Sonny Rollins, "+3" (Milestone)

[Bol]

I was wondering what people thought of this recording. Been getting more into Rollins recordings from 1950s lately, and I thought I should give a more recent recording a try. This one seems most likely to resemble his earlier recordings -- in terms of both music selection and lineup. Have some qualms about the electric bass, but perhaps it won't be too glaring or intrusive.

I don't know why the 1950s Rollins recordings did not "work" for me before. Now they seem fantastic. His sound is so much more compelling than other tenor sax players.

Edited November 17, 2006 by Bol

[GA Russell]

I've never heard +3; it's one of those I've been meaning to get around to. I have noticed that of all of Sonny's Milestones records of the 25 years before Silver City was released, it has received the most favorable comments. Often the comment was to say that it is the only one of that period worth getting.

[JSngry]

Damn fine album. One or two lulls, but immensely more peaks.

Just don't expect Sonny to sound like he did in the 50s, 60s, or 70s.

[relyles]

One of my favorites among the more recent Rollins recordings.

[sal]

I think its a good enough disc, but make sure you have all his great recordings from the 50s and 60s first. Those are light years ahead of his newer stuff.

[gnhrtg]

It's a good album you can do without. This and Without a Song. The 9/11 Concert (which I just picked up yesterday) are the only Rollins albums I have from the last 10-15 years so though unexceptional on its own it might indeed be one of the better albums of recent vintage.

[JSngry]

Is there anybody else who could have made this record?

No.

[Guy Berger]

Is there anybody else who could have made this record?

I did. It was actually me, not Sonny, on saxophone. In fact, I played all the instruments. (But not simultaneously. I'm not THAT good.)

Guy

[gnhrtg]

I forgot to say that I like his choice of standards on this one and am fond of the way he renders the melodies (the tone and nuances therein more than anything else).

Edited November 21, 2006 by gnhrtg

[Bol]

I got this one. I really like it. There is not that sense of anything-can-happen as there is in his early recordings. But still a very fine album. But for the life of me, I don't know why he prefers an electric bass to a real one. The plucking sound of a standup bass is one of the best sounds of jazz.

[danasgoodstuff]

Great album, not merely good or even very good, unfortunately the fact that it's by the same guy who did Saxophone Collosus somehow keeps many people from hearing how great it is.

[dosjam]

I'll vouch for it. Another great album. Cut #2 (I think it's an original called "Biji") regularly pops into my head. Love that melody. I have a lot of Sonny and this is the one I play most often.