Best Sonny Rollins' Private recordings

[White Lightning]

(If it belongs to the discography forum, please move it)

Everybody say that the best way to appreciate Newk is to listen to him live or to his live recordings.

So, what private recordings of Newk do you consider his best?

Any favorite 70s, 80s and 90s Newk?

THNX!

[JSngry]

...what private recordings of Newk do you consider his best?

Denmark, 1968, bar none. "twas released on two Moon CDs.

[AllenLowe]

I would also suggest, from 1957/58 (don't have it with me now), his live recording with the MJQ - intially released on a VSP LP, and I have it on Verve CD - the one with You Are Too Beautiful, I'll Follow My Secret Heart, Doxy, etc -

[JSngry]

There's a thing on Jazz Door from a 1993 gig called Just Once that is well worth seeking out.

[MartyJazz]

I think the fall '66 Europe tour that Sonny did as the leader of a trio that had Jymie Merritt and Max Roach constitutes some of the best "private" Sonny there is. Some of it was issued on various bootleg LPs, I'm not aware of which CDs, if any. But the material does circulate among private tape collectors who are increasingly transferring such material to CD-R.

[JSngry]

Yeah, if you're talking truly private recordings as opposed to grey-market issues, that's a whole 'nother thing...

[White Lightning]

Thnaks for the info, guys.

Now, what other privare recordings (not grey market bootlegs) of Rollins in the 80s and 90s do you think is his best of that period?

[RDK]

So tell me, what's the difference between "private recordings" and "bootlegs" anyway?

[JSngry]

Thnaks for the info, guys.

Now, what other privare recordings (not grey market bootlegs) of Rollins in the 80s and 90s do you think is his best of that period?

Truthfully, every one I've heard has had much to offer. I've not catalogued those that I have (and relative to what I understand is out there, I have but a handful) by date or location, so I can't tell you what's what, just that if you have a chance to get some, carpe diem.

So tell me, what's the difference between "private recordings" and "bootlegs" anyway?

The difference between family and business associates?

[White Lightning]

So tell me, what's the difference between "private recordings" and "bootlegs" anyway?

As far as I know: Bootlegs are grey market material. Live, unauthorized recordings that were commercially available by "bootleg labels"

Private recordings are the same as bootlegs, but are not put on the market for sale. They are circulated by fans for private use only - Never for Sale!

Thnaks for the info, guys.

Now, what other privare recordings (not grey market bootlegs) of Rollins in the 80s and 90s do you think is his best of that period?

Truthfully, every one I've heard has had much to offer. I've not catalogued those that I have (and relative to what I understand is out there, I have but a handful) by date or location, so I can't tell you what's what, just that if you have a chance to get some, carpe diem.

Thanks, Jim - I'm carping as we speak...

[relyles]

Thnaks for the info, guys.

Now, what other privare recordings (not grey market bootlegs) of Rollins in the 80s and 90s do you think is his best of that period?

There really is a bunch of stuff available from this time period and IMO as Jim suggested much of it is worthwhile. Some of my personal favorites include a couple of recordings I have of performancesf from 1980 in Warsaw and Umea with this personnel - Sonny Rollins (ts), Mark Soskin (p), Jerome Harris (el-b), Al Foster (d).

[Rooster_Ties]

...what private recordings of Newk do you consider his best?

Denmark, 1968, bar none. "twas released on two Moon CDs.

Who's on these?? Haven't heard any late 60's Newk, and probably ought to one of these days. Edited November 26, 2005 by Rooster_Ties

[JSngry]

Kenny Drew, NHOP, & Albert Heath.

[DukeCity]

When that 9/11 concert was released recently, there was much made of the fact that the guy who recorded it (name escapes me) had recorded/collected tons of live Sonny, and that more material might be making its way to commercial release.

Has anyone heard any plans for more stuff to be released?

[JSngry]

When that 9/11 concert was released recently, there was much made of the fact that the guy who recorded it (name escapes me) had recorded/collected tons of live Sonny, and that more material might be making its way to commercial release.

Has anyone heard any plans for more stuff to be released?

No, but I have heard that RCA still has hours of material from the Village Gate dates that produced Our Man In Jazz safely tucked away in the vaults...

[AllenLowe]

Carl Smith, who lives up her in Maine, is the guy with all the Sonny - I haven't talked with him in some time, but apparently he's collected a lot of stuff-

[White Lightning]

Thnaks for the info, guys.

Now, what other privare recordings (not grey market bootlegs) of Rollins in the 80s and 90s do you think is his best of that period?

There really is a bunch of stuff available from this time period and IMO as Jim suggested much of it is worthwhile. Some of my personal favorites include a couple of recordings I have of performancesf from 1980 in Warsaw and Umea with this personnel - Sonny Rollins (ts), Mark Soskin (p), Jerome Harris (el-b), Al Foster (d).

The Warsaw tapes are a favorite of mine, too. 10 thumbs up

[Alexander Hawkins]

When that 9/11 concert was released recently, there was much made of the fact that the guy who recorded it (name escapes me) had recorded/collected tons of live Sonny, and that more material might be making its way to commercial release.

Has anyone heard any plans for more stuff to be released?

No, but I have heard that RCA still has hours of material from the Village Gate dates that produced Our Man In Jazz safely tucked away in the vaults...

I think with a bit of organisation, we could storm the place

[John L]

When that 9/11 concert was released recently, there was much made of the fact that the guy who recorded it (name escapes me) had recorded/collected tons of live Sonny, and that more material might be making its way to commercial release.

Has anyone heard any plans for more stuff to be released?

No, but I have heard that RCA still has hours of material from the Village Gate dates that produced Our Man In Jazz safely tucked away in the vaults...

I hope those vaults are really fireproof, because otherwise they will burn.