Don't Blame Me, recorded November 4, 1947, is a ballad performance by the Charlie Parker Quintet on the Jimmy McHugh standard in the key of C at approximately 65-66 BPM with a 32-bar AABA form. Parker's one-chorus alto saxophone solo explores the tune's lush harmonic landscape with characteristic invention and beauty, constructing long, arching lines that unfold with an almost vocal quality. Miles Davis contributes a brief quarter-chorus on trumpet, adding a final statement before the close. This is one of three ballad performances from the November 1947 Dial sessions, and together they constitute one of the finest collections of ballad playing in Parker's recorded output. The slow tempo places every note under scrutiny, and Parker's ability to maintain melodic interest and harmonic sophistication throughout a full chorus at this pace is a testament to his artistry. Don't Blame Me is a less frequently discussed performance from these sessions, overshadowed by the more celebrated Embraceable You and My Old Flame, but it is equally deserving of attention for the quality of Parker's improvisation.
