The Armpit Collection XXXI: Go West

Update:

I was just browsing back over the old Armpit posts, had to spruce up a few images, touch up some tagging, tend the garden. It'll be a couple of years this coming August and I've only dished out 61 records so far (and a couple of abstracts). In my mind, I could easily tuck this many records under my arms if need be. More. There will be more. Since beginning this series, I've delved heavily into guys like Art Blakey's catalog, Tom Waits periods, Miles Davis bands, other wild cards that will all make an appearance. Not too mention the extensive back tracking I need to do, like where's Tom Petty? Where the fuck is Tom Petty? GH's or Wildflowers? If you have any "Where the fuck is _______ suggestions for the Armpit Collection, please comment. Let us open a dialog.



I can't believe I've left this record out. This was the first Sonny Rollins record I purchased. Picked it up in Montreal. When you see a record with a cover image like that... After having heard and explored Sonny's work, this is my favorite record of his. Previous posts (XVII & XXII) may speak to some of his other work, and I still think The Bridge is his best record, but this remains my favorite. Trio format, Sonny saddled with the cool rhythm section Ray Brown and Shelly Manne (who I realized last night went on to record a few records with Tom Waits nearly 20 years after this release). Sonny does very well pianoless, which if you can imagine drums, bass, and saxophone, you get the idea that "no one" is playing chords. Sonny's romantic tinges and disciplined playfulness lend itself very well to this format, especially given thematic material like Way Out West. This is like jazz horse-ridin' music, which any ol' Swaggard can swagger to.