Sonny Rollins – The Complete Prestige Recordings [7 CD, 1992]

 This seven-CD box set lives up to its title, reissuing in chronological order all of tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins' recordings for Prestige. Dating mostly from 1951-1956, these valuable performances find Rollins developing from a promising player to a potential giant; many of his best recordings would take place a year or two after this program ends. In addition to his own sessions, Rollins is featured with trombonist J.J. Johnson, on four dates with Miles Davis, and on sessions led by Thelonious Monk and trumpeter Art Farmer. Among the other musicians participating are trumpeters Kenny Dorham and Clifford Brown; pianists John Lewis, Kenny Drew, Horace Silver, Elmo Hope, Ray Bryant, Red Garland, and Tommy Flanagan; drummers Max Roach, Roy Haynes, Art Blakey, and Philly Joe Jones; the Modern Jazz Quartet; Julius Watkins on French horn; altoist Jackie McLean; and even Charlie Parker. Among the many highlights are the original versions of Rollins' compositions "Airegin," "Oleo," "Doxy," "St. Thomas," and "Blue 7," and his one recorded meeting with John Coltrane ("Tenor Madness"). Essential music that is treated as it should be.  

CD 1

01. Elysee (3:09)

02. Opus (2:41)

03. Hilo (2:45)

04. Fox Hunt (2:47)

05. Morpheus (2:23)

06. Down (2:52)

07. Blue Room (3:00)

08. Whispering (3:03)

09. I Know (2:33)

10. Conception (4:03)

11. Out Of The Blue (6:17)

12. Denial (5:41)

13. Bluing (9:56)

14. Dig (7:36)

15. My Old Flame (6:34)

16. It's Only A Paper Moon (5:23)

CD 2

01. Time On My Hands (2:42)

02. Mambo Bounce (2:23)

03. This Love of Mine (2:26)

04. Shadrack (2:34)

05. On a Slow Boat to China (2:41)

06. With a Song in My Heart (3:08)

07. Scoops (2:15)

08. Newk's Fadeaway (3:13)

09. Compulsion (5:44)

10. The Serpent's Tooth (Take 1) (7:02)

11. The Serpent's Tooth (Take 2) (6:18)

12. Round About Midnight (7:07)

13. In a Sentimental Mood (3:19)

14. The Stopper (2:58)

15. Almost Like Being in Love (3:25)

16. No Moe (3:31)

17. Think of One (Take 1) (5:39)

18. Think of One (Take 2) (5:43)

CD 3

01. Let's Call This (5:06)

02. Friday The 13th (10:34)

03. Soft Shoe (5:01)

04. Confab In Tempo (3:56)

05. I'll Take Romance (4:59)

06. Airegin (5:00)

07. Oleo (5:13)

08. But Not For Me [take 1] (5:44)

09. But Not For Me [take 2] (4:36)

10. Doxy (4:54)

11. Movin' Out (4:30)

12. Swingin' For Bumsy (5:47)

13. Silk 'n' Satin (4:00)

14. Solid (6:25)

CD 4

01. I Want To Be Happy (7:43)

02. The Way You Look Tonight (5:13)

03. More Than You Know (10:50)

04. There's No Business Like Show Business (6:19)

05. Paradox (4:57)

06. Raincheck (6:00)

07. There Are Such Things (9:28)

08. It's All Right With Me (6:08)

09. In Your Own Sweet Way (4:37)

10. No Line (5:40)

11. Vierd Blues (6:51)

CD 5

01. I Feel A Song Coming On (5:15)

02. Pent-Up House (8:54)

03. Valse Hot (8:38)

04. Kiss And Run (7:09)

05. Count Your Blessings (2:30)

06. My Reverie (6:08)

07. The Most Beautiful Girl In The World (5:35)

08. Paul's Pal (5:12)

09. When Your Lover Has Gone (6:12)

10. Tenor Madness (12:15)

CD 6

01. You Don't Know What Love Is (6:30)

02. St. Thomas (6:47)

03. Strode Rode (5:15)

04. Blue 7 (11:18)

05. Moritat (10:04)

06. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face (4:54)

07. Kids Know (11:39)

08. The House I Live In (9:22)

CD 7

02. B. Swift (5:17)

03. My Ideal (4:22)

04. Sonny Boy (9:49)

05. Two Different Worlds (7:40)

06. EE-AH (6:55)

07. B. Quick (9:11)