Two of my favorite sax players. Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane.
So, who's the best?

Why do folks love to compare shit? Why why whyyyyy?

Was listening to this the other day

I've been listening to this..

Sonny's night at the village vanguard


[Edited 7/28/06 8:00am]

Like them both, but I own more Coltrane albums.
And for this one alone I choose Coltrane:



Great compilation.

love 'em both. but even Sonny said John sent him back to the woodshed.

My personal choice is Coltrane, however I agree that it is unfair to compare....they both are artists in their own right, with their own style and flair, and their own place in the jazz genre.

Eraserhead said:

Uh, I don't know. Is Magic Johnson better than Michael Jordon? Two great cats who excelled in their forums. Not fair to compare. As far as Coltrane, who I'm very hip to, I dig him a lot. Can't say I'm as up on Sonny. I've heard a few things from him and that's it.

lester young

Eraserhead said:

Don't see how you could have had Trane if no Rollins before him, so it's a very ridiculous proposition.

i thought this was about Henry Rollins VS John Coltrane at first LOL

Tom said:

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. "CAUSE I'M A LIIIIAAAARRRRR!" Vs. "A Love Supreme"!

I say Coltrane. I love Sonny Rollins but as far as spreading the gamut of jazz (Blue Train to Ascension for example)no one has done it as well as Coltrane (no, not even Miles). Coltrane was a musical force.

To be Fair, "St. Thomas" is possibly one of Jazz' most memorable tunes and Rollins is easily my number 3 sax player, behind Ornette Coleman (Alto, but whatever). . . but I'm weird.

I forgot to mention why I like Coltrane more:

Coltrane's Music is just so soulful and moving. There is nothing else like it and there never will be again.
[Edited 7/28/06 15:07pm]

Wayne Shorter!!


Actually, I'm kidding..... Wouldn't really compare 'em, love 'em both...I can't even say I prefer one's style over the other, I love'em for what they do....





...

Here's the good news.
Sonny Rollins is still with us and has a new CD out...



...SONNY, PLEASE

It's being sold exclusively from his website: http://www.sonnyrollins.com/

Quit fussin' and jump down.

tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

paligap said:

That's kind of ironic. Prior to joining Miles' band Shorter had to endure critical and fan clamor for him as a "young Coltrane" (Trane was 7 years older). John and Wayne spent a lot of time together practising and upon his 2nd deparure Trane bequeathed the job with Miles to Shorter (at the time Miles was unawre this went down, so when Wayne told him he was available, Miles was mildly puzzled and said "I'll call you when I need a tenor". Trane left shortly thereafter to start recording for Atlantic.

theAudience said:

NEWK looks so freakin' cool wih the full gray-white beard. Here's a better pic

PFunkjazz said:

A regal presence indeed...



...


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Here's a nice feature on Sonny. My cuz Bob is interviewed also.

http://www.youtube.com/wa...%20rollins

carlcranshaw said:

Bob Cranshaw has played bass with Sonny since the early 60s.

I like em both, although I think I prefer Coltrane as a composer and I think his choice of "sidemen" (for lack of a better word) is better.

I'm a fan of both, but Coltrane edges and inches it for me.

blackguitaristz said:

Well, mr Blackguitaristz, we all know that MJ was better than Magic

And Rollins was a great influence for Coltrane, but John took it to a whole new level I guess. But Sonny is maybe the last living Sax giant and indeed, he still produces albums.

Eraserhead said:

I love that album especially Softly As In A Morning Sunrise, Sonnymoon For Two and A Night In Tunisia.

Yes indeed, those are great tracks. You can buy this double disc cd at very cheap prices nowadays. I recommend it to everyone who isn't familiar with Sonny's work.

As much as I appreciate them both, I gotta go with Coltrane.

First & most important of all , both have a unique sound which makes comparing in the sense of who's "better " useless .
I've not listened that much to Sonny , but i've heard John play and he could play every single note as clear as crystal , even at a fast level where some saxophonists can skip parts of blowing accurately , but that's a specific detail .
.
.
.
[Edited 7/30/06 3:58am]

Another regal Sonny Rollins photo from this month's Downbeat...



...where he's been named their Jazz Artist of the Year


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

I prefer Rollins!
I don't get the Pshyco bee bop style of Coltrane. Sorry