Track Listing

1. St. Thomas
2. You Don't Know What Love Is
3. Strode Rode
4. Moritat
5. Blue 7

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7779 in Music
• Released on: 2006-03-21
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered

Amazon.com
Though he lacked the improvisational fire of John Coltrane or the restless curiosity of Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins played with a rich, round tone that complemented his melodic inclinations, making him the most accessible of the postbop musicians. Saxophone Colossus is the most successful of the late 1950s albums that made his reputation. Rollins's playing never falters; he's backed by the redoubtable Max Roach on drums, Tommy Flanagan on piano, and Doug Watkins on bass. Rollins is equally at home with the lilting Caribbean air of "St. Thomas," standards ("You Don't Know What Love Is"), blues ("Strode Rode," featuring a driving Flanagan solo), and a smoldering version of Brecht-Weill's "Moritat" (better known as "Mac the Knife"). If you are new to jazz, there is no better place to start than Saxophone Colossus. --Steven Mirkin

Customer Reviews

Overly Popular Saxophone Colossus Might Divert Audience from Sonny Rollins's True Talent
While it is undeniable that the catchy theme of "St. Thomas" has made Saxophone Colossus the most beloved work of Sonny Rollins, the album fairly showcases his improvisational genius. As heard on "St. Thomas," Rollins typically begins with cautions and then gradually develops into lyric lines. After the other musicians' solos, Rollins comes back with furious fast phrases before returning to the theme. Among the band members, drummer Max Roach is phenomenal, playing aggressive ad-libs while keeping the beat (especially on "Blue 7"). His interplays with Rollins are also thrilling (especially on "Strode Rode"). The variety of tunes, from calypso to Kurt Weill cover to authentic blues, shows Rollins's broad range of interests. Overall, Saxophone Colossus has remained as the most well-known work of his; being overly popular, it might divert the audience's attention from his true talent as a jazz improviser.

The Great Sonny Rollins
In all books about jazz I found this CD highly recommended, I looked for it and when I listened its music I understood the reason.

Mine DOESN'T skip
I don't write reviews very often (or EVER...) but I was just glancing over the reviews here that claim the 2006 RVG remaster is defective, so I popped my copy in and played it straight through (yeah, it's my day off) and there are no skips, glitches, or hiccups. Nothing. I don't know why some would skip, but mine works perfectly.