Track Listing

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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #199954 in Music
• Released on: 1999-10-19
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered

Album Description
Japanese limited edition issue of the album classic in a deluxe, miniaturized LP sleeve replica of the original vinyl album artwork.

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

A jazz milestone....
Without a doubt, one of the five best jazz albums ever made is this 1956 masterpiece. Recorded in a single day at Rudy Van Gelder's living room/studio, Sonny Rollins earned his place as a legend with "Saxophone Colossus". Aided and abetted by powerhouse drummer Max Roach, pianist Tommy Flanagan, and bassist Doug Watkins, the quartet plays with the precision of a chamber orchestra, and swings just as hard. It's not very often that you hear an album where the musicians are so in tune with each other. From the breezy sway of "St. Thomas" to the final notes of "Blue 7", Rollins and company shows how it should be done. This newly remastered edition finally sounds as great as the original vinyl pressing but without the hefty price you'll shuck out for an original copy. No serious jazz fan should be without a copy of this amazing album in their collection.

A classic!
Sonny Rollins solidified his claim to the top tenor spot of the late 1950's with albums like, "Way Out West" and this one. His tone is warm, full, and flawless as he swings his way through this set with Max Roach on drums, Tommy Flanagan on piano, and Doug Watkins on bass. The calypso flavored "St Thomas" opens the disc and is a textbook example of what makes Rollins great. His playing is effortless, relaxed, and flawless. He displays a soft touch with sensetive interpretation of the standard "You Don't Know What Love Is", and kicks it back into high gear with the hard charging uptempo "Strode Rode". He displays his talent for uncovering unconventional material with a selection from a German musical here titled "Moritat". The final track is the jazz masterpiece "Blue7". Featuring masterful solos by Roach and Rollins this track leaves one feeling Sonny is cooler than most people could hope to be. Saxophone Colossus is one of those rare albums that is packed with legendary performances and future standards, flawless from top to bottom. This cd is essential and is guaranteed to delight.

One of the greatest albums in jazz
Though, in my opinion, this is not Sonny's greatest recording, it is perhaps his most influencial and definatly his greatest herald, listed often as one of the 10 greatest albums of jazz. I've read some reviews claiming that other sax players far surpass Sonny's skill, names like Stan Getz and Trane. However, once you listen to this album you'll see why Sonny is called by almost all music critics as the greatest improviser on any instrument in any style of all time, he was actually voted almost unanimously to this title by Down Beat, Jazziz, and Jazz Times in the 90s, as well as perhaps jazz's greatest virtuoso. Not simply for his raw technical ability or immense understanding of harmony and melody, but his flawless ability to make even the most dense and esoteric music seem ever so familiar and listenable in any context. Blue 7 is a monumental example of Sonny's skill, many people don't know that the 'melody' is completly improvised, and though it may not seem, it is a forward look at just how far Sonny will play outside the changes. This is a great starting point for those who want to here the master of melodic improvisation and I highly recommend listening to The Bridge and On Impulse after this record as well.