Sonny Stitt

For The First Time Ever On CD!!

SONNY STITT (as, ts)
DON PATTERSON (org)
BILLY PIERCE (d)

Chicago, 1969.

Tracks:
1. Four, 2. On Green Dolphin Street, 3. Parker’s Mood, 4. How High The Moon, 5. Shake Your Head, 6. It’s Magic, 7. I’m Getting Sentimental Over You, 8. Just Friends, 9. Body And Soul, 10. They Can’t Take That Away From Me

This previously unissued set by the great bebop saxophonist Sonny Stitt does not contain any real surprises. Stitt, who at the time was using a Varitone octave device on his horns (it is fortunately barely noticeable here), performs with his regular band of the period, a trio with organist Don Patterson and drummer Billy James (who unaccountably is listed on the CD as "Billy Pierce"). With the exception of the medium-tempo blues "Shake Your Head," Stitt has recorded all of these standards numerous times elsewhere. Although his playing on both alto and tenor is quite professional and reasonably creative within the boundaries of his boppish music, Stitt sometimes sounds as if he is just going through the motions. The generic liner notes and LP-length playing time are also slight minuses to this swinging but predictable release. ~ Scott Yanow