The Battle of Birdland (also released as Tenor Battle at Birdland and Jaws N' Stitt at 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.Edwards, D. & Callahan, M.Royal Roost/Roost Album Discography accessed January 2, 2013
Reception
Scott Yanow, in his review for Allmusic, calls the album "a spirited and typically competitive jam session".Yanow, S. Allmusic Review accessed January 2, 2013 The All About Jazz review stated "both tenormen were in the prime of their great careers at this stage and the music is wonderful... this recording is a rare and memorable item indeed".Patten, D. R. Sonny Stitt and Eddie Lockjaw Davis - Tenor Battle at Birdland, May 1, 2001.
Track listing All compositions by Sonny Stitt except as indicated "Jaws" (Eddie Davis) – 9:55 "I Can't Get Started" (Ira Gershwin, Vernon Duke) – 7:21 "Marchin'" – 8:45 "S.O.S." – 7:50 "Whoops!" 8:17 additional track on CD release "All the Things You Are" (Oscar Hammerstein II, Jerome Kern) – 8:23 additional track on CD release "Rollercoaster" – 9:06 additional track on CD release "Don't Blame Me" (Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh) – 7:51 additional track on CD release
Personnel Eddie Davis, Sonny Stitt – tenor saxophone Harry "Doc" Bagby – organ Charlie Rice – drums
References