Description
Of the importance of jazz tradition, Rollins has said “I have a lot of respect for the art, you know, and for the tradition. Jazz is a thing that is only built upon what has happened before. It doesn’t begin with any one guy. The greatest anybody can be is just as great as what has come before, and to be great you have to be steeped in what has happened.”
AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow
The last of the classic Sonny Rollins albums prior to his unexpected three-year retirement features the great tenor with pianist Hampton Hawes, guitarist Barney Kessel, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and drummer Shelly Manne (all bandleaders for Contemporary Records during this era) on an unusual but inspired list of standards. Rollins creates explorative and often witty improvisations on such songs as “Rock-A-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody,” “You,” “In the Chapel in the Moonlight,” and roaring versions of “I’ve Found a New Baby” and “The Song Is You.” Great music.
2. Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody
3. How High The Moon
4. You
2. Alone Together
3. In The Chapel In The Moonlight
4. The Song Is You