Sonny Stitt It's Magic CD

Sonny Stitt was well-known for the ability to play saxophone fast, with authority over the most difficult of chord progressions. Sonny recorded his first session as leader in 1946 for Savoy with Kenny Dorham, Bud Powell and Kenny Clarke. In 1950, he made

Personnel: Sonny Stitt (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Sonny Stitt; Don Patterson (Hammond b-3 organ); Billy James , Bill Pierce (drums).
Recording information: P.S. Studio (1969).
Photographer: Jack Bradley.
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