| Shangri-La | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Sonny Stitt with Don Patterson | ||||
| Released | 1964 | |||
| Recorded | March 19, 1964 | |||
| Studio | Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Label | Prestige PR-7332 | |||
| Producer | Ozzie Cadena | |||
| Sonny Stitt chronology | ||||
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| Don Patterson chronology | ||||
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Shangr-La is an album by the saxophonist Sonny Stitt featuring the organist Don Patterson recorded in 1964 and released on the Prestige label. [1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide | [3] |
The editors of AllMusic awarded the album three stars, and writer Richie Unterberger stated: "Shangri-La doesn't particularly stand out from other, similar albums he made at the time with organ, but it's a respectable set with both uptempo swingers and ballads." [2]
A reviewer for Billboard noted that Patterson and James provide "first-rate support" to Stitt, and commented: "The tempos run the gamut from soulful to vibrant. It's all great jazz." [4]
A writer for Negro Digest remarked: "Stitt has remained one of the most baffling... figures on the jazz scene. Nowhere is this more apparent than in... Shangri-La... The spark is still there, but the flame is missing. Where excitement is called for, there is often tedium." [5]
All compositions by Sonny Stitt except as noted.
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 tendency to rarely work with the same musicians for long despite his relentless touring and devotion to jazz. 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 and even occasionally baritone saxophone.
Charles McPherson is an American jazz alto saxophonist born in Joplin, Missouri, United States, and raised in Detroit, Michigan, who worked intermittently with Charles Mingus from 1960 to 1974, and as a performer leading his own groups.
Don Patterson was an American jazz organist.
Gene Ludwig was an American jazz and rhythm and blues organist, who recorded as a leader as well as a sideman for Sonny Stitt, Arthur Prysock, Scott Hamilton, Bob DeVos, and Leslie West, and others. Ludwig received international acclaim as a Hammond organ player and was a prominent figure in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania jazz scene.
Primitivo Soul! is an album by American saxophonist Sonny Stitt, recorded in 1963 and issued on Prestige Records in 1964.
Soul People is an album by American saxophonists Sonny Stitt and Booker Ervin, and organist Don Patterson. Just like his previous Soul Shack, Soul People features heavily blues-drenched jazz. The original album was recorded in 1964 and issued by Prestige in early 1965. In 1993, it was reissued on CD by Prestige, featuring three additional tracks.
Low Flame is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1962 and released on the Jazzland label.
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.
Black Vibrations is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1971 and released on the Prestige label.
Night Crawler is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt with organist Don Patterson recorded in 1965 and released on the Prestige label.
Patterson's People is an album by organist Don Patterson recorded in 1964 and released on the Prestige label.
The Boss Men is an album by organist Don Patterson with saxophonist Sonny Stitt and drummer Billy James recorded in late 1965 and released on the Prestige label.
Funk You! is an album by organist Don Patterson recorded in 1968 and released on the Prestige label.
Brothers-4 is an album by organist Don Patterson with saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1969 and released on the Prestige label. The album features guitarist Grant Green, who was credited as Blue Grant for contractual reasons, being then signed to Blue Note Records. The 2001 CD release added 6 bonus tracks recorded at the same session but issued on other albums.
Donny Brook is an album by organist Don Patterson with saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1969 and released on the Prestige label. The album features guitarist Grant Green who was credited as Blue Grant for contractual reasons, being then signed to Blue Note Records.
Tune Up! is an album by organist Don Patterson featuring tracks recorded in 1964 and 1969 which was released by Prestige in 1971. The album features unreleased recordings from the sessions that also produced Hip Cake Walk, Patterson's People, Oh Happy Day, Brothers-4 and Donny Brook.
Introducing Eric Kloss is the debut album by saxophonist Eric Kloss which was recorded in 1965 and released on the Prestige label.
William "Billy" James was an American jazz drummer.
