Sonny Stitt

2 LPs ON 1 CD

This release presents Sonny Stitt’s complete original 1962 album Rearin’ Back (Argo LPS-709), one of only two collaborations between the saxophonist and pianist Ronnie Mathews. As a bonus, another complete album that was recorded in 1960 album by Stitt dedicated exclusively to the songbook of Duke Ellington, appearing here on CD for the first time ever. He is showcase again in a quartet format, backed this time by Lou Levy, Paul Chambers (in his only session with Stitt outside of their September-October 1960 tour with the Miles Davis Quintet), and Stan Levey. The bboklet includes updated and original liner notes and the complete 1962 Down Beat review of Rearin’ Back.

PERSONNEL:

[1-7] Rearin’ Back:

SONNY STITT (alto sax)
RONNIE MATHEWS (piano)
ARTHUR HARPER (bass)
LEX HUMPHRIES (drums)

Ter Mar Recording Studios, Chicago, September 24, 1962.
Original session produced by Esmond Edwards.

[8-16] Bonus Album: Tribute to Duke Ellington

SONNY STITT (alto sax,  tenor sax on tracks 10, 11 & 13 only)
LOU LEVY (piano)
PAUL CHAMBERS (bass)
STAN LEVEY (drums)

Radio Recorders, Los Angeles, June 20, 1960.
Original session produced by Russell Garcia.

Note: “Wee”, from Rearin’ Back, appeared on the original LP as “We”. It was mistaken for the completely unrelated song
“We (My Honey and Me)”, by Harry Woods, Charles Tobias and Al Sherman.

TRACKS:

01. Rearin’ Back
02. Wee (Aka Allen’s Alley)
03. Little Girl Blue
04. Cut Plug
05. Queen
06. Carpsie’s Groove
07. Bunny R.
08. Don’t Get Around Much Anymore*
09. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart*
10. Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me*
11. C Jam Blues*
12. Solitude*
13. It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) *
14. I’m Beginning To See The Light*
15. Perdido*
16. Sophisticated Lady*

TOTAL TIME: 79:14