Sonny Rollins / NY, USA – March 14, 1972 (Complete Remastered)

Sonny Rollins—universally acclaimed as the world’s greatest improviser and hailed by Miles Davis as a saxophonist on the same level as “Bird” (Charlie Parker)—delivers a powerhouse performance at New York’s prestigious Village Vanguard, a haunt for true connoisseurs. This new two-disc set captures two complete sets from that night in superb, high-fidelity sound, documenting a spirited, dynamic exchange between the artist and the audience. These rare 1972 live recordings have previously been unavailable to the public. The setting is the Village Vanguard in New York—a venue where the audience consists of discerning listeners who rival critics, offering thunderous applause for great playing while mercilessly booing the subpar. This release features the full two-and-a-half-hour performance (both the first and second sets from March 14, 1972), meticulously mastered by the label to provide an immersive, front-row listening experience. It is truly the ultimate Rollins release! The quartet features a lineup of highly skilled musicians favored by aficionados: Albert Dailey (piano), Larry Ridley (bass), and David Lee (drums)—with Rollins, of course, as the sole horn player. Rollins is in high spirits throughout the day, delivering a succession of magnificent performances. His robust, powerful tenor sax—the kind that makes you slap your knee in admiration—resounds like a torrent. He unleashes a barrage of improvisations, frequently exceeding ten minutes in length; the sheer intensity of his blowing is mind-blowing, guaranteeing goosebumps as you listen in awe. He is absolutely unstoppable! You can fully immerse yourself in Rollins’s improvisational genius. The audience is also wonderful, interjecting with perfectly timed responses without being intimidated by Rollins’s commanding presence. You can really feel the excitement—it’s as if you’re part of the performance itself! The 20-minute rendition of “St. Thomas” in the second set is a real knockout. By the late 1950s—when Rollins was making his mark—the jazz world was shifting toward high-speed, complex playing led by figures like Coltrane; in contrast, Rollins’s music was accessible, infused with elements like calypso, and full of humor and warmth. It was music with a truly lyrical soul. Yet, once the performance began, he delivered a succession of playing that stunned listeners with its sheer, overwhelming intensity. Recorded Live at Village Vanguard, New York City, NY, March 14, 1972 (Audience Recording, EX quality) *** 147 min. DISC 1 /// First Set: SONNYMOON FOR TWO, HOLD ‘EM JOE, IT’S EASY TO REMEMBER, SAX CADENZA / MORITAT / ST. THOMAS, THREE LITTLE WORDS. DISC 2 /// Second Set: EVERYTHING HAPPENS TO ME (Part 2), STRAIGHT NO CHASER, IN A SENTIMENTAL MOOD, ST. THOMAS, THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE. Sonny Rollins – tenor saxophone; Albert Dailey – piano; Larry Ridley – double bass; David Lee – drums.