Sonny Stitt – Blows the Blues (AS Verve Vinyl LP)

Sonny Stitt’s Blows the Blues on 180g LP. Remastered from the Original Analog Tapes by Bernie Grundman, Pressed at QRP and Housed in a Stoughton Gatefold Jacket.

Sonny Stitt led a number of excellent record dates in 1959, especially at the end of the year when he produced three LPs for Verve over a span of three sessions with pianist Lou Levy, bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Mel Lewis. Playing alto sax throughout this album, Stitt hardly sounds like a Charlie Parker clone, something that unfortunately was a frequent claim by tin-eared critics throughout a fair portion of his career. The music includes several potent originals, especially “Hymnal Blues” and the slow, powerful “Morning After Blues.”

Originally released in 1970.

Seeking to offer definitive audiophile grade versions of some of the most historic and best jazz records ever recorded, Verve’s vinyl reissue series utilizes the skills of top mastering engineers and the unsurpassed production craft of Quality Record Pressings. All titles are mastered from the original analog tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and packaged by Stoughton Printing Co. in high-quality gatefold sleeves with tip-on jackets.

Musicians:
Sonny Stitt, alto saxophone
Lou Levy, piano
Leroy Vinnegar, bass
Mel Lewis, drums

1. Blue Devil Blues
2. Home Free Blues
3. Blue Prelude
4. Frankie and Johnny
5. Birth of the Blues
6. A Blues Offering
7. Hymnal Blues
8. Morning After Blues