SONNY STITT
Just The Way It Was (Label M)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Sonny Stitt was the first artist to record with the Varitone electric saxophone, which seems natural when you consider that throughout his career he played both alto and tenor with equal facility. With the Varitone, he could change registers with the flick of a switch, rather than a switch of instruments, allowing him to broaden his pallette of sound more fluidly. Some folks didn't like it, but some people haven't gotten used to amplified guitars yet, either. A Martin dreadnought is a wonderful thing, but I'm sure glad Jimi Hendrix wasn't limited to one.

Stitt plays the Varitone on this session, recorded at a performance for the Left Bank Jazz Society of Baltimore in 1971. He's joined by his regular band of the time, featuring organist Don Patterson and drummer Billy James. The disc is among the first releases from the Left Bank vaults, which have been opened to producer Joel Dorn's new venture, Label M. Originally recorded on a home machine for the benefit of the Left Bank membership, the sound quality is remarkably good given the equipment and conditions of its origin.

Of course, it would be hard for this band to sound anything but good. They were road warriors, making regular rounds of the national jazz club circuit of the day, developing the mutual feel for one another that only comes from year after year of night after night. The result brings us three of the best doing what they did best - swinging their butts off for a knowledgeable, appreciative audience. It doesn't get much better.

Track List:

Deuces Wild * Samba De Orpheus * Who Can I Turn To? * Cry Me A River * John Brown's Body * The Shadow Of Your Smile * Blues Up And Down

© 2000 - Shaun Dale