Search - Sonny Rollins :: Bridge

Bridge
Sonny Rollins
Bridge
Genres: Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (6) - Disc #1

Widely acknowledged as the most significant and accomplished tenor saxophonist in the world, Sonny Rollins's recording legacy is nothing short of extraordinary. Beginning as a sideman in the late-'40s, he worked with Charl...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Sonny Rollins
Title: Bridge
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: RCA
Original Release Date: 1/1/1962
Re-Release Date: 5/21/1996
Album Type: Original recording reissued
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Styles: Modern Postbebop, Bebop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 090266851829

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Widely acknowledged as the most significant and accomplished tenor saxophonist in the world, Sonny Rollins's recording legacy is nothing short of extraordinary. Beginning as a sideman in the late-'40s, he worked with Charlie Parker, Fats Navarro, Bud Powell, Max Roach, Clifford Brown, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, and Miles Davis. Since recording his first date as a leader in 1954, Rollins has recorded dozens of albums for numerous labels, eventually settling in for a long stay on Milestone. The Bridge, recorded in 1962 for RCA Records, is one of Rollins's most dramatic recordings: it marks a return from three years of self-imposed retirement and its title track is a nod to the stories that Rollins had spent much of that time practicing by himself on the Williamsburg Bridge. The lineup for The Bridge is unusual for the time, a quartet featuring guitar (Jim Hall) instead of piano. The rest of the band, bassist Ben Cranshaw and either Ben Riley or Harry Saunders on drums, serve simply to frame Rollins, whose time off only improved his already awesome abilities. Along with the title track, the album's standouts include "Without a Song" and "God Bless the Child." --Fred Goodman

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CD Reviews

Scintillating
Kenneth James Michael MacLean | Ann Arbor, MI USA | 12/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of Sonny Rollin's finest recordings. Sonny's playing here is some of the finest sax ever recorded. This is Sonny at the height of his powers, and he swings madly, but always under control. His ballad playing here is also superb. In my opinion, this is the greatest pure sax player that ever lived, and he shows it here on the title cut, "The Bridge." His playing is simply astonishing -- I have listened to this piece over and over and I can't believe he can swing so hard and be so creative and melodic at the same time. That is the mark of genius -- knowing where you are headed all of the time, but not afraid to push the envelope. I think that this recording is a cut above the "tenor madness" stuff -- it is more creative and powerful, in my opinion. Sonny's solos here are amazing. Jim Hall is in fine form as well, setting the background chords for Sonny to play over. Hall is smooth and creative, and the other players shine as well.
This is one of the very finest saxophone dates on record, combining swing and ballad tunes."
Sonny strikes again
Andy Williamson | Chicago, IL | 04/22/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recently got this cd and I love it. All the tracks are very good and engaging. The treat of the whole experience is hearing Jim Hall on guitar right along side Rollins. What a great matchup! The title track was featured prominently in the Ken Burns film 'Jazz'. As far as Sonny's catalogue goes-this is one of the must haves."