Search - Sonny Stitt :: Goin Down Slow

Prime Stitt circa 1972

J. Levinson | Media, PA USA | 06/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This collection of tracks combines a couple of sessions recorded in the early 70's. Although not for the hard-bop purist, Stitt's playing is equal to his most creative throughout, placing this among the most worthwhile entries in his lengthy discography.The first 5 tracks have a contemporary rhythmic feel circa 1972, with electric piano, bass and guitar, while the last 6 are traditional acoustic hard-bop. Randy Newman's "Living Without You" has a particularly soulful funk groove. Strings are used on a couple of tunes effectively, often creating an interesting dissonant counterpoint to the primary soloists. The first track, a 14-minute mid-tempo jam, starts out with a slick electric piano solo (probably Hampton Hawes), followed by an electric guitar solo (probably Billy Butler), then Thad Jones muted trumpet, with Sonny not making his presence known until almost 10-minutes into the tune. On first listen, I almost ejected the CD to verify it really was a Sonny Stitt album I was listening to. Sonny Stitt - Arranger, Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor)
Thad Jones - Trumpet, Arranger
Hampton Hawes - Piano
Billy Butler - Guitar
Wally Richardson - Guitar
Reggie Johnson - Bass
Buddy Caldwell - Conga, Bells
Idris Muhammad - Drums

Billy VerPlanck - Conductor, String Arrangements
Max Ellen - Violin
David Nadien - Violin
Julius Brand - Violin
Herbert Baumel - Violin Hank Jones - Piano
George Duvivier - Bass
Lenny McBrowne - Drums"

Flawed but indispensable

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 06/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is hardly a perfect recording by the world's most perfect saxophonist. He doesn't come in until minute 9 of the first tune (I was all but convinced I"d been sent the wrong CD), and a couple of the selections are clearly innocuous, paper-thin period pieces that have no business making it to a new milennium. On the other hand, there are 80 minutes of music on this compilation of two "commercial" Stitt sessions from 1972, and Sonny is soaring and splendid on each of his many opportunities. One of the rhythm sections is led by Hank Jones (with brother Thad on board) and the other by Hampton Hawes. The engineering is the "classic" Van Gelder sound throughout.The second session, issued originally under the title "So Doggone Good," features only Stitt and a three-member rhythm section. On "Speculation" Sonny reminds us of why he was so frequently compared to Bird, but what really spun my head around on this track was the percussion work of Lenny McBrowne. The tempo is way, way up and McBrowne somehow compells his left foot to play the trap cymbal on every beat! An added bonus is the thorough and truly informative set of liner notes supplied by Michael Rozek. He interviews Hank Jones as well as Eric Alexander, whose thoughts about Sonny as the most complete player and the master teacher reinforce everything I've said about him in other Amazon reviews. Rozek even supplies several websites for those who might wish additional information about this extraordinary musician.For anyone unfamiliar with Sonny Stitt, this CD is indispensable. The same is true for Stitt collectors. For those who complain about Sonny always being too fluent, too predictable, too perfect, this album won't change any minds."

Ditto that review, Jerrylev, just one more time

Under the Influence | Illinois | 12/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Violin and string accompaniement was unexpectedly uplifting on the first track #1, and the words "feel good music" were suddenly pressing upon me.Review by Jerrylev pretty much has it down. The CD is a combination of two albums recorded at different time periods. The first half contemporary 70's and the second, traditional bop/blues rythyms.If you enjoy this album - check out "Jazz for a Lazy Day." Sonny Stitt appears on this album, which also has the 70's circa rythym to it."