Perhaps the high points of Joe Fields's Cobblestone label were a pair of albums by Sonny Stitt released in 1972—Tune-Up! and Constellation. Both were produced by Don Schlitten. On Tunre-Up!, Stitt played alto and tenor saxophone and was accompanied by Barry Harris on piano, Sam Jones on bass and Alan Dawson on drums.
What made this album (and Constellation) special was Stitt's commanding speed, clean lines and bebop fluidity. I remember buying both at Sam Goody in Manhattan that year and playing them relentlessly. Each listen was another revelation, and Stitt's playing was energetic and magical.
There were no throw-way songs or wasted notes. Every song was a gem. If you go back as far as I do, I'm sure you owned this one, too, and played it often. If you're unfamiliar, you're in for a treat.
The tracks:
Here's the complete Tune-Up! without ad interruptions...
What made this album (and Constellation) special was Stitt's commanding speed, clean lines and bebop fluidity. I remember buying both at Sam Goody in Manhattan that year and playing them relentlessly. Each listen was another revelation, and Stitt's playing was energetic and magical.
There were no throw-way songs or wasted notes. Every song was a gem. If you go back as far as I do, I'm sure you owned this one, too, and played it often. If you're unfamiliar, you're in for a treat.
The tracks:
- Tune-Up
- I Can't Get Started
- Idaho
- Just Friends
- Blues for Prez and Bird
- Groovin' High
- I Got Rhythm
Here's the complete Tune-Up! without ad interruptions...
This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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