Customer Reviews

Tune Up! + Constellation

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

 

 

This is by far the best way to acquire these two classic early-1970s LPs ("Tune Up" and "Constellation") by Stitt and pianist Barry Harris. Both records are right up at the top of Stitt's discography and feature the great reed man on both alto and tenor, playing tasty standards and bebop classics like "Just Friends," "Ray's Idea," Tadd Dameron's beautiful "Casbah," "Ghost of a Chance," etc. Of the two sessions, "Constellation" is slightly more relaxed, due partly to the sublimely tasteful and intuitive drumming of the undersung Roy Brooks. "Tune Up" has Alan Dawson on drums; Sam Jones handles the bass on both sessions. Barry Harris fans will eat these tracks up. Fantastic, and a nice package with photos and repros of the two original album covers; the tracks are here in their original order, too. If you like the bebop language, this disc delivers the goods. Very inspiring stuff.

Good news for those lucky people who don't know about these two great records originally released on Cobblestone and later on Muse. I remember looking hard for these treasures in all the "out of print" stores and feeling so happy having found them. It's almost disappointing seeing them so easily available these days. However I feel happy that you can hear mighty Sonny Stitt often wronged by many critics( unfavorably comparing him to Charlie Parker or dismissing him as a copyist altogether) at the top of his formidable form. Great support of his musical peers Barry Harris and Sam Jones and two great drummers (Alan Dawson is great on Tune Up but I feel the rhythm section is even better with Roy Brooks on Constellation).
These are simply great jazz small group recordings and my strong candidates for those "desert islands" discs. Enjoy!

This CD, which combines two albums Stitt recorded in the early 70's, is a real bargain, and not just for your pocketbook. This is from start to finish a most enjoyable recording by a bebop legend at the peak of his powers during his mature years. There are uptempo burners and gorgeous ballads on standard and original material with Sonny performing masterfully on either tenor or alto saxophone. The rhythm section is tight with the great Barry Harris playing particularly inspired piano. If you call yourself a straight ahead jazz fan, you got to get this jam!