Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 2

1. Four In One

2. Four In One [Alternate Take]

3. Criss Cross

4. Criss Cross [Alternate Take]

5. Eronel

6. Straight No Chaser

7. Ask Me Now [Alternate Take]

8. Ask Me Now

9. Willow Weep For Me

10. Skippy

11. Skippy [Alternate Take]

12. Hornin' In [Alternate Take]

13. Hornin' In

14. Sixteen [First Take]

15. Sixteen [Second Take]

16. Carolina Moon

17. Let's Cool One

18. I'll Follow You

Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 2,Thelonious Monk,Capitol,Bop,Jazz

Jazz

Music

jazz

music

Average customer rating: Does anyone else hear it? THE RVG TO GET--You haven't heard this music till you hear THIS issue. Not as exciting as Volume 1, but worth digging up. 2 Bands. 2 sets. Pure Monk. Not to be Missed

Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 2 Thelonious Monk Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 1 A Night at Birdland, Vol. 1 Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall The Sidewinder Maiden Voyage ASIN: B00005MIZ5 Release Date: 2001-08-07

Tracks:

1. Four In One
2. Criss Cross
3. Eronel
4. Straight No Chaser
5. Ask Me Now
6. Willow Weep For Me
7. Nice Work If You Can Get It
8. Criss Cross (Alternate Take)
9. Ask Me Now (Alternate Take)
10. Skippy
11. Hornin' In
12. Sixteen (Second Take)
13. Carolina Moon
14. Let's Cool One
15. I'll Follow You
16. Skippy (Alternate Take)
17. Hornin' In (Alternate Take)
18. Sixteen (First Take)

Amazon.com

If Genius Volume One in this series stands out for repertoire, volume 2 shines for the better ensemble performances. The challenges of "Four in One" and "Criss-Cross," for instance, inspire vibraphonist Milt Jackson to slithery heights, and Thelonious Monk's architectonic comping sparks altoist Sahib Shihab and trumpeter Kenny Dorham to exploratory heights. One of the first recorded jazz waltzes, "Carolina Moon," reveals Monk's penchant for reviving obscure standards on his own irreverent terms, while the unaccompanied "I'll Follow You" allows us to peak at the pianist-composer thinking out loud. No serious jazz collection should be without a sampling from Monk's Blue Note output, and this is as good a place to start as any. --Jed Distler.

Album Details

20 bit digitally remastered.

Customer Reviews:

Does anyone else hear it?.......2007-04-16

5 Stars for the great music but does anyone else hear the annoying "da duh duh da da" of someone, I assume Monk, humming or singing the notes in the background on most of the tracks? It's not too loud but loud enough for it to be really disconcerting to me. Seems like a real shame, to me at least - I'm taking of two stars for that. If you're a close listener perhaps steer clear of this release (perhaps the newer editions cut out more of this?).

THE RVG TO GET--You haven't heard this music till you hear THIS issue........2007-03-11

The reviews herein have covered the musicality of this essential Monk, the debut recordings of Monk works that would become classics. I would like to talk about the astonishingly improved audio over previous issues. All due respect to Rudy, few of his RVGs stand out to my ears as being decidedly better than previous issues, such as the Connoisseur series. They do sound quite good, but, hands down, the RVGs do not best the Japanese issues. Perhaps it's a matter of different remastering philosophies--perhaps it's simply a matter of Michael Cuscuna putting Rudy's name on these to sell them; just a hunch I have, especially if you were to listen to the alternate take of "Wee-Dot" on Art Blakey A NIGHT AT BIRDLAND. The ride cymbal "wash" during Clifford's solo makes your ears cringe and it ruins Clifford's tremendous solo--I could never believe the great Rudy Van Gelder did such lousy remastering, though I must add, Clifford's immortal "Once in a While" is much improved over previous issues.

I purchased PERFECT TAKES, the sampler of the RVG series. The very first cut is "Four in One" from this RVG CD, GENIUS OF MODERN MUSIC Volume 2. I was absolutely floored by the audio, and I immediately ordered Volumes 1 and 2--I couldn't even wait for the rest of the sampler to play out! Whoever remastered these got quite a lot of the WOR studio's lacquer masters' surface noise out, and the detail and resolution are phenomenal. Makes previous issues obsolete--terribly obsolete. There is no comparison.

I think reviewers, in their enthusiasm upon first hearing an album, sometimes hastily write their reviews based on those first impressions, instead of studying the music a little more and allowing the music to grow on them, as we know music does. You really need both volumes. Neither is better than or more/less interesting than the other; as you listen to these over time, you'll find it's just a matter of your moods. And let's not overlook the work of Lucky Thompson on Volume 2--he absolutely tears up Monk's difficult-to-play chord changes. I will tell you, this is essential Lucky--what a completely together artist he was.

By the way, another RVG to get is THE EMINENT J. J. JOHNSON Volume 1, with Clifford Brown, more WOR lacquer discs that were tremendously remastered. Also, I believe the two Miles Davis RVG volumes were WOR recordings as well; I plan to get those, too.

Not as exciting as Volume 1, but worth digging up........2005-10-03

After his debut recordings as a leader in 1947, it was quite a while until Thelonious Monk returned to the studio as a leader. His next two sessions for Blue Note, in the summer of 1951 and spring of 1952 are collected as "Genius of Modern Music, Volume 2". Although LP technology was available, Blue Note chose to keep Monk in the single format.

The first session, from the summer of '51 finds Monk with perhaps the first frontline that truly "got" his music in alto saxophonist Sahib Shihab and vibist Milt Jackson, with bassist Al McKibbon and drummer Art Blakey anchoring the session. With the exception of a reading of "Nice Work If You Can Get It" (which Monk curiously recorded for Blue Note in 1947 as well), all the pieces are Monk originals, and this level of focus benefits the band, whether it's the midtempo oddball "Criss Cross" (which works nicely with the odd frontline), ecstatic "Straight No Chaser" (which curiously flounders a bit on Shihab's solo), or piano feature "Ask Me Now", where Monk really shows just what he's capable of.

The second session produces far less interesting music, with Monk accompanied by trumpeter Kenny Dorham, reedmen Lou Donaldson (on alto) and Lucky Thompson (on tenor), bassist Nelson Boyd and drummer Max Roach. By and large, it feels as though the horns don't quite get into this as much they should and they seem to get in the way of each other. "Skippy" is fantastic, full of energy and explosiveness, mid-tempo number "Let's Cool One" works reasonably well, but some of the material ("Sixteen", standards "Carolina Moon" and "I'll Follow You") receive straight and largely uninteresting reading. This is most surprising on "I'll Follow You", which sheds the horns entirely and presents Monk in a trio setting.

As part of the Rudy Van Gelder edition of remasters, this album features fantastic sound, given the age of the recording, far superior to the previous issue.

There's enough good music on here to make this one worth digging up, but for interest in early Monk, start with Volume 1.

2 Bands. 2 sets. Pure Monk........2005-01-09

Tracks 1 - 9: Thelonious Monk - piano, Sahib Shihab - alto sax, Milt Jackson - vibes, Al McKibbon - bass, Art Blakey - drums. Recorded on 7/23/51.

Tracks 10 - 18: Thelonious Monk - piano, Kenny Dorham - trumpet, Lou Donaldson - alto sax, Lucky Thompson - tenor sax, Nelson Boyd - bass, Max Roach - drums. Recorded on 5/30/52.

This is one of the great documents of Thelonious Monk's unique (and totally engaging) style and vision. I almost considered giving this 4 stars for no other reason than I know that the Rouse band is probably more popular/familiar for most people, but I just couldn't. This is five stars all the way.

Actually, seeing a previous review (after writing mine) has made me slip this note in here and drop it down to 4. I don't have that '48 session! That IS a good question... if it can fit on here, why isn't it on here? Although, for what IS here, it's still a 5-star disc.

I wonder whether this review will be mainly read by longtime Monk fans, or by people who are new to him. For those of you who know his stuff... everything that is Monk... it's all here. This is a fantastic disc! For those of you who are new to him but have other jazz discs... you're in for a treat. No one elses music moves like Monk's moves. It's almost unfair to even lump him in as "jazz". He is a genre unto himself. Everything about him stands alone. Once you get acquainted with his music, his rhythms, melodies (of his tunes), and piano playing will be instantly recognizable to you because, like I said... his music has its own distinct sense of movement.

That off-kilter sense of bouncy, swinging thrust that Dolphy's music has... it's due in part to his fascination with our man right here, Monk.

I love this disc, and the fact that it's by 2 different bands is really nice. You get to hear that Monk Vision as filtered through the lenses of 2 distinct bands. As for which band I prefer, it just depends on my mood. Both bands have it! As for this disc, you should have it!

Not to be Missed.......2004-11-29

Monk on Blue Note with superb supporting musicians playing many of his best known compositions. Can't go wrong here. My favorite tracks are on the first half of the CD featuring Milt Jackson. Check out Willlow Weep For Me and you will be instantly hooked. Monk's music has a vibrancy that is really captured in these recordings and for either the uninitiated or hard core Monkophiles this is a must own CD. Of all the guys who came out of the Bebop scene Monk's music stands out as the music that remains as fresh and challenging as anything being done today. Do yourself a favor and check this out.

Average customer rating: Does anyone else hear it? THE RVG TO GET--You haven't heard this music till you hear THIS issue. Not as exciting as Volume 1, but worth digging up. 2 Bands. 2 sets. Pure Monk. Not to be Missed

Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 2 Thelonious Monk Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Bebop | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Modern Post Bop | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 1 A Night at Birdland, Vol. 1 Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall The Sidewinder Maiden Voyage ASIN: B000005HBT Release Date: 1989-07-12

Tracks:

1. Four In One
2. Four In One (Alternate Take)
3. Criss Cross
4. Criss Cross (Alternate Take)
5. Eronel
6. Straight No Chaser
7. Ask Me Now (Alternate Take)
8. Ask Me Now
9. Willow Weep For Me
10. Skippy
11. Skippy (Alterante Take)
12. Hornin' In (Alternate Take)
13. Hornin' In
14. Sixteen (first take)
15. Sixteen (second take)
16. Carolina Moon
17. Let's Cool One
18. I'll Follow You

Amazon.com

If Genius Volume One in this series stands out for repertoire, volume 2 shines for the better ensemble performances. The challenges of "Four in One" and "Criss-Cross," for instance, inspire vibraphonist Milt Jackson to slithery heights, and Thelonious Monk's architectonic comping sparks altoist Sahib Shihab and trumpeter Kenny Dorham to exploratory heights. One of the first recorded jazz waltzes, "Carolina Moon," reveals Monk's penchant for reviving obscure standards on his own irreverent terms, while the unaccompanied "I'll Follow You" allows us to peak at the pianist-composer thinking out loud. No serious jazz collection should be without a sampling from Monk's Blue Note output, and this is as good a place to start as any. --Jed Distler.

Album Details

20 bit digitally remastered.

Customer Reviews:

Does anyone else hear it?.......2007-04-16

5 Stars for the great music but does anyone else hear the annoying "da duh duh da da" of someone, I assume Monk, humming or singing the notes in the background on most of the tracks? It's not too loud but loud enough for it to be really disconcerting to me. Seems like a real shame, to me at least - I'm taking of two stars for that. If you're a close listener perhaps steer clear of this release (perhaps the newer editions cut out more of this?).

THE RVG TO GET--You haven't heard this music till you hear THIS issue........2007-03-11

The reviews herein have covered the musicality of this essential Monk, the debut recordings of Monk works that would become classics. I would like to talk about the astonishingly improved audio over previous issues. All due respect to Rudy, few of his RVGs stand out to my ears as being decidedly better than previous issues, such as the Connoisseur series. They do sound quite good, but, hands down, the RVGs do not best the Japanese issues. Perhaps it's a matter of different remastering philosophies--perhaps it's simply a matter of Michael Cuscuna putting Rudy's name on these to sell them; just a hunch I have, especially if you were to listen to the alternate take of "Wee-Dot" on Art Blakey A NIGHT AT BIRDLAND. The ride cymbal "wash" during Clifford's solo makes your ears cringe and it ruins Clifford's tremendous solo--I could never believe the great Rudy Van Gelder did such lousy remastering, though I must add, Clifford's immortal "Once in a While" is much improved over previous issues.

I purchased PERFECT TAKES, the sampler of the RVG series. The very first cut is "Four in One" from this RVG CD, GENIUS OF MODERN MUSIC Volume 2. I was absolutely floored by the audio, and I immediately ordered Volumes 1 and 2--I couldn't even wait for the rest of the sampler to play out! Whoever remastered these got quite a lot of the WOR studio's lacquer masters' surface noise out, and the detail and resolution are phenomenal. Makes previous issues obsolete--terribly obsolete. There is no comparison.

I think reviewers, in their enthusiasm upon first hearing an album, sometimes hastily write their reviews based on those first impressions, instead of studying the music a little more and allowing the music to grow on them, as we know music does. You really need both volumes. Neither is better than or more/less interesting than the other; as you listen to these over time, you'll find it's just a matter of your moods. And let's not overlook the work of Lucky Thompson on Volume 2--he absolutely tears up Monk's difficult-to-play chord changes. I will tell you, this is essential Lucky--what a completely together artist he was.

By the way, another RVG to get is THE EMINENT J. J. JOHNSON Volume 1, with Clifford Brown, more WOR lacquer discs that were tremendously remastered. Also, I believe the two Miles Davis RVG volumes were WOR recordings as well; I plan to get those, too.

Not as exciting as Volume 1, but worth digging up........2005-10-03

After his debut recordings as a leader in 1947, it was quite a while until Thelonious Monk returned to the studio as a leader. His next two sessions for Blue Note, in the summer of 1951 and spring of 1952 are collected as "Genius of Modern Music, Volume 2". Although LP technology was available, Blue Note chose to keep Monk in the single format.

The first session, from the summer of '51 finds Monk with perhaps the first frontline that truly "got" his music in alto saxophonist Sahib Shihab and vibist Milt Jackson, with bassist Al McKibbon and drummer Art Blakey anchoring the session. With the exception of a reading of "Nice Work If You Can Get It" (which Monk curiously recorded for Blue Note in 1947 as well), all the pieces are Monk originals, and this level of focus benefits the band, whether it's the midtempo oddball "Criss Cross" (which works nicely with the odd frontline), ecstatic "Straight No Chaser" (which curiously flounders a bit on Shihab's solo), or piano feature "Ask Me Now", where Monk really shows just what he's capable of.

The second session produces far less interesting music, with Monk accompanied by trumpeter Kenny Dorham, reedmen Lou Donaldson (on alto) and Lucky Thompson (on tenor), bassist Nelson Boyd and drummer Max Roach. By and large, it feels as though the horns don't quite get into this as much they should and they seem to get in the way of each other. "Skippy" is fantastic, full of energy and explosiveness, mid-tempo number "Let's Cool One" works reasonably well, but some of the material ("Sixteen", standards "Carolina Moon" and "I'll Follow You") receive straight and largely uninteresting reading. This is most surprising on "I'll Follow You", which sheds the horns entirely and presents Monk in a trio setting.

As part of the Rudy Van Gelder edition of remasters, this album features fantastic sound, given the age of the recording, far superior to the previous issue.

There's enough good music on here to make this one worth digging up, but for interest in early Monk, start with Volume 1.

2 Bands. 2 sets. Pure Monk........2005-01-09

Tracks 1 - 9: Thelonious Monk - piano, Sahib Shihab - alto sax, Milt Jackson - vibes, Al McKibbon - bass, Art Blakey - drums. Recorded on 7/23/51.

Tracks 10 - 18: Thelonious Monk - piano, Kenny Dorham - trumpet, Lou Donaldson - alto sax, Lucky Thompson - tenor sax, Nelson Boyd - bass, Max Roach - drums. Recorded on 5/30/52.

This is one of the great documents of Thelonious Monk's unique (and totally engaging) style and vision. I almost considered giving this 4 stars for no other reason than I know that the Rouse band is probably more popular/familiar for most people, but I just couldn't. This is five stars all the way.

Actually, seeing a previous review (after writing mine) has made me slip this note in here and drop it down to 4. I don't have that '48 session! That IS a good question... if it can fit on here, why isn't it on here? Although, for what IS here, it's still a 5-star disc.

I wonder whether this review will be mainly read by longtime Monk fans, or by people who are new to him. For those of you who know his stuff... everything that is Monk... it's all here. This is a fantastic disc! For those of you who are new to him but have other jazz discs... you're in for a treat. No one elses music moves like Monk's moves. It's almost unfair to even lump him in as "jazz". He is a genre unto himself. Everything about him stands alone. Once you get acquainted with his music, his rhythms, melodies (of his tunes), and piano playing will be instantly recognizable to you because, like I said... his music has its own distinct sense of movement.

That off-kilter sense of bouncy, swinging thrust that Dolphy's music has... it's due in part to his fascination with our man right here, Monk.

I love this disc, and the fact that it's by 2 different bands is really nice. You get to hear that Monk Vision as filtered through the lenses of 2 distinct bands. As for which band I prefer, it just depends on my mood. Both bands have it! As for this disc, you should have it!

Not to be Missed.......2004-11-29

Monk on Blue Note with superb supporting musicians playing many of his best known compositions. Can't go wrong here. My favorite tracks are on the first half of the CD featuring Milt Jackson. Check out Willlow Weep For Me and you will be instantly hooked. Monk's music has a vibrancy that is really captured in these recordings and for either the uninitiated or hard core Monkophiles this is a must own CD. Of all the guys who came out of the Bebop scene Monk's music stands out as the music that remains as fresh and challenging as anything being done today. Do yourself a favor and check this out.

Average customer rating:

Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 2 Thelonious Monk Manufacturer: Blue Note Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00000JA8G Release Date: 1998-11-26

Tracks:

1. Four in One
2. Criss-Cross
3. Eronel
4. Straight, No Chaser
5. Ask Me Now
6. Willow Weep for Me
7. Nice Work If You Can Get It
8. Criss-Cross [Alternate Take]
9. Ask Me Now [Alternate Take]
10. Skippy
11. Hornin' In
12. Sixteen [Second Take]
13. Carolina Moon
14. Let's Cool One
15. I'll Follow You
16. Skippy [Alternate Take]
17. Hornin' In [Alternate Take]
18. Sixteen [First Take]

Album Details

Japanese Release featuring 24 Bit Remastering and LP Style Slipcase for Initial Pressing Only.

Average customer rating:

Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 2 Thelonious Monk Manufacturer: Blue Note 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 Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0006M18X0 Release Date: 2005-02-07

Album Description

Japanese limited edition 24-bit remastered reissue of 1951 album. Blue Note. 2005.

Album Details

24bit Digitally Remastered Japanese Release in Celebration of Blue Note's 65th Anniversary.

Jazz Music:

1. George Shearing in Dixieland
2. Gettin' Around
3. Grand Stan [Import]
4. Groove Shop
5. Heart and Soul
6. Horace Silver & The Jazz Messengers [Import] [Limited Edition] [Original recording remastered]
7. Hot Jazz: And Not Only That
8. I'll Be Easy to Find [Import]
9. In the Mood With
10. In the Mood With Duke Ellington

Jazz Music

jazz music