St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1958-01-17
The Week In Records
BY ALBERT ANDERSON
Post Holiday Entries

designed 70 inject new thought and
create new interest.
Typical Of this are two worked
by Riverside, featuring the inimit-
able piano virtuose. Thelonius
Monk, and brilliant, young tenor
sax artist Sonny Rollins Both
LIPS, the waxings are Brilliant
Corners: Thelonius Monk" and
The Sound Of Sonny Rollins"
Brilliant Corners" is the Monks
third growing for Riverside, and
a delightfully."- interesting one it
II. Music on the platter fits the
title, but unmistakably in the
Monk fashion. II features the in
ventive pianist at work on five Off
standard selections, and one stand
ard, wich Thelonius incorporated
as a change Of pace" The al
bum also cast Monk in fast mus
ical company, with such outstand-
ing jazzmen as Ernie Henry, Roll
Inns, Oscar Pettiford, and Max
Roach sitting in on the set.
The music is challenging, pro-
vocative and a bit weird, as is
typically Monk. But here, too, is
as fine a study of inventiveness as
one can hope for. In fact, three
Of the numbers, Brilliant Corn
ers," and 'Pa-lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-
are, on Side One, and Pannonica,
on Side Two, were penned by the
Monk himself. The other two, Il
Surrender, Dear" and Bemsha
Swing" are featured on the flip
side. And throughout the set,
Theolonius improvises and creates
steadily playing, in other words,
the way he feels. This is a fine
set, and those who complain that
they don't dig the Monk" should
listen closely to it. They'll get the
message.
Rollins Brilliant On New Recording
on the other Riverside album,
Sonny Rollins shows why he is
considered the most fast-rising
Of the young saxmen. The strong
toned tenor sax star runs through
a fine session on THE Sound of
Sonny Rollins" However, one can
not say that on the platter Rol-
Inns sounds solely like himself.
At times, he sounds like the old
master, Coleman Hawkins, at
others, a bit like the Bird" Park
err, and on occasion, like Lester
Young. But on one number spec
ifically Sonny shows individuality,
fine wit, and musicianship. This is
a thing called foot loot Tootsie, 4"
on which he really takes off. This
album will sell, there is no doubt
about It, II is slanted directly to
the solid modern jazz crowd.
Bethlehem Records Features
"Cleanhead" Vinson
A few years back during the post
World War III days, a young saxo-
phonist named Eddie Vinson in
troduced a new innovation. As a
member Of Cootie Williams band
Vinson shaved his head and began
singing low-down, groovey blues
about exotic love. One of the
numbers in his repertoire was q
bouncy thing called Cherry Red.
With It, Vinson scored an immedi,
ate hit and rocketed to fame a.
one Of the nations top blues sing
ers.
Today, Vinson. after being out
Of focus for several years, Il
back in the groove as a recording
star. His latest: A thing Gale,
"Cleanhead's Back in Town" il
which is featured several Of hi
favorite blues. The top selection
OF course, is Cherry Red" an,
Vinson sings and plays it with tn
same intimacy and vigor Of pas
years. other selections on the al
bum are Kidney Stew" Caledonia,
and Tt Amt Necessarily So" !
very interesting album.
Prestige Features sax Set
| Prestige Records has Just re
leased a new disc called Alt
Madness" that should delight. !
sort Of batue-of-the-horns, the Sc
features Jackie Mclean and job
Jenkins. two exciting alto sax
/ iphonists, in a jam session that i
solid. Plenty Of finger works. i'm
/ provision and deep-threated phras
{ ing. It's OK.
Decca Also Scores
Those who relish mood musi
will find a delightful treat in
new waxing by Decca called "Sy
via Syms Sings Songs Of Love
, The disc. ideal for after hour
features Miss Syms singing sele,
p tons which range from the strct
~ moody such as Can't We Z
Friends" and Hands Across n
Table" 70 more fhghty rendition
as Dancing in the Dark" an
When a Woman Loves a Man
Music is provided by an orchestr
conducted by Ralph Burns,