The Battle of Birdland explained

The Battle of Birdland
Type:	Live album
Artist:	Sonny Stitt and Eddie Davis
Cover:	The Battle of Birdland.jpg
Released:	1955
Recorded:	1954
Venue:	Birdland, New York City
Genre:	Jazz
Label:	Roost RLP/RST 1203
Chronology:	Sonny Stitt
Prev Title:	Jazz at the Hi-Hat
Prev Year:	1954
Next Title:	Sonny Stitt Plays Arrangements from the Pen of Quincy Jones
Next Year:	1955

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.^[1]

Reception

Scott Yanow, in his review for Allmusic, calls the album "a spirited and typically competitive jam session".^[2] 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".^[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Sonny Stitt except as indicated

1. "Jaws" (Eddie Davis) – 9:55
2. "I Can't Get Started" (Ira Gershwin, Vernon Duke) – 7:21
3. "Marchin'" – 8:45
4. "S.O.S." – 7:50
5. "Whoops!" 8:17 additional track on CD release
6. "All the Things You Are" (Oscar Hammerstein II, Jerome Kern) – 8:23 additional track on CD release
7. "Rollercoaster" – 9:06 additional track on CD release
8. "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

Notes and References

1. Edwards, D. & Callahan, M.Royal Roost/Roost Album Discography accessed January 2, 2013
2. Yanow, S. Allmusic Review accessed January 2, 2013
3. Patten, D. R. Sonny Stitt and Eddie Lockjaw Davis - Tenor Battle at Birdland, May 1, 2001.