Customer Reviews

Stitt Plays Bird

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

With the domestic version of "Stitt Plays Bird" currently out-of-print, it is nice to see that an import version is available. Along with "Sonny Side Up," "Salt and Pepper" and "With The Oscar Peterson Trio," this is Sonny Stitt's finest recording. "Plays Bird" finds Stitt playing with the stellar band of Jim Hall on guitar, John Lewis on piano, Richard Davis on bass, and Connie Kay on drums. While all these musicians are in top form, it is Hall's interplay with Stitt that truly distinguishes this CD. The album's best Parker renditions are "Confirmation," "Scrapple From The Apple" and "Ornithology." Additonally, the disc features two bonus selections, "Now's The Time" and "Yardbird Suite," not included on the original record. One last thing, when you buy this make sure you don't mistake it with "Coltrane's Sound" as they have remarkably similar cover paintings by artist Marvin Israel.

Since the other review of "Stitt Plays Bird" provides no pertinent information as to the contents of this fine album, I thought I would be of assistance. This album, along with "Sonny Side Up," "Salt and Pepper" and the recently deleted "With The Oscar Peterson Trio," are Sonny Stitt's finest recordings. "Plays Bird" finds Stitt playing with the stellar band of Jim Hall on guitar, John Lewis on piano, Richard Davis on bass, and Connie Kay on drums. While all these musicians are in top form, it is Hall's interplay with Stitt that truly distinguishes this CD. The album's best Parker renditions are "Confirmation," "Scrapple From The Apple" and "Ornithology." Additonally, the disc features two bonus selections, "Now's The Time" and "Yardbird Suite," not included on the original record. One last thing, when you go buy this make sure you don't mistake it with "Coltrane's Sound" as they have remarkably similar cover paintings by artist Marvin Israel.

Frankly, for an artist who was considered derivative of Bird, this was a bold statement. Sonny's work on "Stitt Plays Bird" is every bit as virtuosic as Charlie Parker himself. The playing on Constellation (my favorite track) is outrageously fast and inventive--so fast and furious that there are times when the tone splits and goes off into oblivion, but the listener doesn't care because Sonny has already started a new line. This may be the most energizing CD of all time. Every chart on this album, including the previously unreleased charts, are strong. So strong in fact, that it caused me to lament the fact that I did not take Stitt seriously enough when he was alive. He was every bit as talented as Adderly or Parker. This album should be one of a treasury of Sonny Stitt CDs in your library.

An all around great session from 1963. This is a straight-ahead no nonsense date and one his best alto recordings - he has many. He was truly one the great saxophonist in modern jazz history. No pick-up band for Sonny on this one. Alto-Tenor, take your pick, he excelled at both.

You have a stellar rhythm section with great tunes plus prime JIM HALL. What more do you need? Highly recommended.

This album best addresses the Stitt/Bird controversy. Except for some very early recordings, Stitt's style is very different and distinct from Parker's. This good rhythm section is very conservative and not what Stitt is usually associated with. Nevertheless, the album shows his musicianship and his ability to play with anyone. It's good but not really my favorite.

You still don't have this? Guests always ask who this is.. we keep a spare copy around as a never fail gift. We are taking Jazz, where our hearts live. Right. Marvelous stuff.

Charlie Parker was a great musician. Stitt, although he admirably learnt Parker's be-bop style inside out just doesn't have the edge to make his playing of equal. Parker, as well as having the technique to match his brain signals was also a clever composer, using new harmony techniques and innovations in jazz. If anything, this album shows how far behind Parker Stitt was. He's still a terrific player though.