Sonny Rollins - 1962 [1996] "The Bridge"

The Bridge is a studio album by jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins, recorded in 1962. It was Rollins' first release following a three-year sabbatical and was his first album for RCA Victor. The saxophonist was joined by the musicians with whom he recorded for the next segment of his career: Jim Hall on guitar, Bob Cranshaw on double bass and Ben Riley on drums.

After a meteoric rise to fame in the 1950s, legendary tenor sax man Sonny Rollins had walked away from it all by the decade's end, embarking on an introspective, almost monastic three-year quest to improve his technique, during which time he would spend up to 16 hours a day playing his sax, alone, on New York City's Williamsburg bridge, and that solitary period of time spent practicing on the bridge is what gives this album its title. Although critical reception to the album was initially mixed, as many had hoped Rollins would have re-emerged from his sabbatical having developed some revolutionary new technique or with a markedly evolved style that differed more strongly from his earlier work, it was nonetheless a commercial success, and has since become regarded as one of his finest albums, even being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015. Featuring Rollins in a new quartet that also included Jim Hall on guitar, Bob Cranshaw on bass and Ben Riley on the drums, the album has a spare, subdued sound, which might be why the ballads are generally more evocative and memorable than the uptempo numbers, with Rollins' haunting take on the standard "God Bless the Child" being my pick for the standout track, as well as the one that probably best reflects what it must have been like to spend all that time playing alone on that bridge.

Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins' first recording after ending a surprising three-year retirement found the great saxophonist sounding very similar to how he had played in 1959, although he would soon start investigating freer forms. In a pianoless quartet with guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Ben Riley, Rollins explores four standards (including "Without a Song" and "God Bless the Child") plus two fiery originals, highlighted by the title cut. The interplay between Rollins and Hall is consistently impressive, making this set a near-classic and a very successful comeback.

Sparse yet thoughful; carefree yet deliberate. Sonny's tone is in fine form: Typically powerful and muscular, and at the same time full of beauty and complexity. This album for me is a perfect example of why he ranks with Coltrane: The talent, the dedication, the forever-seeking, and the fearlessness are all on 'The Bridge'. Highly recommended for historical reference and listening pleasure.

So many times you hear about the "essential albums in jazz:" "Kind of Blue" "Blue Trane" "Time Out" "Giant Steps" ect. One absolute essential that you don't hear about very often is Bridge by Sonny Rollins. This is most unfortunate because not only is the musicianship on this recording incredible, but this album also made a leap forward in the history of jazz.

Make no mistake, Sonny Rollins is an incredible player. His tenor saxophone cuts through with that boomy, rich tone that all jazz adicts love. His solos are great, well-developed and exciting. His writing on some of the tunes on this album is quite innovative and groundbreaking. Everything that Sonny does on this disc is incredible and deeply satisfies the lovers of jazz who hear it. However, there are two words that can be used to describe what makes this album stick out from all the other jazz albums of this time period: "Jim Hall."

Jim Hall's Guitar work on this recording is very important to what makes this disc worthwhile and distinguished. He essentially fills the job description of a pianist on the guitar. The result: jazz guitar like never before. This was one of the first jazz quartets to use a guitar in place of a piano and the effects are quite satisfying. Every little nuance that Hall adds to the music complements Rollins' genius quite nicely. The chemistry is quite incredible. Each of the musicians are so into each other's heads that they produce music that is so exciting and so fresh to even the untrained ear. Basically this entire album is two geniuses collaborating to make unbelivable, quality jazz in the presence of a very solid bass player and drummer.

The album is a must have for any jazz completist. It's a nice mix of good old standards and fresh innovative originals from Sonny that makes for a very fun listening experience. Incredible musicianship is the product of the incredible chemistry on this album. Break off from the collective. Recognize the historical importance of Bridge. It will provide a pleasant listening experience time after time.

The album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015.

Track listing:

"Without a Song" (Edward Eliscu, Billy Rose, Vincent Youmans) – 7:26
"Where Are You?" (Harold Adamson, Jimmy McHugh) – 5:10
"John S." (Sonny Rollins) – 7:46
"The Bridge" (Sonny Rollins) – 5:59
"God Bless the Child" (Arthur Herzog Jr., Billie Holiday) – 7:27
"You Do Something to Me" (Cole Porter) – 6:51

Personnel:

Sonny Rollins – tenor saxophone
Jim Hall – guitar
Bob Cranshaw – bass
Ben Riley – drums
Harry "H.T." Saunders – drums (replaces Riley on "God Bless the Child")