08

I have read everything Connolly has writen and on the whole it has been very good, particularly the early stuff. This one, however, is sadly in need of a good editor who could have cut it down from around 600 pages to three.
Everything is described in great detail, over two pages devoted to telling us how a minor character became a pimp, (as if we cared), pages of historical data printed in italics, and endless psychobabble of Parker's emotional problems with himself, his family and the world at large.
The writing is good when it sticks to the action, but one part hard boiled detective (where it should have stayed),one part supernatural hokum, one part history and one part romance, equals a total mess.

Connolly at his Best.......2006-08-05

I've been a Fan of Colly's of Charlie Parker detective since EVERY DEAD THING, which showcased Parker's tragic burnout. You FEEL for this poor SOB. He's really been through it all, and the rage he must have inside is nicely filtered out by the author. Never too much at once...always the feeling that this guy is going to lose it one day. Or maybe eat his gun.

All that said, THE BLACK ANGEL is a breathtaking novel. It elevates Connolly's writing to the status of literature of that rare and special kind The Black Angel takes your breath away by the writing and by the premise that Parker is a member of a terribly select chosen few --guys like James Lee Burke and Peter Straub. Writers who can build a straight mystery around the seemingly unnatural.

silly!.......2006-06-16

I've read some silly books in my time, but this one takes the biscuit! It starts off as if it's going to be a "normal" thriller -- which is what lured me into buying it... -- but rapidly descends into the supernatural. I would give away the ending if I could, but it got so ridiculous I couldn't get more than halfway through it...

Worst novel I've ever read.......2006-06-15

I read up to the middle of the book and the story was going nowhere. I simply gave up...

There are much better novels to spend your time with.

Parker Gun Identification & Serialization

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Parker Gun Identification & Serialization
Charles E. Price
Manufacturer: Blue Book Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1886768374

Book Description

This publication is the only book that provides an easy reference for Parker shotguns manufactured between 1866-1942. Included is a 46-page section on Parker identification, with over 100 detailed images depicting serialization location and explanation, various Parker grades, extra features, stock configurations, action types, and barrel identification.

Customer Reviews:

Ross Russell was there .......2005-07-28

I've read hundreds of jazz histories, and Ross Russell's original classic, "Bird Lives!", remains among my favorite. I read it again this week, in fact. Are there more thorough Parker biographies? Well, sure. But Ross Russell was there. He created Dial Records for the purposes of recording Parker. Also, Russell (a pulp writer in his young years) always had literary aspirations, and his writing has that fun, hard-boiled style of the 1930s. Ross was a product of his literary times. I hope this book never goes out of print.

Granted, I'm biased. In the early 1990s, when Ross was in his 90s and living alone in a trailer in the California desert, he and I corresponded frequently. I was writing a chapter on Dial Records for a book, and Ross was so encouraging and helpful. He had an amazing life to ups and downs. Ross was a very funny guy, and that humor runs throughout "Bird Lives!" With Bird, you either laughed or cried. Ross did a fair amount of both.

Read "Bird Lives!" with an open mind, and ignore the bandwagon of critics who attack it. There's no substitute for fascinating first-person accounts, and Ross' personal experiences with the saxophone madman leave every jazz historian green with envy.

Good, but pretentious.......2004-12-11

Ross Russell produced many Bird's historical sessions and witnessed him collapsing in California. So, he's the right man to write about Charlie Parker. On the other hand, his literary pretentions almost spoil his efforts. Buy Rob Reisner's "Bird" instead of this book.

A classic biography.......2004-07-17

For me, this book is one of those experiences that are about as good as it gets with your clothes on. Not only do we get to discover the genius of Parker, but we're taken on the journey with a brilliant writer. Here, Bird does indeed live. Russell vividly captures the essence of the man, the music and the times, and this book is as much a tribute to his superb literary talent as it is to Parker's prodigous musical gifts. A rare combination. If you haven't yet read it, I envy you. They don't get any better than this.

Brings "Bird" soaring to life!.......2004-04-04

Charlie Parker was one of the most influential and important musicians of the 20th century. His musical creations and innovations shaped the face of jazz in many profound ways. In his hands the alto saxophone transcended being a mere instrument and became a means of spreading love and hope. In this classic biography we see all sides and facets of this complex and truly brilliant man. He was; a practical joker, womanizer, alcoholic, heroin addict, charming con man and over-eater extraordinaire. A legend is brought marvelously to life here, unlike in Clint Eastwood's well-intentioned but depressingly one-sided movie "Bird."

Forget the movie..........2003-04-15

Ross Russell was the president of Dial records when Parker was in California. He recorded several sides while there, but Mr Russell, an obvious fan of Parker, makes a huge effort to desribe Parker's whole spectacular and at the same time tragic life and career. When I read this book, I literally could not put it down.
Parker was a great clown and entertainer, something which Clint Eastwood's disappointing movie "Bird" never portrayed, instead sticking to the sad and seedy sections of the great Parker's life. I read this book years before the film came out, and I was shocked because I knew Eastwood to be a big jazz fan.
Anyhow, every major event in Parker's short life is chronicled, giving an excellent narrative of an extraordinary career.
Miled Davis in his autobiography said that Bird was a con, a cheat, and that Ross Russell exploited him. Nonetheless, this book presents many facets to describe Parker's life, in vivid detail. I'd call this essential for any true jazz fan to understand the man, his music, and the truly monumental and unsurpassed contribution Parker made to all music. Also revealed are all the main players of the time and their relation to the music and the man.
Also, there are three books I recommend (in this order) to anyone who really wants the inside scoop on the jazz life: Bird Lives, Miles Davis' in-your-face-autobiography, and Albert Goldman's biography of Lenny Bruce. All three books can be read as companion pieces and give a realistic portrait of 3 of the most influential people of the 20th century and the world that created them. At the same time all three books provide an excellent reality check to anyone contemplating a heroin habit!

Charlie Parker Omnibook: Transposed for B Flat Instruments

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Sax players should buy the Eb edition!
Great book!

Charlie Parker Omnibook: Transposed for B Flat Instruments

Manufacturer: Alfred Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Plastic Comb

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ASIN: 0769260527

Product Description

Transcribed by Jamey Aebersold and Ken Slone, this book features 60 solos such as Moose the Mooch, Ornithology and Anthropology, and other jazz classics. 148 pages, spiral bound.

Customer Reviews:

Sax players should buy the Eb edition!.......2007-05-05

This book has long been known as the bible of bebop. However, I STRONGLY recommend that saxophone players buy the Eb edition. This Bb edition, transposed for obvious reasons, does not work well for tenor sax. It goes beyond the instrument's range, and it's just plain awkward to play. Unless you are a trumpet player or you are using this book in a group setting, DON'T buy this edition. Get this one: Charlie Parker Omnibook for E Flat Instruments : Recorded Solos

Great book!.......2007-01-09

Very accurate transcriptions--a great way to practice & play along with these great jazz tunes.

Average customer rating:

FANTASTIC!
Delightful for the wee ones

Charlie Chick (Pop-Up Book)
Nick Denchfield
Manufacturer: Red Wagon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0152060138

Book Description

Charlie eats lots of barley and wheat and corn. He has BIG feet, a BIG mouth, and a BIG belly. In fact, there's only one thing bigger than Charlie Chick. . . . Join the fun in this great big book featuring enormous pop-ups on every spread, a sound chip, and a HUGE surprise at the end.

Customer Reviews:

FANTASTIC!.......2007-08-11

I just found this book at the book store and absolutely love it. I do storytimes for toddlers and preschoolers and this will be so much fun to read!!

Delightful for the wee ones.......2007-03-15

Charlie Chick eats lots of barley and corn, which causes him to have a big belly and feet. Starting with the sound chip on the cover, through oversized pop-ups and a surprise ending, this book is fun--huge oversized fun.

This delightful 14-page book is sure to be a favorite with the little ones.

Armchair Interviews agrees.

Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (Da Capo Paperback)

Average customer rating:

"'Bird' by others"
Outstanding!
Bird; The Ledgend Of Charlie Parker is a must read.
this book was great

Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (Da Capo Paperback)

Manufacturer: Da Capo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0306800691

Customer Reviews:

"'Bird' by others".......2007-01-13

This is the only book that I have read about Parker. So I can't compare it to other works. BUT it is a very enjoyable read. As the cover states there are extensive interviews with people who knew him best, including various ex-wives. Various incidents that are in the movie are described here, so I assume Eastwood, or whoever wrote the script, probably consulted this book. But, what is interesting is that the Book states that Chan and 'Bird' were never legally married. Don't think that fact was in the Movie.

Outstanding!.......2004-12-11

This book is less acclaimed than Ross Russell's book, but is far better than the latter. Reisner knew Bird well and he interviewed most of his associates. It's Bird in the words of those who knew him. A great piece of work!

Bird; The Ledgend Of Charlie Parker is a must read........1998-10-07

This book shows the life of Parker through the eyes of many of his collegues, friends, and family. Robert Riesner should be commmended for his work on this material because it's informitive and gives views of Parker through people that were in his life. This book is a must read for all "true" Bird fans.

this book was great.......1997-07-30

this book was about an epic struggle of a jazz musician in a New York city life.Im 16 and i play a lot of jazz and parker was a geat influence on me and my playin i worship him as a mucican and a jazz ico

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