Sonny Rollins’ Classic ‘Way Out West’ Gets International 2LP Reissue

Sonny Rollins’ classic album Way Out West, is receiving a special international double-disc vinyl reissue.

The legendary album’s new deluxe vinyl edition has been prepared in celebration of one of the most iconic and enduring records known to jazz. 2017 saw the 60th anniversary of the original recording session from 1957, while 2018 sees the 60th anniversary of the first stereo release of the album.

The landmark Way Out West, alongside Saxophone Colossus, cements Sonny Rollins status as one of the top tenor saxophonists of all-time. This meticulously compiled package pays appropriate tribute to the importance of the landmark recording with an audiophile-quality pressing of the original album and a second LP of bonus material featuring rare and previously unreleased tracks from the legendary 3 A.M. session with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Shelly Manne.

Both records have been pressed at Quality Record Pressings (QRP) on 180g vinyl from lacquers cut by George Horn at Fantasy Studios. Grammy-Award-winning writer Neil Tesser contributes liner notes, which include excerpts from a recent interview he conducted with Sonny Rollins especially for this double-disc release. Rare photos by famed jazz photographer William Claxton round out the collection, which comes housed in a handsome, hinged box.

The new vinyl edition of Way Out West‘s full tracklisting is as follows.

Disc One – Original Way Out West Album:
Side A:
‘I’m an Old Cowhand’
‘Solitude’
‘Come, Gone’
Side B:
‘Wagon Wheels’
‘There Is No Greater Love’
‘Way Out West’

Disc Two: Bonus Tracks from the Way Out West Recording Session:
Side A:
‘Monologue: You Gotta Dig The Lyrics’ (previously unreleased)
‘I’m An Old Cowhand’ (alternate version)
‘Dialogue: Titling ‘Come, Gone’ (previously unreleased)
Come, Gone (alternate version)
Side B:
‘There Is No Greater Love’ (alternate version, previously unreleased)
‘Way Out West’ (take 1, previously unreleased)
‘Way Out West’ (alternate version)