I've avoided "Brothers 4" because Stitt uses the Varitone throughout. I'm not much of a fan of that sound but I'm starting to try again. I just picked up his other two--fer, "Legends of Acid Jazz" with one half being Varitone. Maybe I'll get more out of it this time around?
Welcome Jay. Great story about Harry. On the Radio Discussions forum, Mark Giardina posted this funny story:
A funny story about Harry I wanted to pass along to everyone.
Harry had a bad habit of coming to work late.
After being at the station from 4pm and finishing up hosting a talk show (with no producer or call-screener) after 1 am, I was anxious to get home.
At first Harry would show up 15 minutes late, then it started to be a half-hour. Finally I told Harry the next time he wasn't in the studio after the news at 1:05 am I would stop playing his opening theme and a several jazz selections and play whatever I wanted. Apparently he thought I was kidding; I wasn't.
So the next night when 1:05 am came around and the news was over I put a Hank Williams Senior album on the turntable (this is decades before computers) and let it play. The next night it was a John Wayne record.
Needless to say Harry was fuming mad and swearing like hell as I heard him come running down the hallway from the back door at 350 East Avenue into the studio. ( I was in the newsroom at the time).
The next day I'm told to report to the GM's office and was asked what's going on? "Harry is very upset with you".
After I explained the situation to the GM I just came out and said if Harry continues to be late for work, I will personally buy a Mrs. Miller's greatest hits album and play the damn thing in its entirety every night he's late.
Word must have got back to Harry because he was never late again. ;D
This seems to be that two-fer comp…
https://www.discogs.com/release/14722696-Sonny-Stitt-Don-Patterson-Brothers-4
Have to confess that I’ve never explored any of Stitt with organ before — and was only vaguely aware Grant Green had done any sideman work as late as 1969.