Featured Album | Alternative Liner Notes

052 | Sonny Stitt & Paul Gonsalves | Salt & Pepper | Jasmine JAS 26 | 1964

The two tenor sax giants Sonny Stitt and Paul Gonsalves conspire to deliver this early Sixties gem for Impulse!, later reissued on the Jasmine label.  The two musicians are joined by Hank Jones on piano, Milt Hinton on bass and Osie Johnson at the drums seat.  Just five numbers here, but each performed immaculately by two seasoned players.  It’s pretty much tenors all the way through, though Stitt picks up the alto for the final number “Stardust”. offering that all-important contrast such a song cries out for.  Stanley Dance tells us in the liner notes that the session took place early in the morning on 5 September, 1964 and waxes lyrical on the duellist metaphor for probably longer than necessary.  The duelling here couldn’t be further away from honourable gentlemen ready to whack one another at dawn, but empathise warmly throughout the 35 minutes of music.  With Bob Thiele at the helm, the ensemble deliver on cue, some fine performances, not least the sprawling 12 minute “Perdido”.  Perhaps the strangest moment is the inclusion of the quirky “Theme from Lord of the Flies”, based on the children’s chant featured in the movie version of the Classic William Golding novel, which at just under 3 minutes, keeps the listener somewhat engaged, if only temporarily.  One niggle, the cover shot could be better.               

Playlist:

Remember – Hank Mobley (Soul Station)

Salt & Pepper – Sonny Stitt & Paul Gonsalves (Salt & Pepper)

Cheese Cake – Dexter Gordon (Go!)

Meet Me in the City – Junior Kimbrough (You Better Run)

Weaver of Dreams – Kenny Burrell (Introducing Kenny Burrell)

High Society – Don Redman (Don Redman)

Stomping at the Savoy – Charley Christian (Charley Christian)

Perdido – Sonny Stitt & Paul Gonsalves (Salt & Pepper)