What does Only the Blues sound like?

Only the Blues is a jazz album by Sonny Stitt, released in 1957. Good for extended jams with improvisational flair and patient explorations of themes.

Who is Only the Blues for?

Only the Blues works well if you're into extended jams with improvisational flair, patient explorations of themes and intimate moments for deep listening.

How many songs are on Only the Blues?

Only the Blues has 11 tracks, running approximately 76 minutes.

Only the Blues

Sonny Stitt · 1957

76 min · 11 tracks · jazz

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Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid jazz compositions with room for improvisation but lacks standout moments.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of blues progressions across multiple tracks, with variations in tempo and instrumentation.
Several tracks include extended improvisation sections, allowing the musicians to explore themes rather than adhering strictly to written melodies.
The first half of the album maintains a moderate tempo, while the latter half introduces faster-paced pieces that elevate the energy.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.