I’m an Old Cowhand (Sonny Rollins’s version)

Sonny Rollins (tenor sax), Ray Brown (bass) and Shelly Manne (drums). From the album Way Out West (1957).

In this album, Rollins was the first saxophonist to use only the double bass and the drums as accompaniment for his solos, without the piano and its chords. This technique is called “strolling” and this trio acts in an intimate and determined way. Way Out West was given this name because it contains country songs such as “Wagon Wheels” and “I’m an Old Cowhand”.

The photo on the cover with Rollins holding a saxophone instead of a gun was his own idea to celebrate his first trip to the western United States. Jazz critic Scott Yanow wrote: “The timeless Way out West established Sonny Rollins as jazz’s top tenor saxophonist (at least until John Coltrane surpassed him the following year). Joined by bassist Ray Brown and drummer Shelly Manne, Rollins is heard at one of his peaks.”

The theme begins with Manne imitating the footsteps of a horse with the drums and Rollins entering with Brown to expose the theme. He says he is an old cowboy from the Rio Grande, that his legs are not bowed, his cheeks are not tanned, and he has never seen a cow. Then he starts his solo at medium tempo in a serene way without jumping. His speech is coherent and balanced. Brown then performs his solo with soft phrases accompanied by Manne, who appears playing the drums with sure and certain strokes. At the end, Rollins comes back with his horse to re-expose the theme.