Wagon Wheels is a song from the early 1930s and was used in the 1934 film of the same name. It's appropriate that it was included in this album, the first time Sonny Rollins had gone 'out west'. The March 1957 sessions took place in the Contemporary Records studio in Los Angeles, and the wild west theme was cemented in the cover shot of Rollins, in cowboy gear, brandishing his tenor rather than a rifle - his idea apparently.
Joining Rollins on tenor was Ray Brown on bass, and Shelly Manne on drums. No piano or guitar was present to provide the "harmony". With such a pared down instrumentation there's nowhere to hide, and more freedom to improvise. This was Rollins first time "strolling" with just a bass/drums rhythm section, and the 3am session for the first half of the album was scheduled because of the musicians other commitments.
Wagon Wheels starts and ends with the clip-clop of horses' hooves, and a loping melody provides Rollins with the perfect starting point for improvisation.
Way Out West established Sonny Rollins as one of the top tenor players of his generation.
Cartridge: Ortofon Synergy GM SPU
Phono amp: Graham Slee Accession + Elevator EXP
Turntable: PTP Audio Solid12 + SME M2-12-r tonearm
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