Without a Song: The 9/11 Concert

Sonny Rollins | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 30, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Milestone
• ASIN: B000A7DVNQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #127,056 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Welcome Return for the Master, September 5, 2005

By 

M. Murphy (birmingham, alabama United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Without a Song: The 9/11 Concert (Audio CD)

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.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can Sonny still kick it ?? You Bet !!!, September 26, 2005

By 

R. J. Marsella (California) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Without a Song: The 9/11 Concert (Audio CD)

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome live album that shows off Rollins' maturity as a great improviser, September 6, 2005

By 

J.S. (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Without a Song: The 9/11 Concert (Audio CD)

Track 1: "Without A Song" - Awesome opener, one of Sonny's favorite songs that really shines, both during the melody and solos. The band is tight, everyone playing wonderfully. The only mildly negative part is the Trombone during the melody, which I found slightly annoying until I got used to it. Stephen Scott, on piano, has amazing capability, as he moves around the piano with ease, the entire time singing along with his own playing. This is humorous at first, but it draws you in as you listen more, as you start to realize how focused and involved in the music he and the rest of the band are.

Track 2: "Global Warming" - The only song on the album composed by Sonny, also the only Calypso. Very good song, although I didn't enjoy it as much as "Without A Song" or "Why Was I Born?".

Track 4: "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" - The only ballad on the album, it moves along and doesn't feel as slow as other ballads. Very strong playing by Sonny and the rest of the band.

Track 5: "Why Was I Born?" - My favorite song on the album, the opening to this song is improvised by Sonny, and the band enters on the melody perfectly, with perfect synchronization. Awesome song, along with equally impressive soloing by Sonny and Stephen Scott.

Track 6: "Where or When" - Very good closer to this album. Strong playing by everyone, as well as impressive soloing by Clifton Anderson and Sonny.

Overall, this is an excellent album. At first I was slightly dissapointed by the audio quality, it still seems a little muddled to me, but I don't notice it anymore unless I think about it, and it doesn't harm the quality of the performance, just leaves more to be desired from the technology. It feels like the bass is too powerful and the treble is too weak, but they may have done this to bring out the trombone. Still a very good album that I would recommend to any Sonny Rollins' fans, jazz fans, and any music fans.