The Perfect Album (almost)

Sonny Rollins might be the most influential saxophone player in jazz. This album is one of the reasons why - join Adam and Peter as they breakdown just what makes this album so great.

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Saxophone Colossus

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[bobthechimp]

Would love if you guys did a video on SOUL STATION, Hank Mobley and Wynton Kelly are both under-appreciated; definitely one of the easiest albums to listen to and some of the most transcribable music.

[crow-dont-know]

Somehow I had never listened to Saxophone Colossus until this year, and it blew me away. I think I'd had bad experience playing "St. Thomas" in school jazz bands in my childhood, lol.

[EverettJohnson-jszw]

Junk didn’t make Bird, Bird. Bird was already Bird. Love this quote.

[nitzanravhon]

Great job guys, just discovered your channel and I'm listening it via Apple Podcast. This album 'review' format is super educational and entertaining. Keep up the good work!

[OriginalWireman]

I've never been Sonny Rollins' biggest fan - until right f*cking now. Always thought him too "precise". I now know, thanks to you two, the precision is the entire point.

[brandonbromsey]

Love this podcast and love this episode! This is one of my favorite things to do- sit around and just listen and talk about music. Brings me back to my college days.
Also, are we taking influence from The Rewatchables podcast? Some similarities with the categories and apex mountain stuff. Great work as always!

[RyanBridwell-wqbo]

Bless you all for jogging my memory! Driving around Humboldt county 2003-5 ish (?) to odd jobs, gigs, and dance classes, with the same cassette adaptor/discman setup, as well as mix tapes with tracks from the record and lots of Miles and Coltrane quintet. Thanks gentlemen!

[qwafgjolmfpjbfszxgg]

These conversations are honestly so wonderful. I really enjoy them.

[ggmusicdrums]

1984/85 while attending Berklee. Many hours of listening to the '70s twofer reissue with the green cover called 'Saxophone Colossus and More." Had an early '80s Panasonic compact stereo system in my apartment near Berklee.

[danerbland]

I first heard this album when I was 14 and it turned my entire world upside down. Absolutely massive album for any tenor player, peak Sonny Rollins!

[flober]

Thanks a lot for tackling this album that I did not listen for years. Great sound. I am amazed by Sonny’s mastery of dynamic, every note is weighted. Haute couture!

[steveloomis]

"Lloyd Bentsten"
"Are you making that name up?"

Adam's spidey sense is on high alert at the phantom T which Peter inexplicably inserts, re-inserts, and boldly emphasizes. And then, in defiance of all natural laws of English pronunciation, Peter is unfazed by actually spelling out B-E-N-T-S-E-N. Please join me in the subtle hilarity of Adam's double take at 52:36.

Underrated: Adam's professionalism at letting this go by without further comment.

[birdlives]

Love Sonny, seeing him live inspired me to move to NYC. Living legend.

[karlvanbeckum]

Yes!! I listened to this album so many times.

[i.m.takkinen]

My copy was on a cd discman and I brought it all over the place and think I may have dropped it on the floor of the bus in high school which may have done it in. I caught Sonny at a concert at Jordan Hall Boston in 96 or 07 and Espoo Finland in 98. He was masterful and had the audience in the palm of his hand at both performances. Also, agree Sonny Rollins +4 is a truly great one too.

[robintyburski]

GALA: I first heard it when I was probably around 8-9 years old, around 25 years ago. We were on holiday in La Palma (Canary Islands), we had rented a small secluded finca, it was sunny, quiet and beautiful. My dad had brought the album and we kept playing St Thomas (my dad's name is Thomas) over and over because we all loved it. The head and solos have been stuck in my head since then.

[PaulieStamets]

GREAT album, nothing more to say. As great as you guys

[Bruno-Melo]

I had forgotten how much I love this album. The first time I listened to it was during the pandemic, winter 2021, I got late to the game of jazz unfortunately, but I remember thinking that as long as we have music we’re gonna be alright. Is this as good as KOB?!? no idea. I love them both!!

[edwardjons]

I first heard this maybe thirty years ago and just didn’t get it. Then years later Rollins became the source for a lot of what I strive for on guitar. Saxophone Colossus is great, and yet not even close to being Sonny’s best playing. Still, it’s the album I’ve been waiting for you to discuss. I often joke that Rollins is my favourite guitarist. I realised recently that the players ( sax, guitar, piano) I love most all have a little Rollins in them somehow.

Blue 7 is my go to track - I listen to it maybe two or three times a month even now - always inspires something in my own playing.

Rhythm, tone, dynamics. For all the great lines and melodies Sonny played, the notes may be the least important thing.

[samuelbrown]

Saxophone Colossus is probably the Sonny album I’ve listened to in its entirety more than any other of his. His language on Moritait is absolutely flawless!