Sonny Rollins - Tenor Madness (Mono, Analogue Productions)
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Sonny Rollins, tenor sax [click here to see more vinyl featuring Sonny Rollins]
John Coltrane, tenor sax (A1) [click here to see more vinyl featuring John Coltrane]
"Philly" Joe Jones, drums [click here to see more vinyl featuring Philly Joe Jones]
Red Garland, piano [click here to see more vinyl featuring Red Garland]
Paul Chambers, bass [click here to see more vinyl featuring Paul Chambers]
1LP, Deluxe high-gloss tip-on album jacket
Limited edition
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180gr
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Mono
Studio
Record Press : Quality Record Pressings
Label : Analogue Productions
Original Label : Prestige
Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey by Rudy Van Gelder on May 24, 1956
Remastered by Kevin Gray
Produced by Bob Weinstock
Tracks :
- My Reverie
- Paul's Pal
3. Tenor Madness
« At a time when he was a member of the legendary Clifford Brown/Max Roach sextet, Sonny Rollins was still the apple fallen not too far from the tree of Miles Davis. Tenor Madness was the recording that, once and for all, established Newk as one of the premier tenor saxophonists, an accolade that in retrospect, has continued through six full decades and gives an indication why a young Rollins was so well liked, as his fluency, whimsical nature, and solid construct of melodies and solos gave him the title of the next Coleman Hawkins or Lester Young of mainstream jazz. With the team of pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Philly Joe Jones, staples of that era's Miles Davis combos, Rollins has all the rhythmic ammunition to cut loose, be free, and extrapolate on themes as only he could, and still can. This is most evident on his version of "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World," started in its normal choppy waltz time, followed by a sax/drums prelude, a drum solo from Jones, and steamed from there on in, a hot 4/4 romp. Garland is particularly outstanding for keeping up the pace, depth and placement on this one. A bluesy version of "When Your Lover Has Gone," again enlivened by Jones, and the legendary title track with Rollins and John Coltrane trading long solos, and fours with Jones, are tunes that in the mid-'50s defined the parlance "blowing session." "Paul's Pal," in tribute to Chambers, has become a standard in its own right with a bright, memorable melody showing the good humor of Rollins, especially on the second time through, while the saxophonist's ability to sing vocal like tones through his horn is no better evinced as during the light ballad "My Reverie." A recording that should stand proudly alongside Saxophone Colossus as some of the best work of Sonny Rollins in his early years, it's also a testament to the validity, vibrancy, and depth of modern jazz in the post-World War era. It belongs on everybody's shelf. » AllMusic Review by Michael G. Nastos
"Coltrane's fearlessness is front and center as he takes the first solo, firing flurries and fusillades from the high end of his tenor sax. He is definitely on his game for the time. He's a willing teammate as he trades fours with Rollins on an ending dialogue where the two players happily finish each other's thoughts... Rollins shows his romantic-ballad side on 'When Your Lover Has Gone' and 'My Reverie', gets playful on 'Paul's Pal' (his tribute to bassist Paul Chambers), and upends Rodgers and Hart's 'The Most Beautiful Girl In The World' when he switches mid-stream from a waltz to a fast 4/4... It's a given that John Coltrane was a miraculous player; his cameo here shows how far he went to become that way." J. Hunter, All About Jazz
Tenor Madness was the recording that, once and for all, established Rollins as one of the premier tenor saxophonists, an accolade that in retrospect, has continued through six full decades and gives an indication why as a young player, Rollins was so well liked, as his fluency, whimsical nature, and solid construct of melodies and solos gave him the title of the next Coleman Hawkins or Lester Young of mainstream jazz.
Tenor Madness, using Miles Davis’ group – pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Philly Joe Jones, is the only recording of Rollins with John Coltrane, who was also in Davis’ group.
Rollins and John Coltrane met in 1956 and went on to largely define the state of jazz tenor saxophone in the mid-Fifties. Their playing set a standard that has been a benchmark of excellence for saxophonists—and others—ever since. By the time this LP was released, Rollins already had such albums to his name as Worktime and Sonny Rollins Plus 4 in addition to his sideman exploits with the Clifford Brown/Max Roach Quintet.
As well as the celebrated title track, Tenor Madness includes an intriguing original, "Paul’s Pal," and the mining of unusual material such as "My Reverie," and "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World."