Sonny Please

Sonny Rollins | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 23, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Emarcy / Umgd
• ASIN: B000IMV4FA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #180,496 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Now in his mid-70s, Sonny Rollins plays with undiminished passion on this, his first new studio recordings in five years. Sonny, Please also marks a turning point in Rollins's life: his wife died in 2004, and he soon thereafter departed Milestone Records to set up his own Doxy imprint, ending one of the longest artist-label relationships in jazz. Playing selections that date back to his youth (such as Noël Coward's "Someday I'll Find You," on which he rolls out melodic lines as if from a beautiful and endless spool) as well as his own originals, the set flows with the compelling vigor of a giant who carries himself with the utmost humility. A powerful soloist, Rollins has seen the years bring even more depth to his musical explorations. As part of a supple sextet, his lines dance around the trombone of Clifton Anderson (who also produced the set) with grace and invention. --David Greenberger

Product Description

ROLLINS SONNY SONNY, PLEASE

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sonny Please....thanks, and keep rollin!, February 20, 2007

By 

Allan Harmeyer "Cool Rockin Daddy" (Way out West) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sonny Please (Audio CD)

I caught Sonny in a live performance this past November, so I got to hear at least 3 tracks off of his most current album...Sonny Please. He opened the set with a fiery "Sonny Please" which smoked for a good 15 minutes (I believe that Victor Lewis was on traps that night so the percussion section helped do the driving). For a man approaching 77 years of age, I was impressed with not only Sonny's playing and gracious presence, but his stamina in performing two 40 - 50 minute sets. Trust me, the man can still play! This album may not be another "Saxophone Colossus" or "The Bridge", but it is a solid recording and should satisfy a majority of Sonny's fans. If you have no recorded music by this jazz legend, this CD is a respectable starting point.

18 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE "SAXOPHONE COLOSSUS" IN A MAGNIFICENT GRAMMY-NOMINATED PERFORMANCE, January 23, 2007

By 

RBSProds "rbsprods" (Deep in the heart of Texas) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sonny Please (Audio CD)

Five Stars are not enough! This Grammy-nominated CD deserves SIX, showing Sonny Rolllins is STILL "the Saxophone Colossus". Completing the DownBeat Readers Poll 'tri-fecta' win in 2006, Sonny was voted "Jazz Artist of the Year", "#1 Tenor Sax", and the "9/11" concert CD was the 2006 Jazz CD of the Year, but this CD is even better. By winning the 2006 Grammy for "Jazz Instrumental Solo" for "Why Was I Born" on the "9/11" CD, Sonny has not sat on his laurels but is still turning out exceptional CDs and live performances like this one. And "Sonny, Please" ranks as one of Sonny's best, delivered at age 77, no less. Sonny has been a part of my personal musical landscape for most of my life and it's been a wonderful experience to behold, in person and on recordings.

Bassist Bob Cranshaw's association with Mr Rollins goes back to the era of "Our Man In Jazz" on RCA Victor. Bobby Broom's highly inventive guitar is added instead of the usual piano, allowing the group to levitate over floating vamps like on "Sonny, Please". Rollins longtime stablemate and producer of this CD, Clifton Anderson's trombone is spare and exciting in solo and support, blowing hot liquid notes. Rounding out the group are the tasteful drummer Steve Jordan and the colorful percussionist Kimati Dinizulu.

The Pieces De Resistance, the best of the best, begin with the title song, "Sonny, Please", based on a favorite phrase of Sonny's late wife, Lucille, and it is a burning experience. Riding on a three-note pedal point, Mr Rollins uncorks one of his best thematic solos on record. The jumping calpyso "Park Palace Parade" continues the Rollins tradition of including one song that harkens back to his 'Island roots', but it substitutes wonderful thematic 'sound scapes' instead of the usual hyper-active calypso energy of old. The elegant "Serenade" (from the "Les Millions d'arlequin" ballet by classical composer Riccardo Drigo) continues the Rollins fascination with both unusual song choices and with 3/4 time that began four decades ago with "Shadow Waltz" and "Valse Hot" in the Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet years. The sonorities he creates on this waltz are mesmerizing. "Remembering Tommy (Flanagan)" is a top-notch blues tribute to one of the most respected jazz pianist/composers of all time who was the pianist on the original "Saxophone Colossus" recording. Somewhere in the middle of "Nishi", is that a hip-hop beat going on? Wow, Sonny stays current! "Someday I'll Find You" is a cleverly-disguised thematic waltz giving way to 4/4 solos: note Bob Cranshaw's beautiful tone and support! "Stairway to the Stars" is pure beauty with Rollin's thick granite-like tone. All in all, this award-nominated CD is a wonderful addition to the Sonny Rollins discography that ranks with his best efforts EVER. May Sonny Rollins continue to garner awards and play with the same heat and inventiveness for years to come. Bravo, Sonny!! My Highest Recommendation. Five HUGE Stars!!

(Notes:
*This review is based on an ITunes digital download.
*Can you find the multiple humorous quotes of "Oh Susanna", among others? These quotes are a Rollins trademark and an 'in-joke' with the fans. On the 2004 Grammy-winning "This Is What I Do" CD, there were quotes from "Shimmy Like My Sister Kate", and "I'm Just Wild About Harry" from the song "Did You See Harold Vick?" The trick is to make them fit the circumstances and they do, beautifully so.)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sunshine--The Meaning of the Message, July 27, 2007

By 

Marty Nickison II (Austintown, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sonny Please (Audio CD)

Sonny Rollins has really made strides in jazz. From his work with Thelonious Monk until now, Sonny has been a key figure in the innovation of jazz (with an angle on island music). His style has always been a bridge between tropic music and classic jazz.

Now, in his 70's--the jazz patron has done something great here. He has finally molded a style that is tropic, classic, and electric. The sound of the music here is new, as it combines elements of all three styles.

Sonny has a passion in his blowing that reminds jazz patrons of his Saxophone Colossus years. He has a passionate take on Sonny Please that will blow you socks off (I wonder why they didn't let the whole take go? It fades at around 8 minutes of his solo----so what? He can go for 20...it's SONNY).

Of the work with guitarists (after the Jim Hall sessions) and with electric bass, this is my personal favorite. I'm happy to say those who like classic jazz, island jazz, African world music, Latin jazz, or 70-80 traditional jazz will all love this album.

4 stars---5 if next time, you let Sonny blow until he chokes--as every note he plays adds to the meaning of the message.