The Lonely Goatherd

Because of his fondness for transforming cheesy show tunes I felt sure that Sonny Rollins must have played The Lonely Goatherd at some time, especially with that goatee. It would have been right at home on his What’s New album. I can almost hear it. His lyrical saxophone singing the melody, then deconstructing it with one of his abstract solos over a rhythm of congas and bongos. But I can’t find a recording anywhere. We’ll have to imagine it, and make do with this version by Eddie Cano. Continue reading “The Lonely Goatherd”

Frames of reference

Don’t Stop The Carnival

On Friday 17 February at 9 pm BBC Four are broadcasting Beyond The Notes, a film by Dick Fontaine which is centred on the 80th Birthday Concert for Sonny Rollins at New York’s Beacon Theatre in September 2010. There are guest appearances from Jim Hall, Roy Haynes and Ornette Coleman. Continue reading “Don’t Stop The Carnival”

Frames of reference