The lyric is full of musical meaning, some already cited.
We agree it's about Charly Parker ("Bird"), and that he recorded several "sides" on the Savoy label. Parker's nickname, "Bird", was due to his high-flying rapid soloin ability.
"Relaxin' at Camarillo" is a Parker composition, perhaps inspired by his six month recuperation at the Camarillo asylum due to heroin addiction (hence the brilliant metaphor, "smacked into a trance").
"bird in flight"... obvious reference to Bird.
"Bring your horn along and you can add to the pure confection;
And if you can't fly you'll have to move in with the rhythm section."
That's an invitation to sit in with the band. However, if your solo chops "can't fly" like Bird, then you'll just have to play with the rhythm section.
"Either way you're bound to function; Fifty-Second Street's the junction."
"Bird on 52nd St." was a 1957 Parker album, and "52nd St Theme" is the title track.
I am fortunate to live in Nashville, TN., home of a great SD tribute band, "12 Against Nature."
I'm not rokhead, but I'm not aware of any Parker connection with armadillos, and I'm guessing that they loved their line about Camarillo and couldn't find anything else to rhyme with it!
I'm not rokhead, but I'm not aware of any Parker connection with armadillos, and I'm guessing that they loved their line about Camarillo and couldn't find anything else to rhyme with it!
The lyric is full of musical meaning, some already cited.
We agree it's about Charly Parker ("Bird"), and that he recorded several "sides" on the Savoy label. Parker's nickname, "Bird", was due to his high-flying rapid soloin ability.
"Relaxin' at Camarillo" is a Parker composition, perhaps inspired by his six month recuperation at the Camarillo asylum due to heroin addiction (hence the brilliant metaphor, "smacked into a trance").
"bird in flight"... obvious reference to Bird.
"Bring your horn along and you can add to the pure confection; And if you can't fly you'll have to move in with the rhythm section."
That's an invitation to sit in with the band. However, if your solo chops "can't fly" like Bird, then you'll just have to play with the rhythm section.
"Either way you're bound to function; Fifty-Second Street's the junction."
"Bird on 52nd St." was a 1957 Parker album, and "52nd St Theme" is the title track.
I am fortunate to live in Nashville, TN., home of a great SD tribute band, "12 Against Nature."
@rokhead Any idea what “riding by bareback on your armadillo” refers to??
@rokhead Any idea what “riding by bareback on your armadillo” refers to??
I'm not rokhead, but I'm not aware of any Parker connection with armadillos, and I'm guessing that they loved their line about Camarillo and couldn't find anything else to rhyme with it!
I'm not rokhead, but I'm not aware of any Parker connection with armadillos, and I'm guessing that they loved their line about Camarillo and couldn't find anything else to rhyme with it!