Sonny Stitt Sextet and Quintet - Only the Blues

This is Sonny Stitts album, and it shows. He is a master in full flight, communicating directly and deeply. Even when his style was closer to Charlie Parkers, he always had a style of his own, driven by great melodic imagination and a technical flexibility unequaled among his peers.

Roy Eldridge, one of the undeniable greats in the history of jazz trumpet, plays explosively here, delivering well-constructed solos. The rhythm section, with Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Herb Ellis and Stan Levey, is superb. Peterson is at his best: his comping is sensitive, strong and varied, and his solos full of drive. On the original liner notes, Roy Eldridge said: Oscar really knows to feel a guy, and when to really push him.

Stitt, Roy and Oscar got a fantastic scene going that resulted in one of the most exciting jazz sessions ever recorded.

1. The String (Stitt) 10:02
2. Cleveland Blues (Stitt) 12:01
3. B.W. Blues (Stitt) 11:35
4. Blues For Bags (Stitt) 10:39
5. I Didnt Know What Time It Was (Rodgers-Hart) 3:24 *
6. I Remember You (Schertzinger-Herndon-Mercer) 3:43 *
7. I Know That You Know (Youmans-Caldwell) 4:37 *
8. I Know That You Know (Youmans-Caldwell) [Alternate take] 4:38 *