Alone in San Francisco

Amazon.com essential recording
Thelonious Monk was a brilliant improviser, using his incredible rhythmic sense and his harmonic ingenuity to find new possibilities in his own works or standards while touching on the wellsprings of the blues and early jazz piano styles. Those gifts were never more apparent than in his whimsical and inspired solo performances, like this one from 1959. In addition to the usual fare, Monk could always reach into a treasure trove of pop songs others had forgotten. Here he makes original music out of the ancient and ephemeral "There's Danger in Your Eyes, Cherie," and he manages to do it on two separate takes. --Stuart Broomer

Alone in San Francisco,Thelonious Monk,Ojc,Jazz,Pop

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Average customer rating: Reissue of a much-praised MTT debut The best available version of this music, hands down. Fantastic

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music San Francisco Symphony Orchestra | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music San Francisco Symphony Orchestra | ( S ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue; Concerto in F; An American in Paris Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 Copland: Rodeo/Billy The Kid Prokofiev: The Five Piano Concertos ASIN: B0001TSWNW Release Date: 2004-04-20

Customer Reviews:

Reissue of a much-praised MTT debut.......2006-06-26

At 78 min., this is much more generous than other collections that pair Prokofiev's two Suites from Romeo and Juliet. The angry reviewer below is mistaken to accuse Tilson Thomas of composing any transitions of his own devising--he only placed portions of the ballet in dramatic sequence (Prokofiev's suites are in no particular order). This was MTT's first recording with RCA as music director in San Francisco, and when it was released in 1996, the U.S. reviews were rapturous.

Not so the British. The Gramophone grumbled about 'slick efficiency' and 'stickiness.' I think that's not true. The only problems that keep this recording from the highest rank, as far as my ears tell me, are first, the recorded sound. Though wide-ranging and dynamic, the original release tended to be coarse and thuddy (I don't own the reissue at mid-price, but perhaps something has been done to correct this).

The second and more important reservation isn't MTT's fault. Great conductors have already preceded him. Ancerl, Mravinsky, and Mitropoulos are among the old maestros who made outstanding versions of excerpts from the ballet. Among moderns we have had sonic blockbusters from Salonen and Abbado, both of whom dig into the score as MTT does not, and both of whom benefit from the astounding viruosity of the Berlin Phil. As for the complete ballet, versions by Lorin Maazel with the Cleveland Orch. on Decca and Gergiev with the Kirov Orch. on Philips stand out. MTT has a lighter touch than all of the above, which isn't necessarily a bad thing--his avoidance of shmaltz is admirable to me.

In fact, there are stretches here that sound just as good as the best. I can see why other listeners give this recording five stars; in light of so many great ones, I settled for four.

The best available version of this music, hands down........2005-05-19

When Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony released their version of Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet" a decade ago, critics hailed it as the gold standard among all recorded versions of this music. Even now, there seems no reason to revise that opinion. Choosing from among several available suites prepared by Prokofiev himself, Tilson Thomas shaped a version that is both dramatically and musically complete. He and his orchestra do full justice to the bittersweet lyricism and astonishing emotional range of Prokofiev's music. Especially at its mid-range price, this CD is a must for anyone who loves Prokofiev.

Fantastic.......2004-08-04

Michael Tilson Thomas is truly one of the great living conductors. The things he has been doing with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra for a decade now have been wonderful. This is one of the conductor's earliest collaborations with RCA Victor in selections from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. Although other reviews have summed up most of my feelings on this CD, I do just want to emphasize MTT's musical vision in creating his own suite. The performance is incisive, dramatic, forceful, and thoroughly pleasing. As always, the SFSO plays with totally conviction and total faith in their music director. As one of the leading Russian experts of today, MTT has created here a fantastic disc.

Average customer rating: amazing aloneness one preferred alone Alone in Frisco Essential You need to hear Monk solo

Thelonious Alone in San Francisco Thelonious Monk Manufacturer: Ojc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Thelonious Himself Thelonious in Action: Recorded at the Five Spot Cafe Monk Alone: The Complete Solo Studio Recordings of Thelonious Monk 1962-1968 Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall Misterioso ASIN: B000000YCZ Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

1. Blue Monk
2. Ruby, My Dear
3. Round Lights
4. Everything Happens To Me
5. You Took The Words Right Out Of My Heart
6. Bluehawk
7. Pannonica
8. Remember
9. There's Danger In Your Eyes, Cherie (Take 2)
10. There's Danger In Your Eyes, Cherie (Take 1)
11. Reflections

Amazon.com essential recording

Thelonious Monk was a brilliant improviser, using his incredible rhythmic sense and his harmonic ingenuity to find new possibilities in his own works or standards while touching on the wellsprings of the blues and early jazz piano styles. Those gifts were never more apparent than in his whimsical and inspired solo performances, like this one from 1959. In addition to the usual fare, Monk could always reach into a treasure trove of pop songs others had forgotten. Here he makes original music out of the ancient and ephemeral "There's Danger in Your Eyes, Cherie," and he manages to do it on two separate takes. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

amazing aloneness.......2006-08-02

This is essential for any Thelonious fan and especially if you like his solo work. This was recorded, with no fans/concertgoers, in an empty auditorium and what you hear is like getting front row seats, with nobody else attending. Highlights include "There's danger in your eyes, Cherise", and "You took the words right out of my Heart" Buy it for yourself and listen to it alone!!!

one preferred alone.......2006-06-04

thelonious alone in san francisco is a study in manic "genius"- I dont offer the term genius lightly because I feel it's mere hyperpole for institutional acceptance. but in monk's case genius takes on less obverse meaning (if meaning is to be discerned)-the sort implicitly described by g. bataille in his essay on heterology. Monk's assumed mental illness(otherness) allowed for a sort of brazen(fractured) indifference to virtuousity-he played what he felt even if it meant hitting two or off keys (seemingly by mistake). im astounded by those attempting to approach his music empirically as though it could be somehow (mathematically) duplicated-but as we know mental illness cannot be duplicated-only treated.

Alone in Frisco.......2005-12-08

This is my favorite cd by the musical genius with the ultimate 'I'm not as crazy as I look' style. It's simply a terrific combination of Monk originals,such as 'Blue Monk' and
standards such as the sorta forgotten ,'There's Danger In Your Eyes' Cherie,'only a genius of his caliber could've come up with.

Essential.......2004-02-15

Thelonious Sphere Monk - brilliant pianist, quirky composer. His offbeat sense of harmonics and unusual musical sensibility may have gotten him kicked out of the Julliard music school and made his material a tad skewed for the casual listener to follow - now just as much as then - but to those willing to make a little adjustment, it's the reason he's always been such a complete original. He worked chords and combinations out of a piano that no one else ever thought of. The man was brilliant in any context, but I say his solo albums are the best way of hearing an eccentric genius at work. He plays around with ideas and variations like a sculptor with clay: old standards are given a new twist, his own past songs are nudged and prodded into shapes they'd never seen before, and there's never a lack of new ideas brought to the table.

Different people's ratings of the man's albums are always individual things, but Alone in San Francisco has always been my favorite. As usual you can't always know what to expect. The mood is predominantly quiet and reflective with a touch of the blues: "Blue Monk" (go figure), "Round Lights" and "Bluehawk" are all basically blues tunes, but even within that framework the playful improv work makes them almost nothing alike. The only track that took more than one take is not a Thelonious original, but an obscure 1920s pop tune ("they won't be expecting anything like this from me," he's quoted in the liners). There's some ear-tweaking trick or quirk around every corner here. The compositions don't usually follow standard keys or modes as we know them. When there's a catchy right-hand melody being woven, the block chords underneath it follow an unusual progression that doesn't match up the way you'd expect. Even the timing's sometimes weird, as in the opening to "Everything Happens to Me".. but somehow everything sounds natural with a logic all its own, if you just listen for it.

Short but sweet at 45 minutes, more easy and accessible than some other choices (e.g. Brilliant Corners or Underground), and usually pretty well priced, this disc makes a great introduction for those new to Monk. Solo Monk also makes a worthy find in this vein since it's got more alternate takes, giving a better picture of just how unique every TM performance was, but Alone in SF has always connected with me on a more personal level. As one of the reviewers below said, it's got the perfect empty-club-at-closing-time feel; quiet but not lonely, subdued yet peaceful. This is the one to unwind with while by yourself.. or with the kind of company that doesn't mind sharing a little quiet time. Newcomers, try this or Straight, No Chaser for a good first taste. Established fans: this one shouldn't disappoint in the least.

You need to hear Monk solo.......2003-01-28

If you like Monk, but don't own any of his solo recordings, you need to. His playing was dramatically different without a group behind him. While his ensemble playing is wild and loose, truly improvisational, his solo playing is even and disciplined. He strikes a perfect balance between joy and melancholy. To get a true picture of Monk, you have to have his solo material.

Average customer rating: A fine solo piano recording.

Thelonious Alone in San Francisco Thelonious Monk Manufacturer: Riverside ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Monk's Music (20 Bit Mastering) Brilliant Corners (20 Bit Mastering) Monk's Dream At Shelly's Manne-Hole Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall ASIN: B000AA4MKY Release Date: 2005-08-30

Tracks:

1. Blue Monk
2. Ruby, My Dear
3. Round Lights
4. Everything Happens to Me
5. You Took the Words Right Out of My Heart
6. Bluehawk
7. Pannonica
8. Remember
9. There's Danger in Your Eyes, Cherie
10. Reflections
11. There's Danger in Your Eyes, Cherie (Take 1) [*]

Customer Reviews:

A fine solo piano recording........2005-10-21

"Thelonious Alone in San Francisco" was Thelonious Monk's third solo piano recording and really like its predecessor ("Thelonious Himself") is a superb record. Monk is recorded at Fugazi Hall in San Francisco (although without an audience) in October of 1959 and runs through ten selections-- six originals and four standards. What makes this recording so special in my mind is that between the odd acoustics of the hall and Monk's playing, the recording has a very "composer at the piano at home" feel to it-- Monk is relaxed, with a delicate touch and avoids almost all of the usual flourishes-- the descending scales, the stride sound, etc. It ends up being a moody and delicate little recording.

Blues are very heavily emphasized throughout-- several blues are played including two originals ("Round Lights" and "Bluehawk") that were never again recording (I suspect they were on-the-spot compositions as the themes are rather brief) and even old standbys like "Ruby, My Dear" and "Pannonica" have a bluesy undercurrent to them. Without the stride sound, the mood is almost lethargic, but the usual Monk guessing game as to how he's going to approach the pieces keep them interesting.

This reissue, like the rest of the Fantasy Jazz K2 issues (in the slip cases) features stunning sound-- a distinct and vast improvement over the previous issues of these recordings that can easily be noticed without audiophile sound systems or a discerning ear. Additionally, one alternate take augments the recordings and the original liner notes essay is included.

This is probably not quite the best solo Monk piece, but its a fine recording deserving of attention. Recommended.

Average customer rating:

Alone in San Francisco Thelonious Monk Manufacturer: Jvc Victor ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000FZDN40 Release Date: 2006-08-07

Tracks:

1. Blue Monk
2. Ruby, My Dear
3. Round Lights
4. Everything Happens to Me
5. You Took the Words Right out of My Heart
6. Bluehawk
7. Pannonica
8. Remember
9. There's Danger in Your Eyes, Cherie [Take 2]
10. There's Danger in Your Eyes, Cherie [Take 1]
11. Reflections

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

Average customer rating:

Alone in San Francisco Thelonious Monk Manufacturer: Jvc Victor ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Bebop | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0007OE3H0 Release Date: 2005-04-04

Tracks:

1. Blue Monk
2. Ruby, My Dear
3. Round Lights
4. Everything Happens To Me (Dennis-Adair)
5. You Took The Words Right Out Of My Heart (Robin-Rainger)
6. Bluehawk
7. Pannonica
8. Remember (Irvin Berlin)
9. There's Danger In Your Eyes, Cherie (Take 2)(Richman-Meskell)
10. Reflections
11. There's Danger In Your Eyes, Cherie (Take 1)(Richman-Meskell)

Average customer rating: Rediscovering a genius

Alone in San Francisco Thelonious Monk Manufacturer: Jvc Victor ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Bebop | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00002JX5W Release Date: 1999-09-22

Tracks:

1. Blue Monk
2. Ruby My Dear
3. Round Lights
4. Everything Happens To Me
5. You Took The Words Right
6. Bluehawk
7. Pannonica
8. Remember
9. There's Danger In Your Ey
10. Reflections
11. There's Danger (Take 1)

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Witha an Additional Track.

Customer Reviews:

Rediscovering a genius.......2004-01-08

When I first heard Monk's recordings, I thought he might have been lost on the keys. Then I came across this lesser known collection of solos -Alone in San Francisco- and have since been finding that it was me who was lost and Monk who was helping me along the way. It always seemed to my ears that Bop and lyricism could never meet. And so, what an amazing find this album was.

Average customer rating:

Alone in San Francisco ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000NO295C Release Date: 2007-04-17

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