The sound really is quite bad, but the sound of the alto sax and trumpet are reasonable good. The rhythm section is not easily appreciated, but not because they are simply "inexperienced Swedes". The Swedish have a history of listening to and playing bebop. They also have a reasonably good history of swing band playing too.

Anyway, the sax playing is really very good as is the trumpet playing.

I say that this is for collectors only because only a dedicated fan of Charlie Parker would weigh through the live sound of the era. I find listening to live performances of Parker to really be great because the band can stretch out and improvise without the limitations of three minute timing which reflect the limitations of 78 rpm recordings.

Never thought I would ever give the late great Charlie Parker a one star review, but I searched every possibility to avoid doing so, and could come up with none. Although the music itself is a recording of a live session, and is wide open before an enthusiastic crowd -- and indeed is inspiring in spots, the 50s style recording techniques, even re-mastered is an abomination that could not be overcome to salvage the session. One has to be a very, very "committed" Parker lover and fan to see through all the fog to the music, which in any case is a rehash done much better in every other place. Add to this inexperienced Swedish union card sidemen who sat in on the session, and this is a textbook case of how not to record a live Jazz session.

Unless you just want to round out your Parker collection, save your money. This is at most, a one star production.