This previously unissued set by the great
bebop
saxophonist
Sonny Stitt
does not contain any real surprises.
Stitt
, who at the time was using a Varitone octave device on his horns (it is fortunately barely noticeable here), performs with his regular band of the period, a trio with organist
Don Patterson
and drummer
Billy James
(who unaccountably is listed on the CD as "Billy Pierce"). With the exception of the medium-tempo
blues
"Shake Your Head,"
has recorded all of these
standards
numerous times elsewhere. Although his playing on both alto and tenor is quite professional and reasonably creative within the boundaries of his boppish music,
sometimes sounds as if he is just going through the motions. The generic liner notes and LP-length playing time are also slight minuses to this swinging but predictable release. ~ Scott Yanow