When Charlie Parker persuaded Norman Granz to let him record an album with strings there were some, Granz included, who thought it was not one of the greatest ideas they had ever heard. When the album was released there were some who cried "sacrilege" and "sell-out." However the truth is this is a masterpiece. This is lush jazz, it"s romantic and it is truly wonderful. Bird stays close to the nest but imbues every track with something very special.