Search - Sonny Rollins :: Without a Song: The 9/11 Concert

Without a Song: The 9/11 Concert
Sonny Rollins
Without a Song: The 9/11 Concert
Genres: Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (6) - Disc #1

The raw-boned sound and spellbinding solos of the Harlem-born, septuagenarian make Sonny Rollins the "Saxophone Colossus." On this live date, recorded in Boston four days after the horrific September 11th attacks in New Y...  more »

     
2

Larger Image

CD Details

All Artists: Sonny Rollins
Title: Without a Song: The 9/11 Concert
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Milestone
Original Release Date: 1/1/2005
Re-Release Date: 8/30/2005
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Styles: Modern Postbebop, Bebop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 025218934220, 0090204926176

Synopsis

Amazon.com
The raw-boned sound and spellbinding solos of the Harlem-born, septuagenarian make Sonny Rollins the "Saxophone Colossus." On this live date, recorded in Boston four days after the horrific September 11th attacks in New York ? which Rollins witnessed ? the leader and his band mates: trombonist (and nephew) Clifton Anderson, bassist Bob Cranshaw, pianist Stephen Scott, African percussionist Kimati Dinizuli, and drummer Perry Wilson, unleash the healing power of music. Armed with wood, ivory, brass and steel, they played snappy and soulful renditions of the standards "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square," "Why Was I Born?," "Where or When," and the title track. The lone Rollins selection, an original calypso entitled "Global Warming," is a worthy successor to his classic "St. Thomas." The legendary saxophonist is a master of thematic improvisation, as he bends, molds and transmutes the DNA of each song, and uplifts the audience, through the undying power of art.--Eugene Holley, Jr.

Similarly Requested CDs

 

CD Reviews

A Welcome Return for the Master
M. Murphy | birmingham, alabama United States | 09/05/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sonny Rollins in a live recording from Boston just days after 9-11 puts on a thrilling and HEALING show that thrills the still shell shocked audience. There is a sense that the crowd along with the musicians needed something, anything to cling to within the context of the horror of the attacks on America. What they received was a lyrical yet intersting retelling of several standards and Rollins original song Global Warming which gives a peek into some of what was intersting Sonny at this time. Two standards are of particular interst. Both Without a Song[title cut] and Why Was I Born? are not only thrilling from a musical sense but raise profound thoughts at a deeply profound moment in our country's history.Deep thinking aside both songs ebb and flow into a mesmerizing telling and retelling of two lovely melodies. Sonny's legendary improvising "with a brain" is fully on center stage.

Of particular note as far as the supporting cast is Clifton Anderson on trombone who is Sonny's nephew I believe. Anderson solos nicely but more importantly he supports the master beautifully with deeper shadings to highlight Rollins legendary abilty around the "bottom" of the tenor sax. Bob Cranshaw, Rollin's longtime bassist also provides strong "walking support".

One last kudo for including Sonny's spoken words during the show. Within the next year or two Rollins would lose his wife of many years and these events of 9-11 which occured just 4 days earlier took place just blocks from his NY appartment are the start of "profound times". Rollins speaks carefully about us "needing music especially now". While his words were few they were heartfelt and seemed to "help".

I know his music helps. Reccommended."
Can Sonny still kick it ?? You Bet !!!
R. J. Marsella | California | 09/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a joy to hear this and realize that as of 4 years ago Sonny Rollins was still blowing at a level most sax players only dream of. The band is tight and energetic and Sonny sounds like a much younger man. The opener, Without A Song , immediately makes a statement about how good this is going to be and the rest of the cd doesn't disappoint. Sonny Rollins is the greatest live performer I've ever seen and though I haven't seen him live in many years it brought a huge smile to my face to hear this.

"
75 years old, always young and powerful.Great Rollins here!!
JEAN-MARIE JUIF | BESANCON France | 10/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great,great,great!!! The 75 years old Theodore "Sonny" Rollins,71 years old when this recording was made,the colossus of the tenor sax,the "Newk",is always as powerful as he was fourty years before.It seems incredible that his blowing is such deeply inventive and rich,55 years after the beginning of his recording career.Of course,Rollins is a real colossus.He is physically impressive.He blow,during the fifties and the sixties,some of the most essential music ever recorded.



September 11,2001;a few days before his 71th birthday,Sonny Rollins was at home,in his Manhattan appartment,only six blocks from the Twin Towers,while his wife Lucille was in their New York home.He saw everything.He had to stay in his flat for one day,before being authorized to leave,only with his saxophone.He thought about cancelling this September 15 concert in Boston,but finally the band was at the Berklee Performance Center.

The band consists of Clifton Anderson,trombone,Stephen Scott,piano,Bob Cranshaw,bass;Perry Wilson,drums and Kimati Dinizulu,percussion.The repertoire played this evening is made of great songs:"Without a song","a nightingale sang in Berkeley square","where or when" and the rare "why was I born",so deeply marked by Billie Holiday's magnificent version,more than sixty years before;plus "global warming",a Rollins original,an outstanding calypso,reminding Rollins' carribean grounds.It's amazing to discover that Sonny's sound hasn't changed since "the bridge" or "the standard",which were recorded 40 years before that night.

The band plays magnificently;Stephen Scott is brilliant,he's got ideas,his playing is adventurous and very swinging (listen to his choruses on "why was I born").And Sonny is everywhere,playing a lot,with a youthful ardour.This music is great,great, even if some critics will tell you that Sonny isn't as new as he was before,even if they say that he still plays the same music without exploring new directions.And so what ? Did Louis Armstrong try to play with Lennie Tristano in the fifties? No. Did Count Basie hired Albert Ayler in his sax section in the sixties? No.Did Sidney Bechet used to play "Moose the mooche" or "Salt peanuts" when he lived in France? No again.They all were geniuses of jazz,they all created more music than the average musicians,but they kept on playing their own style,and everybody was happy with that.Maybe Sonny created something so exceptionnal in the early sixties,maybe he was too adventurous at this time;but don't you think he is as adventurous here,in his magnificent solos on "global warming" or "why was I born"?

This 9/15 concert,and not 9/11 as written on the jacket,is a very great date in Sonny Rollins' discography.The ever young music of an ever young master of the tenor saxophone, playing like a young man, for your pleasure. Don't miss it!!!"