Theodore "Sonny" Rollins started playing the alto saxophone while in high school. In 1947 he began to work professionally. In more than a half century, Rollins--long working with the tenor and soprano saxes--has become one of the 20th century giants of jazz. His continued innovations as a soloist and improviser are hard to equal in the annals of America's original music.
His latest album, "Global Warming" (Milestone MCD-9280-2) shows the old master relaxed, with his tenor chops in fine form. This is the playful Rollins, working with humor and a sly sense of form that makes listening as easy as sitting on a cool creek bank while a fresh flow of water trickles south. The six originals on "Global Warming" all contain echoes of popular or blues tunes, reinterpreted by Rollins.
His backup band is superb. In his 20th album for Milestone, Rollins receives stellar support from two groups. Three cuts include pianist Stephen Scott, the delightful electric bass of Bob Cranshaw and the incredible drum work of Idris Muhammad. The remaining tunes add Clifton Anderson, whom warm trombone adds depth. Victor See Yuen works on percussion and Perry Wilson replaces Muhammad at the drums. The album was cut in January and February of this year, so it represents the present-day Rollins.
As always the unique sound of Rollins comes through, a style that can be warm, then rough, then invigorating, then positively thrilling. His solos throughout are emotional, well thought out, and simply delightful.
All that said, "Global Warming" will not enter the record books as a particularly innovative or progressive album. Rather, it's a deeply enjoyable collection, presenting 50 minutes of superbly played jazz.
At age 68, Sonny Rollins shows no signs of faltering. He will continue to be a major force in 21st century jazzdom. May he live long and prosper.
I would heartily agree with critic Douglas Payne, who wrote about "Global Warming": "(It) offers plenty of great music--some of the finest sounds Rollins has recorded in the last thirty years. The tenor great is at his peak. . ." (See Payne's entire review at allaboutjazz.com).
Playing the Classics
Arbors Records, a small label out of Clearwater, Fla., has a dynamite catalog of CDs from some of the best jazz players of the 30s, 40s, and 50s. If you'd like a taste of the Arbors catalog, you might want to pick up a copy of "Arbors Records Sampler, Vol. 1" (ARCD 19192). It's been getting constant attention on my CD player for the past couple of weeks.
The lineup ranges all over the jazz lot, from the fabulous cornet work of the masterful Ruby Braff, to some pleasant piano work by Dick Hyman, to Bob Wilbur's salute to Coleman Hawkins. Other performers on the 18 cuts include Rebecca Kilgore, Peter Ecklund, Johnny Varro's Swing 7, the Dan Barrett Quartet, clarinetist Bobby Gordon's tribute to Pee Wee Russell, and Jackie Coon on flugelhorn with a quintet for a set of relaxed swing.
One of the sampler's highlights is a new version of Bob Haggart's standard, "Big Noise from Winnetka," recorded with John Bunch on piano and Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar. Haggart's work on the bass is superior.
Arbors offers a catalog filled with choice releases. To contact the company, send e-mail to mrd@gate.net or check their Web page at arborsjazz.com
News and Gossip
TED TO TOUR -- Outdoorsman and gonzo guitarist Ted Nugent launches a 15-city tour on Aug. 6 in Los Angeles. Working with bassist Johnny G. and drummer Tommy Aldridge, Nugent plays to play his classics and preview tunes from his new album, due next year. Billboard Online reports Nugent also will have a new album by his hard-rock supergroup, Damn Yankees, during 1999. The band includes Tommy Shaw from Styx, Jack Blades of Night Ranger, and drummer Michael Cartellone.
HAIRPULLING FOR BLONDIE -- There's a fight in progress between former members of the classic rock band Blondie. Ex-Blondie members Nigel Harrison and Frank Infante have filed a lawsuit to prevent Debbie Harry, Chris Stein and Clem Burke from using the moniker Blondie for their proposed reunion plan. Harrison and Infante said the group,s partnership agreement called for unanimous accord to use the name, and they're obviously not giving it. In addition, the suit claims Harry and pals "misappropriated" $1 million over the past half-dozen years.
NO MORE TOADS -- Leader Singer Glen Phillips announced the breakup of Toad the Wet Sprocket, an alternative pop group that existed in various combinations for a dozen years. Phillips said in a statement that rancor among members of the band threatened to damage personal relationships if the band remained together. "By ending the band now we can look back on our career together with a sense of pride and pleasure." Phillips added, "Without ever being trendy, we managed to deeply touch a large number of people." The band's hits included "Fall Down" and "Something's Always Wrong." A source at Columbus Records predicted solo projects would eventually emerge from the band's members.
STILL NO. 1 -- Even without Ginger Spice, The Spice Girls have reached the top of the British charts with their latest single, "Viva Forever." Recorded prior to the redhead's abrupt departure, it's the first single to come out since the breakup. Of eight singles, seven have reached No. 1 in Britain.
OZZFEST HI-JINKS -- Columbus, Ohio, made the national rock news a year ago when angry fans ripped up parts of the Polaris amphitheater after learning that feature act Ozzy Osbourne was too ill to perform. The Ozzfest returned to Columbus last week for a less explosive performance, with 35 minors arrested for underage possession of alcohol and 20 more fans picked up on narcotics charges. Ohio has seen 864 arrests statewide at concerts so far in 1998, police reports showed.
NAUGHTY -- John Everett Otto, drummer for Limp Bizkit, was arrested at a hotel in Auburn Hills, Mich., after police responded to reports of a man with a gun. It turned out that Otto was using a BB gun to fire at cans in the parking lot. When police found a switchblade-style knife on him, Otto was busted on a misdemeanor charge. He was bailed out and made the Ozzfest show the next night in Pine Knob.
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