| It's Magic | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 22, 2005 | |||
| Recorded | 1969 | |||
| Studio | P.S. Studio, Chicago | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 39:37 | |||
| Label | Delmark DD-563 | |||
| Producer | Robert G. Koester | |||
| Sonny Stitt chronology | ||||
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It's Magic is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1969 but not released by the Delmark label until 2005. [1] [2]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    [3] |
| All About Jazz | [4] |
Scott Yanow of Allmusic said "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... Although his playing on both alto and tenor is quite professional and reasonably creative within the boundaries of his boppish music, Stitt sometimes sounds as if he is just going through the motions". [3] In JazzTimes Chris Kelsey wrote "Sonny Stitt’s It’s Magic (Delmark), an organ-trio date recorded in 1969, is less magic than simple sleight-of-hand. ... Absent is the dauntless intensity he could bring to the table when the mood struck him. His use of a Varitone device-an early signal processor that added an octave below the tenor’s normal register-might have been an inhibiting factor, although the extra octave is just barely audible when it can be heard at all ... it’s like watching Houdini pull a rabbit out of a hat. It’s kind of cool, but you know he’s capable of much more". [5] On All About Jazz Paul Olsen noted "It's Magic isn't a great album and it's by no means essential. But it's got its charms, though. It's a rough-sounding, raw recording with occasionally faltering sound, but that quality gives it a certain immediacy that benefits the variable performance—at times, anyway. Sometimes Stitt's great, sometimes he's not. The band's ability rises and falls. There's no faking it—and that's jazz, not magic" [4]
Edward Hammond Boatner Jr., known professionally as Sonny Stitt, was an American jazz saxophonist of the bebop/hard bop idiom. Known for his warm tone, he was one of the best-documented saxophonists of his generation, recording more than 100 albums. He was nicknamed the "Lone Wolf" by jazz critic Dan Morgenstern because of his relentless touring and devotion to jazz yet rarely worked with the same musicians for long. Stitt was sometimes viewed as a Charlie Parker mimic, especially earlier in his career, but gradually came to develop his own sound and style, particularly when performing on tenor saxophone.
Dig Him! is an album by saxophonists Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt recorded in 1961 and originally released on the Argo label in 1961. The album was subsequently rereleased as We'll Be Together Again on the Prestige label in 1968.
Kaleidoscope is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt compiling tracks recorded in 1950-52 and released on the Prestige label in 1957. The 1991 CD reissue added four bonus tracks to the original LP.
Sonny Stitt at the D. J. Lounge is a live album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in Chicago in 1961 and released on the Argo label.
The Battle of Birdland is a live album by saxophonists Sonny Stitt and Eddie Davis recorded at Birdland in New York City in 1954 and originally released on the Roost label.
Jazz at the Hi-Hat is a live album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in Boston in 1954 and originally released on the Roost label as a four track 10 inch LP. The original album has been expanded with additional material and released on CD in two volumes.
What's New!!! is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1966 and released on the Roulette label. The album represents Stitt's first recorded use of the varitone, an electronic amplification device which altered the saxophone's sound.
I Keep Comin' Back! is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1966 and released on the Roulette label. The album represents Stitt's second album featuring the varitone, an electronic amplification device which altered the saxophone's sound.
Parallel-a-Stitt is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1967 and released on the Roulette label. The album represents Stitt's third featuring the varitone, an electronic amplification device which altered the saxophone's sound.
Soul Electricity! is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1968 and released on the Prestige label. The album features Stitt using the varitone, an electronic amplification device which altered the saxophone's sound.
Night Letter is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1969 and released on the Prestige label. The album features Stitt using the varitone, an electronic amplification device which altered the saxophone's sound.
Turn It On! is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1971 and released on the Prestige label. The album features Stitt using the varitone, an electronic amplification device which altered the saxophone's sound.
Tune-Up! is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1972 and released on the Cobblestone label.
Constellation is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1972 and released on the Cobblestone label.
Mellow is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1975 and released on the Muse label.
Dumpy Mama is an album by American jazz saxophonist Sonny Stitt, featuring performances recorded in 1975 for the Flying Dutchman label.
Sonny Stitt with Strings: A Tribute to Duke Ellington is an album by American jazz saxophonist Sonny Stitt featuring performances of compositions associated with Duke Ellington recorded in 1977 for the Catalyst label.
In Style is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1981 and released on the Muse label the following year.
Made for Each Other is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1968 but not released by the Delmark label until 1972. The album represents Stitt's fourth recording featuring the varitone, an electronic amplification device which altered the saxophone's sound.
Rainbow Mist is an album by the American jazz saxophonist Coleman Hawkins compiling recordings from 1944 originally released by Apollo Records that was released by the Delmark label in 1992.