Only the Blues

This is Sonny Stitt s album, and it shows. He is a master in full flight, communicating directly and deeply. Even when his style was closer to Charlie Parker s, 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.