2 LPs on 1 CD 24 BIT DIGITALLY REMASTERED STEREO R ecorded in 1962, Rearin Back was one of the most acclaimed albums Sonny Stitt made during his most prolific recording years 1959-1963. In addition to contributing some fine improvising on alto sax, Stitt composed five of the seven tunes here. Rearin Back is a calypso-flavored piece, Cut Plug and Carpsie s Groove are blues, the latter making use of a march rhythm, while Queen and Bunny R. are attractive, medium-tempoed compositions. On We, written by drummer Denzil Best in the 40s, Stitt solos brilliantly, conceiving and executing extremely complex passages so easily that some have come to take his work for granted, while his more contemplative side is reflected on Little Girl Blue. And, throughout the date, pianist Ronnie Mathews shows impeccable judgment and taste. Tribute to Ellington finds Stitt, on alto and tenor saxophones, with a superb Lou Levy-Paul Chambers-Stan Levey driving rhythm section. This happily swinging session took place in Los Angeles in 1960, and has been included here on CD for the first time. The tunes are all Duke Ellington classics, and resulted in an album of vigor and more than passing interest, with Sonny Stitt playing with airy swinging assurance, enveloped in a warm, piercing tone, and invested with the burnished sheen and accessibility of a master saxophonist.
D**E
A Gem In Sonny Stitt's Vast Discography
It's hard to know where to begin with Sonny Stitt - seems like he made 100 albums, many undistinguishable from each other. You know what to expect: standards and blues played by an undisputed master, often in a basic quartet setting. Good, but they seem to run together. But this collection of 2 albums is a stand out. The first is very strong - a tight group seems to inspire Stitt, and this has to rank as one of his best - can't believe I missed it all these years. The second, originally released on Verve many years after it was recorded, is only a notch below. It's an album of Ellington songs, and the concept seems to reign Stitt in - in a good way. (It seems like a producer's concept, and it forces Stitt to go beyond the format of his usual causal blowing dates.) So, 2 strong groups backing an inspired Stitt. Didn't think I needed another Sonny Stitt album, but this has been a pleasant surprise and I would give it a strong recommendation to someone who has yet to discover this true giant, and, of course, to those who already know him but maybe take him for granted - this will remind you what a wonderful player he was
G**N
Solid Sonny!
These two dates are solid Sonny Stitt recordings. Rearin' Back is a fairly obscure session for Argo (Chess) done in 1962 and finds Stitt playing alto exclusively. The Ellington date was done a few years earlier in 1960 for Verve but not released until many years later and features Sonny on both alto and tenor playing tunes associated with Duke Ellington. All in all some fine and occasionally inspired Stitt. Remember that Stitt never ever played under a certain level even when he was coasting a little. All good stuff here with two different backup bands. Worthwhile.
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