Open Sky--Sonny Rollins bio

[BlueMiles]

I'm about halfway through Eric Nisenson's book on Sonny. I had previously read the author's "Blue" and discussed it here at JC. I agree that Nisenson has perhaps too many shortcomings as a writer, though I find him hard to avoid since he writes about so many of my favorite artists.

Given Sonny's humble and shy nature, it's surprising how much he contribues to the book. There are a lot of long quotations from him, and naturally these tend to be quite interesting. I'm amazed at how he considers "Saxophone Colossus" as pretty much another record date!

The book is OK, but I'm surprised there are no photos--and even more surprised there's no discography.

[Richardo Caerleoni]

BlueM...I haven't read this yet but was really looking forward to it...I've heard interviews with Sonny where he was totally honest about his (early 50s) past...not always pleasant...but he came through it.

Will still buy the book.

RC.

[BlueMiles]

Yeah, I was surprised that Sonny was that deeply into drugs...even more surprised that he spent some time in prison.

Not a bad book, but every time Nisenson goes into a musical analysis (often 4-5 times per chapter), he inevitably uses the word "idiosyncratic."

[Pete C]

Given Sonny's humble and shy nature, it's surprising how much he contribues to the book.
But from the little I've seen of him in interviews, he seems to have a reflective/intellectual bent.

[BlueMiles]

The quotes from Sonny in the book offer a lot. It's great to get his own words on "Freedom Suite," his first retirement and playing on the Williamsburg Bridge, his connections to Ornette and Don Cherry, his period with Jim Hall in the band, etc.