Search - Sonny Simmons :: Live in Paris

Great performance from an under-appreciated artist

Andreas C G | Huntington Beach, CA United States | 12/10/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If this had been a professional quality recording, I wouldn't have hesitated to give it 5 stars. Sonny Simmons is one of the most under-appreciated treasures of jazz today. His sax and english horn are immediately recognizable, once you've heard him. Fans of the 60's avant-guarde / free jazz pioneers of the 60's will like him, as he was part of that movement. Simmons's music is not easily categorized, however, as he moves from hard bop to more experimental styles with ease. After several crucial recordings in the 60's (especially "Firebirds" with Prince Lasha), he spent most of the 70's and 80's without recording contracts, before finally making a comeback in the 90's.



The sound quality is the only problem. It sounds like a bootleg recording, with noise from the audience. This is a shame, because the music really is top notch. Simmons and his trio perform songs from his 60's and more recent recordings, as well as some standards ('Round Midnight is real nice!)



Fans of Sonny Simmons will want this one, despite the drawbacks."