Sonny Rollins | Saxophone Colossus

Voted by Miles Davis as the greatest tenor ever, an inventive saxophonist and an astonishing soloist. 
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AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow

Sonny Rollins recorded many memorable sessions during 1954-1958, but Saxophone Colossus is arguably his finest all-around set. Joined by pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Doug Watkins, and drummer Max Roach, Rollins debuts and performs the definitive version of "St. Thomas," tears into the chord changes of "Mack the Knife" (here called "Moritat"), introduces "Strode Rode," is lyrical on "You Don't Know What Love Is," and constructs a solo on "Blue Seven" that practically defines his style. Essential music that, as with all of Rollins' Prestige recordings, has also been reissued as part of a huge "complete" box set; listeners with a tight budget are advised to pick up this single disc and be amazed.

Sonny Rollins
Saxophone Colossus
1956


1. 00:00:00 St Thomas
2. 00:06:50 You Don't Know What Love Is
3. 00:13:20 Strode Mode
4. 00:18:36 Moritat
5. 00:28:44 Blue Seven
6. 00:40:00 Tune Up
7. 00:45:48 Asiatic Raes
8. 00:51:48 The Surrey With The Fringe On Top
9. 00:58:23 Wonderful! Wonderful!
10. 01:04:25 Namely You
11. 01:07:48 Blues For Philly Joe
12. 01:14:36 Sonny Rollins Tenor Madness
13. 01:26:54 When Your Lover Has Gone
14. 01:33:08 Paul's Pal
15. 01:38:21 My Reverie
16. 01:44:30 The Most Beautiful Girl In The World