Sonny Rollins | Sonny Rollins And The Big Brass

AllMusic Review by Ken Dryden

Big Brass is an appropiate name for the large ensemble arranged and conducted by Ernie Wilkins that accompanies the huge sound of Sonny Rollins. The energy within the leader's gospel-flavored shout "Grand Street" is considerable, while a swinging but no less powerful version of George & Ira Gershwin's "Who Cares" features a choice solo by guitarist Rene Thomas. Also added to this compilation are trio recordings with bassist Henry Grimes and drummer Specs Wright, including a brilliant leisurely stroll through "Manhattan," along with Rollins' tour de force unaccompanied tenor sax on "Body and Soul." Another bonus is the presence of four tracks recorded at the Music Inn with three-quarters of the Modern Jazz Quartet (without Milt Jackson); an easygoing version of Rollins' well-known "Doxy" and a tense "Limehouse Blues" are especially noteworthy. The alternate endings to "Grand Street" from the mono version of the original LP and a later reissue LP are included only for the most fanatic completists.

Sonny Rollins – tenor saxophone Henry Grimes - bass (# 1-7, 13 & 14) Specs Wright - drums (# 5-7) Nat Adderley - cornet (# 1-4, 13 & 14) Reunald Jones, Ernie Royal, Clark Terry - trumpet (# 1-4, 13 & 14) Billy Byers, Jimmy Cleveland, Frank Rehak - trombone (# 1-4, 13 & 14) Don Butterfield - tuba (# 1-4, 13 & 14) Dick Katz - piano (# 1-4, 13 & 14) René Thomas - guitar (# 1-4, 13 & 14) Roy Haynes - drums (# 1-4, 13 & 14) Ernie Wilkins - arranger, conductor (# 1-4, 13 & 14) John Lewis - piano (# 9 & 12) Percy Heath bass (# 9-12) Connie Kay - drums (# 9-12)

"Grand Street" - 6:04 "Far Out East" - 4:31 "Who Cares?" - 3:56 "Love Is a Simple Thing" - 3:01 "What's My Name?" - 3:46 "If You Were the Only Girl in the World" - 5:08 "Manhattan" - 4:28 "Body and Soul" - 4:17 "Doxy" - 7:58 "Limehouse Blues" - 6:32 "I'll Follow My Secret Heart" - 5:31 "You Are Too Beautiful" - 6:07 "Grand Street" [Mono LP Ending] - 1:09 "Grand Street" [Verve LP Ending] - 1:08

Recorded - Los Angeles, CA, on October 20, 21 & 22, 1958 (# 1-8, 13 & 14) and the Music Inn, Lenox, MA, on August 3, 1958 (# 9-12)