Alternate Takes is a glimpse inside the heart and mind of one of the most inventive saxophonists of all time. His original Strings LP, containing brilliant and unexpected interpretations of standards and first issued on Mercury in 1950, was a landmark in the cross-section of jazz and pop - and remains Charlie "Bird" Parker' s best-selling recording. Now, for the first time on vinyl, are the rarest Birds: alternate takes from the sessions, issued during the 70th anniversary year of the initial recordings. Discovered deep in the Verve vault and previously released on CD only as part of a ' Deluxe Edition' set, they provide a glorious new chapter in the glorious history of the one and only Charlie Parker. And the vinyl, a bright blue matching the "new look" cover featuring the original album' s David Stone Martin illustration, is exclusive to Record Store Day customers.