Way Out West

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Way Out West was recorded in Los Angeles in 1957, the first time on the West Coast for Sonny Rollins, a New Yorker. He played with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Shelly Manne, with whom he had never played before. It was his first album with only bass and drums, without a pianist or guitarist playing chords. According to producer Lester Koenig, the recording began at three o'clock in the morning, because the schedules were full. At seven o'clock, after four hours of concentrated work and with half of the album on tape, the saxophonist said that only now was he really getting into his stride.

The title has several meanings. The record was made in the West, with musicians from West Coast jazz, and contains songs from country music, such as I'm an Old Cowhand and Wagon Wheels. On the cover he stands in a cowboy hat with a holster, an idea of his own, photographed by William Claxton. AllMusic calls it one of his high points.

Listening

Track list

1. 1I'm an Old Cowhand5:43Apple Music ↗
2. 2Solitude7:52Apple Music ↗
3. 3Come, Gone7:54Apple Music ↗
4. 4Wagon Wheels10:13Apple Music ↗
5. 5There Is No Greater Love5:17Apple Music ↗
6. 6Way Out West6:29Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗