Thelonious Monk

1. Blue Monk

2. Just a Gigolo

3. Bemsha Swing

4. Reflections

5. Little Rootie Tootie

6. Sweet and Lovely

7. Bye-Ya

8. Monk's Dream

9. Trinkle, Tinkle

10. These Foolish Things

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Average customer rating: essential to your jazz collection, period Thelonious Monk Quarted with John colgrane at Carnegie Hall Very Nice Pure Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall

Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall Thelonious Monk , and John Coltrane Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: One Down, One Up: Live at the Half Note Town Hall, New York City, June 22, 1945 Kind of Blue Our New Orleans: A Benefit Album for the Gulf Coast Prairie Wind ASIN: B000AV2GCE Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

1. Monk's Mood
2. Evidence
3. Crepescule With Nellie
4. Nutty
5. Epistrophy (Live)
6. Bye-Ya
7. Sweet And Lovely
8. Blue Monk
9. Epistrophy

Amazon.com

Every year sees a crop of newly found jazz gems, but rarely are listeners treated to anything as special as this 1957 concert recording of Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane, which was accidentally discovered in an unmarked box by a Library of Congress engineer early in 2005. Until now, fans could only dream of hearing these two immortals play together beyond the three studio tracks they left behind. But here they are, hitting their stride at an all-star benefit concert, basking in the chemistry they had developed in Monk's quartet during the preceding weeks at New York's Five Spot. Coltrane's playing is a revelation. He's both an inspired accompanist and a galvanizing soloist, taking the music to new heights with his bold, brilliantly challenging, and sometimes jaw-dropping phrases, note clusters, and blasts of power. Sharing with Coltrane a newfound sense of freedom following the personal and professional troubles that had plagued them both, Monk is clearly tickled to be in the tenorist's presence, injecting humorous commentaries and otherwise asserting his eccentric genius as a pianist. The material, which was very well recorded by the Voice of America, includes Monk classics like "Epistrophy," "Monk's Moods," and "Evidence," as well as a striking rendition of the standard "Sweet and Lovely." This is music that not only bears repeated listenings, but also demands them--the ultimate definition of a classic. --Lloyd Sachs

Customer Reviews:

essential to your jazz collection, period.......2007-05-30

I can't believe this sat in a box and the library of congress all this time! It makes me wonder what other gems they got in deep freeze. Thank Jeezy they found it. I love listening to this when I drive around town with the windows down on a summer night. Good, good, good. Hear it, love it, get it.

Thelonious Monk Quarted with John colgrane at Carnegie Hall.......2007-05-29

This recording, unearthed after nearly fifty years on old tapes found at the Library of Congress, is a national treasure that speaks to all of us, after two generations. Surely this marks the work as art in its most universal sense: something with permanence, that will (I hope) last through the ages. I understand from a little research that Billy Holiday participated in this same concert, and regret that that recording has been lost! But this one, in my opinion, gets five stars.

Very Nice.......2007-05-25

I've got a small but impressive jazz library, jazz has been a recent addition to my musical tastes. I'm not the biggest Coltrane fan, I prefer Cannonball Adderly and some others less inclined to go wailing away. I do not like Coltrane's A Love Supreme. Monk and Coltrane team up here with a very enjoyable performance. Excellent for background music or dedicated listening. The fidelity is superb, very high quality. Only negative is it's mono. Jazz fans will love this.

Pure.......2007-05-20

It's funny what people find when they clean out closets. The people at Carngie Hall found a jewel and something unique and pure. A great addition to any jazz aficionado's collection. In reality a must have if you like jazz at all.

Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall.......2007-05-17

I purchased the disc, being asked by my brother.
He is exceited and overjoyed to have gotten the disc.

Average customer rating: music from the Five Spot.... great concert great concert great concert Pleasing

Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane Manufacturer: Ojc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Kind of Blue A Love Supreme Mingus Ah Um Birth of the Cool Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall ASIN: B000000Y2F Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

1. Ruby, My Dear
2. Trinkle, Tinkle
3. Off Minor [Stereo] - John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Thelonious Monk
4. Nutty
5. Epistrophy [Stereo]
6. Functional

Amazon.com essential recording

Among Thelonious Monk's long stays at New York's legendary Five Spot was a six-month period in 1957 with possibly his most brilliant band, with John Coltrane finding fuel in Monk's music for his harmonic explorations. The quartet only recorded three studio tracks: a sublime reading of Monk's ballad "Ruby, My Dear"; a loping version of "Nutty"; and a stunning version of "Trinkle Tinkle" on which Trane's tenor mirrors Monk's piano part. The CD is completed with outtakes from an octet session that joined Coltrane and Coleman Hawkins and an extended solo version of "Functional." --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

music from the Five Spot...........2007-06-22

The Five Spot in 1957 Thelonious Monk playing live at one of his favorite gigs. Before they became jazz legends Monk and John Coltrane jam on 3 songs. This is a classic jazz recording and one of the few where Monk and Coltrane play together. But check this out you also have Coleman Hawkins on tenor sax, Art Blakey, before his Jazz Messengers days, on drums, Wilbur Ware on bass. Great music.

great concert.......2007-06-02

The sound is not good, but these two masters of jazz of all time together are simply great.

great concert.......2007-06-02

The sound is not good, but these two masters of jazz of all time together are simply great.

great concert.......2007-06-02

The sound is not good, but these two masters of jazz of all time together are simply great.

Pleasing .......2006-08-25

The CD is wonderful it sound as if you are there. A great buy.

Average customer rating: Monk in top form The Thelonious Monk Quartet Monk's major label debut. Very Accurate Title Dream On Monk....

Monk's Dream Thelonious Monk Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Straight, No Chaser Mingus Ah Um Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane A Love Supreme Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall ASIN: B00006GO99 Release Date: 2002-09-03

Tracks:

1. Monk's Dream (Take 8)
2. Body And Soul (Re-Take 2)
3. Bright Mississippi (Take 1)
4. Blues Five Spot
5. Blue Bolivar Blues (Take 2)
6. Just A Gigolo
7. Bye-Ya
8. Sweet And Lovely
9. Monk's Dream (Take 3)
10. Body And Soul (Take 1)
11. Bright Mississippi (Take 3)
12. Blue Bolivar Blues (Take 1)

Amazon.com essential recording

Thelonious Sphere Monk was 45 when he began work in 1962 on Monk's Dream, his first recording for a big mainstream label. Thus, the 8 tracks here, a mixture of Monk originals and standards, present the bop pianist at a career peak, documenting music that is both challenging and immediately accessible. Playing with his touring quartet, Monk makes each song his own, finding a typically quirky melody line within the romance of "Body and Soul" or the swing of "Bright Mississippi." Tenor saxman Charles Rouse adds some soothing horn soloing, but it's Monk's bright, intuitive playing that makes this a late bop milestone. Timeless. --Steve Appleford

Amazon.com

Originally released in early 1963, Monk's Dream was the first Thelonious Monk album for Columbia. At the time this was recorded (fist sessions on Halloween, 1962), he had become one of the preeminent figures in contemporary jazz. His move to Columbia put him in the company of a couple of the era's other major talents and commercial successes, Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck, and his quartet was stabilized for a couple years with tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse (with him since 1958), bassist John Ore, and drummer Frankie Dunlop. This album set the format for his succeeding works for the label over the next half-dozen years: a few standards mixed with originals, most of which had been recorded earlier in his career (the only new composition is "Bright Mississippi," itself a variation on the chordal structure of "Sweet Georgia Brown"). However, these performances find Monk in exuberant good cheer. His playing sparkles with invention and the relaxation and calm of a career in well-deserved ascension. Critically under-celebrated in its day, Monk's Dream is rich with the confidence of a band at its peak. --David Greenberger

Customer Reviews:

Monk in top form.......2007-02-14

Monk's most creative period was the mid 40's to early 50's, when he developed his style (revolutionary at the time) and wrote most of his classic compositions. Sadly he was underappreciated by the public until after that period. By the time of this recording, 1962, Monk's style has been fully developed for a while. This record is sometimes dismissed because there is not much innovation or new compositions. I think that is a mistake. This is Monk as a mature artist refining his style with a great band. The sax player, Charlie Rouse, is not a celebrity name like John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, or Johnny Griffin, but his tone and style perfectly complement Monk on this record. Monk's opening solo on "Sweet and Lovely" is one of his best, and when Rouse comes in after a couple of minutes, it's pretty close to perfect. There's only one new song, "Bright Mississippi", but it's one of his classics. When Monk covers standards like "Like a Gigolo" and "Body and Soul" he makes them sound like they are his songs. I highly recommend this one.

The Thelonious Monk Quartet.......2005-10-17

This is probaly the best record to go to if one needed to check out Thelonious Monk in a quartet setting, or any setting for that matter.

Most Monk albums have a few of his classic tunes, and a few standards, and this album is no different. It sounds like Monk and the rest of the musicians were very on top with this recording. It's very well arranged, and everyone plays great.

I think one of Monk's best drummers was Frankie Dunlop, and he appears on this album. He had the perfect style for Monk's creative playing, more than Art Blakey and Roy Haynes had for him.

Bye Ya, and Monk's Dream are too tunes that standout, and Bolivar Blues is another Monk classic. I dig them! This whole album is great.

Another thing I realized while listening to this album is just how good a solo pianist Monk is. Sure, everybody knows he had a couple of solo albums out, but not many think of him as a great solo pianist.

Certainly not the most ideal accompianist for a horn man, Monk is exciting and ingenious all the way. This is a classic recording!

Monk's major label debut........2005-10-04

In 1962, bebop was on its way out the door, but Thelonious Monk's star was rising. Having spent the better part of the previous decade signed to Riverside (where he moved from underground to somewhat more popularly known), he signed to Columbia Records' growing jazz department (it should be noted that all the praise that is often levied on Columbia for all this jazz they recorded should be tempered by noting how quickly they kicked these artists to the curb when they decided this music was not commercial enough). Monk appeared to be happy to be signed to the label, as he took his working quartet (including Charlie Rouse on tenor sax, John Ore on bass and Frankie Dunlop on drums) into the studio to record this album, "Monk's Dream", which has an ecstatic energy to it that many Monk pieces lack in favor of introspection.

Perhaps the most telling is the title track and opener, "Monk's Dream"-- it's energetic, upbeat and exciting, with Monk's playing fractured and explosive and Rouse matching. This pretty much sticks through the entire record, including the solo piano feature "Body and Soul", a stunning take on "Blue Bolivar Blues" (with a superb solo by Rouse) and "Bye-Ya", where Dunlop gets to show just what he's got in him. Throughout, the playing is superb, the group interaction is near-psychic, and the mood is exciting and upbeat-- check out closer "Sweet and Lovely"-- Monk freely associates on the theme under Rouse's solo, responding to the soloist and gently urging him on while Ore and Dunlop lock with the leader. The only exception to the mood of the record is the take of "Just a Gigolo", performed on solo piano, the only really moody piece on the record. Nonetheless, the performance is breathtaking as Monk deconstructs the piece totally.

This reissue is remastered and adds four alternate takes (nearly 30 minutes of unreleased music) to the recording, and features a new liner notes essay as well as reprinting the original notes.

I'm of the opinion (and I seem to be in the minority) that Monk has done better than this one, but it's an awfully good album. Recommended.

Very Accurate Title.......2005-04-24

This record does put you in the middle of Monk's Dream. Things are all around you - people, houses, stores, the city, the woods, just something is a little off. Hey how come that person has three feet and is pouring coffe grounds in one ear. I realize that makes no sense, but gives a sense of a different twist on musical reality. But this is still straight ahead bop thought, so the fact that it makes you feel slightly off balance is a compliment. Monk bops at slightly off kilter mid pace tempo and give Charlie Rouse a chance to shine. Charlie Rouse is taken for granted because he fits the music to well. He sounds like part of written composition. Few hornmen played Monk's tunes with such grace and ease. Chill out and space out to Monk's Dream

Dream On Monk...........2004-07-03

Of the dozen or so Monk albums in my collection this album positions itself as one of my top three favorites - with a large margin of endearment. Not unlike other albums released by Monk in the late '50's and beyond, herein Monk spreads out his pieces with lengthy solos and rythmic toying. New renditions of earlier concieved works are laid down with double or more playing time; not something that I find more oft to be a positive attribute.

However, this album is an exception. The essence of these works is not lost during the expanses of soloing and the melodies live beyond the confines of the jewel case. This is the kind of music that you just can't get out of your head and will actually enjoy humming when the CD ain't around. Also noteworthy, sound quality is vastly improved over early recordings of Monk.

If you don't own The Best of the Blue Note Years, it is highly recommended that you purchase both albums. For glimpses of the mad genius, try the video Straight, No Chaser.

Average customer rating: Hapazard Packaging Mixed

Thelonious Monk 3 CD Set (LP edition packaging) Manufacturer: Black Cat Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Muddy Waters 3 CD Set (LP edition packaging) Sarah Vaughan 3 CD Set (LP edition packaging) Ray Charles 3 CD Set (LP edition packaging) Louis Armstrong 3 CD Set (LP edition packaging) Little Night Music - Ultimate Mozart Collection [20 CD Set] ASIN: B000FUF974 Release Date: 2004-11-18

Tracks:

1. Humph
2. Round Midnight
3. Straight No Chaser
4. Ruby My Dear
5. Reflections
6. Epistrophy
7. Thelonious
8. Criss Cross
9. Carolina Moon
10. Well You Neednt
11. Crepuscule With Nellie (Live)
12. April In Paris

Tracks:

1. All The Things You Are
2. Monks Mood
3. Nice Work If You Can Get It
4. Lets Cool One
5. Skippy
6. Four In One
7. Off Minor
8. In Walked Bud
9. Evidence
10. Evonce
11. Suburban Eyes
12. Introspection

Tracks:

1. Who Knows?
2. Monks Mood
3. I Mean You
4. Eronel
5. Ask Me Now
6. Willow Weep For Me
7. HorninIn
8. Sixteen (First Take)
9. Ill Follow You
10. Misterioso
11. Trinkle Tinkle (Live)
12. Dont Get Around Much Anymore (with Milt Jackson)

Album Description

This is a Limited Collector's Edition LP 3 CD Album!

Customer Reviews:

Hapazard Packaging.......2007-06-29

The music gets 5 stars, but this release has no liner notes, and worse still, no listing of musicians. Unacceptable behavior on the part of the CD's producers...

Mixed.......2007-05-27

This is an easy way to pump up Monk in your collection. 36 recordings. The packaging is really cool too - the 3 disks come arranged in a LP sized folder so it was very nostalgic to open the package and see all the liner notes.

The recordings are mixed in quality. Some extremely good, some not so good. Some the vibraphone player or sax player seems more of the featured artists, and there are some recordings with vocalists that seem out of place. However, the good is very good, and the bad is still interesting.

The major disappointment is that there is no information on the date of the recordings and the other musicians, so its difficult to place any of this in historical context. So in the end this seems like an import collection.

I'm happy with the purchase, as I'm exploring Monk know and how he ties to other musicians. But, the Carnegie Hall recording with Coltrane I picked up last year is more exciting package.

Average customer rating: Great Packaging! Great Remastering As Well! Rightly praised classic, however at times lacking Monk's signature brilliant, yes mahn Pannonica Which Monk Cd should I choose ?

Brilliant Corners Thelonious Monk Manufacturer: Ojc 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 Similar Items: Mingus Ah Um Monk's Dream A Love Supreme Moanin' Somethin' Else ASIN: B000000Y1H Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

1. Brilliant Corners
2. Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are
3. Pannonica
4. I Surrender, Dear
5. Bemsha Swing

Amazon.com essential recording

Few composers or improvisers can match the originality of pianist Thelonious Monk. Quirky yet rigorously logical, Monk's playful but always purposeful choice of skewed melodies and interrupted rhythm patterns gave the bebop movement, and jazz in total, a new sound that was totally modern. Although he created a surprisingly limited body of compositions, his impact on the vocabulary and canon of jazz is second to none, including such prolific giants as Duke Ellington. Brilliant Corners is a triumph of both performance and conception: the two small-group sessions, anchored by Monk, drummer Max Roach, and the bass work of either Oscar Pettiford or Paul Chambers, feature superb front-line performances by saxophonists Sonny Rollins and the tragically under-recorded Ernie Henry, as well as trumpeter Clark Terry. The title track, which centers the collection, is one of Monk's most unconventional pieces, skirting whole-tone, chromatic and Lydian scales; a version of "Pannonica" finds Monk doubling on celeste, while the band stretches out on "Bemsha Swing" and the blues "Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-lues-are." --Fred Goodman

Album Description

Digitally remastered using K2 bit technology, this is a Japanese reissue of the great pianist's 1956 album for the Prestige label in a miniaturized LP sleeve limited to the initial pressing only. Five tracks. The All-Music Guide gave the album four & a ha

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring 20bit K2 Mastering and Limited Edition LP Style Slipcase for Initial Pressing Only.

Customer Reviews:

Great Packaging! Great Remastering As Well!.......2006-10-02

This along with "Criss-Cross" have been roundly acknowledged as among the best the Monk has ever done. Considering he had recorded dozens of albums, that's no small praise either. This version of the classic album is a work of art in itself. The mini-lp sleeve replica is very well done and it reproduces very faithfully the cover art on the original lp release. In addition, all the tracks have been very well digitally remastered so that the sound quality is really very, very good. This is by far the best version of this album that is currently out there.

Recommended for all fans of Monk and of great jazz in general.

Rightly praised classic, however at times lacking Monk's signature.......2006-05-15

This is one of those ominous recordings that manages to somehow steal the spotlight away from some of the more in depth work of the artist due to this album's attempt at "getting everything right". Don't ask me to explain what that means, all I know is that there are many albums that achieve legendary status due to their pitch perfect recipe that delivers all of the prescribed ingrediants in the right order. Somehow that formula for sucess yielded many jazz classics, but overshadowed more personal, detailed work. This applies to most artists then, and as a general forwarning into gageing many composer's true strengths when it comes to buying most recommended titles. They are often ideal first purchases when discovering someone, but usually misleading as well.
This album itself is perhaps 1/2 dominated by the man of the hour, giving way to yes..some brilliant corners. There are some amazing musical concepts going on brought on undoubtedly by a total collaboration at times with some pretty free form plotting by all players. As exciting as some of the swingin tunes can be, the problem of overshadowing genius cannot be remedied when tunes like "I surrender Dear" are played, the depth of that writing on display towers over the majority of the disc's mood of playfullness. Nonetheless, this is one of his more popular albums for a reason, each track on this album has stood the test of time and will continue to represent such a special hybrid of piano induced, frenzied yet organized beauty in it's 5 eclectic compositions that go everywhere from avant garde to ballad to bee bop to solo.

brilliant, yes mahn.......2006-03-11

This is a fantastic monk recording, because there is so much soul in the tracks. Monk's unorthodox style is interpreted well by all the other players as is immediately evident on the first track. The tempo shifts continually and the song takes on a completely eccentric life of its own. Rollin's sax solo about 4 minutes into the track has a playful, whimsical, blues feel and roache's drum play is among the best i have ever heard on any jazz track, the way he shifts tempo during his solo is wonderfully energizing. The intros and exits to both the first two tracks will hang in your head for the rest of the day. Henry and rollins simultaneous play during these periods suggests a light-hearted, take-it-as-it-comes approach to life. The bass solos are equally playful, like the one on "Ba-lue..." From head to toe the musicians surrounding monk do a fantastic job assuming his style and create a recording that is the epitome of monk.

As far as monk's play, i am partial to his solo about 4 and 1/2 minutes into track two. It sums up the feel of the entire album: cool, playful and confident. Monk's choice of celeste-play on "pannonica" is another deviation from tradition that hangs a mystical mood around a somewhat earthy track that couldn't be done without it. I am also a big fan of monk's classical style and track four is rich and romantic.

This disc is a wonderful way of looking at the world that has never been done quite the same. It is an optimistic recording that you will leave in a good mood after hearing it...every time. "Brilliant corners" is one of those recordings that makes you thank fate that monk and the all-star cast that joined him created it and you happened to hear it after the session became history.

Pannonica.......2005-08-09

From the wonderful documentary "Straight, No Chaser", we know that the Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter was born a Rothschild, flew bombers during WWII in de Gaulle's resistance, then came to New York and became one of the foremost patrons of jazz, close friends with Parker, Thelonious, and countless others. Complex lady. Complex tune as well, and one of Monk's most beautiful.
This record was Monk's third for Riverside, but the first to feature his compositions. The title track "Brilliant Corners" is notorious for its strangeness of melody and its doubling of tempo. But the highlight of the record is the ballad "Pannonica", for two reasons... first, Monk doubling on the celeste. I think it must be the only time he ever played another instrument on record, let alone two instruments at once, but he must've been aiming for an ethereal quality for this recording and achieves it in his intro and in his solo, where he alternates between celeste and piano. And second... Sonny Rollins. This was made during Sonny's high point, around the time of "Saxophone Colossus", and I think it is probably his strongest ballad solo, and the strongest saxophone solo anyone has played behind Monk, past Rouse and Johnny Griffin and even Coltrane. As great as Rouse is, whenever he is playing the tune, you can hear him get caught up in the trickiness of the bridge, and he invariably runs back to the theme for safety. Sonny, during his solo, has truly possessed and internalized Monk's composition, and brings all of his astonshing self to the solo. Doesn't falter once. And listen towards the end when he throws in those five consecutive ascending glissandos. Then listen to Monk affectionately duplicate them when he gets into his solo. Then listen to some of the other recordings of "Pannonica" over the next 15 years and you'll hear Monk working this phrase in again. A small, wonderful exchange between two artists. The rest of the tunes on "Brilliant Corners" are great, but "Pannonica" is one of those rare ones that is itself worth the price of admission. One can only wish that Monk and Rollins had played and recorded more together-- then I think there would be no question of Monk's supremacy in modern jazz or of Sonny's supremacy on the tenor saxophone.

Which Monk Cd should I choose ?.......2004-12-30

That is one of life's more difficult questions because the more you listen to Monk the more you hear. Certainly that is true on this Cd. It ranks as one of my favorites because the music is so unpredictable and the musicians that are on this particular Monk recording do an amazing job interpreting Monk's compositions. Every cut is different and each has something that just blows me away every time I hear it. Pannonica , the 3rd track is one of Monk's more understated and underrated tunes. His piano playing on that number can only be descibed as sweet. The Blues turnarounds on Bal-Lue Bolivar with Monk and Sonny Rollins are knock-outs and Monk's version of I Surrender Dear is especially unique.
I would be remiss not to mention Max Roach's drumming on this entire cd is fantastic but he particularly shines on Bemsha Swing. Then the icing on the cake is a beautiful trumpet solo on that cut by Clark Terry.
This is certainly one of Monk's finest recordings and on certain nights it is my all-time favorite. Don't miss it.

Average customer rating: Review of Thelonious Monk's The Best of the Blue Note Years 30 Years old and the start of greatness Still my favourite Superb Compelling as a listening experience: also, vital history

The Best of the Blue Note Years 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: Monk's Dream Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane Kind of Blue Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall Moanin' ASIN: B000005HGN Release Date: 1991-03-26

Tracks:

1. Thelonious
2. Ruby My Dear
3. Well You Needn't
4. April In Paris
5. Monk's Mood
6. In Walked Bud
7. 'Round Midnight
8. Evidence
9. Misterioso
10. Epsitrophy
11. I Mean You
12. Four In One
13. Criss Cross
14. Straight No Chaser
15. Ask Me Now
16. Skippy

Amazon.com essential recording

Blue Note was the first company to give Thelonious Monk the opportunity to record as a leader, and he brought many of his great compositions to these 1947-52 sessions for their first recordings, with groups that included gifted and sympathetic players like drummer Art Blakey and vibraphonist Milt Jackson. This CD's 15 selections contain classic early renditions of the great ballads like "Ruby My Dear" and "'Round Midnight," as well as then-exotic pieces like "Epistrophy" and "Straight, No Chaser" that have since become standard jazz repertoire. Originally released as 78 rpm records, these compressed renditions highlight Monk's innovative structures. This is a distillation of the four-CD Complete Blue Note Recordings, which generously covers this entire, fertile early period. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Review of Thelonious Monk's The Best of the Blue Note Years.......2006-03-22

Thelonious Monk is regarded as one of the most innovative jazz pianists/composers of his time, and this CD - original versions of his most popular pieces - demonstrates why. Unless you are a jazz connoisseur (and I am not), this music will probably strike you as weird at first, but it's worth listening to until you get it. In most of these pieces, Monk is accompanied by both bass and drums, or by bass, drums, saxophone, and trumpet. He sometimes played fast, sometimes sparingly, and sometimes beautiful, but it always seems right. A Washington Post music critic considers this one of the best jazz albums of all time.

30 Years old and the start of greatness.......2005-11-01

Collecting tracks from his earlier blue note albums(genius of modern music volumes 1 and 2)of brilliance is hard to do because each cut is great...now, these 2 remastered cd's really shine with the original artwork and alternate takes...But,this CD is a sampler and the way to go as all reviewers insist..the complexity is all here as Monk strays in his world but it is all very centered,the eccentricity is structured within beautiful music.
The seeds were planted here.

Still my favourite.......2005-07-30

I was about 17 I guess when I lent this CD from the local library. I'd never heard of Monk, I just thought the guy on the photo looked cool and what a name: Thelonious Sphere Monk! It was a whole world opening up to me. I immediately wanted to buy this Cd but it was not available at the time, so I bought Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 1 & 2 instead (but the flow on these 2 CDs with all their alternate takes is not the quite the same as on this one). Since then, i've become a real Monk aficionado but as an introduction to his music, this is still the best there is. Each and every tune is marvellous .... you'll listen to it again and again.

Superb.......2004-02-25

Thelonius Monk is a rare artist, an artist's artist, and this album documents thoroughly the talents displayed by Monk in his early years of recording (late 1940's and early 1950's). A jazz pianist prodigy, schooled and influenced by stride, Monk instantly gravitated to the experimentalist Jazz scene known at that time as Bop. A man of many eccentricities, the most important of which was that Monk tickled the ivories like no other. When you think you've heard it all, again and again, Monk is one of the few that really stands apart.

What more can be said that has not been said by the other reviewers. Perhaps this album is not the ideal for the casual Jazz fan, wanting a taste of Monk from time to time. But its hard to imagine a Jazz piano enthusiast that won't be desiring more and more of his works with the passing of time. Purchase this album and you'll hear Bop in it's infancy. You'll hear Jazz legends such as Art Blakey, Lou Donaldson, Max Roach and Milt Jackson.

This is my personal favorite of all the Monk albums of the dozen or so in my collection despite it having the poorest recording quality. Most of the pieces on this album were re-worked/recorded and inlcuded on later albums with playing time doubled or better. Yet the shorter, original versions seem to capture the essence of each work with no musical verbosity or drowning of that rythym/melody that makes them each so special.

Despite the poor quality of sound, I couldn't find it in my power to rate this album any less than five. The rythyms are just too catchy and unique to give it any less. For someone wanting a video glimpse of the person, Thelonius Monk, check out the authentic shoot "Straight, No Chaser".

Compelling as a listening experience: also, vital history.......2002-07-31

These are the earliest Monk recordings to be issued on CD, apparently. All but one of the 16 short pieces is a Monk original, heard here in its first recorded form. Since Monk reused his compositions time and again, with all kinds of fellow players and at widely varying lengths over more than 20 years, the real Monk fan will find this a must-own, and will compare the later versions to these performances. The songs on this disc might seem sketchy and tentative to some listeners, while others may prefer them to renditions which later doubled the length of many items. There are some sidemen present who later became quite famous, such as Art Blakey on drums and Milt Jackson on vibes, but these late-40's releases are worth having because of the odd, interesting compositions and Monk's own evident talent. If you are a casual jazz fan who wants some Thelonious in the home collection, but who cares not for the historic value of the first records by a genius, try "Thelonious Monk/Sonny Rollins" or "Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane" first. Those are even better than this for pure listening pleasure. If you can afford this one as your third Monk disc, you won't be sorry.

Average customer rating: Monk is a MASTER This is the best of Monk, but...

The Essential Thelonious Monk Thelonious Monk Manufacturer: Sony 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 Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Kind of Blue The Best of the Blue Note Years Monk's Dream The Very Best of John Coltrane Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane ASIN: B00008PX91 Release Date: 2003-04-01

Tracks:

1. 'Round Midnight
2. Bemsha Swing
3. Blue Monk
4. Rhythm-A-Ning
5. Epistrophy
6. Crepuscule
7. Misterioso
8. Brilliant Corners
9. Well You Needn't
10. Ruby, My Dear (Take 3)
11. Straight, No Chaser

Customer Reviews:

Monk is a MASTER.......2006-10-27

this CD is a good overview of the music of Thelonious Monk, so if you are not prepared to go out and buy all of his CD's, just want to get a feel for his masterful piano playing, then you should buy this CD. Great selections, great recordings, you will definitely not be disappointed.

This is the best of Monk, but..........2004-09-04

Monk is my absolute favorite, I have dozens of his albums and box sets. The quality on this CD is great, the song selections are great. The only thing I would recommend is that if you plan on buying more of Monk's recordings this "Greatest Hits" CD will kind of spoil it for your. You remember the best of the Eagles, Steve Miller Band, Beatles, Elvis whatever. You'll never want to buy another album because some of the songs will be on it. If you just discovered monk go get Mysterioso, Straight No Chaser or Monk's Blues. It's not like you'll find any bad tracks on those albums, so why just eat the frosting! I love that they are remixing all this great music!

Average customer rating: There were giants in the earth in those days... MONK and TRANE An insult to two great jazz masters Monk and Trane in the Studio: The Director's Cut! That is, The Producer's Cut!

The Complete 1957 Riverside Recordings (2 CD) Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane , Thelonious Monk , and John Coltrane Manufacturer: Riverside 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 Similar Items: Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall The Legendary Prestige Quintet Sessions Fearless Leader One Down, One Up: Live at the Half Note Monk Alone: The Complete Solo Studio Recordings of Thelonious Monk 1962-1968 ASIN: B000FBHCQO Release Date: 2006-06-27

Tracks:

1. Monk's Mood (False Start)
2. Monk's Mood
3. Crepuscule With Nellie (Take 1)
4. Crepuscule With Nellie (Take 2)
5. Crepuscule With Nellie (Breakdown)
6. Blues For Tomorrow
7. Crepuscule With Nellie (Edited: Re-Takes 4 & 5)
8. Crepuscule With Nellie (Re-Take 6)
9. Off Minor (Take 4)
10. Off Minor (Take 5)

Tracks:

1. Abide With Me (Take 1)
2. Abide With Me
3. Epistrophy (Short Version)
4. Epistrophy
5. Well, You Needn't (Opening)
6. Well, You Needn't
7. Ruby, My Dear
8. Ruby, My Dear
9. Nutty
10. Trinkle, Tinkle

Amazon.com

The 2005 release of Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall brought fresh attention to a brilliant musical partnership, though one of the least recorded. While the Monk/Coltrane association lasted only a few months in 1957, it coincided with Monk's emergence as a major figure and with the first flowering of Coltrane's genius. This two-CD set collects all of their studio meetings, including previously unreleased takes. There's the surprise trio version of "Monk's Mood," which the pianist inserted in a solo album; the Monk's Music septet sessions pairing Coltrane with Coleman Hawkins (now including the errant "Blues for Tomorrow," a Gigi Gryce tune recorded when Monk fell asleep at the keyboard); and the three superb tracks that constituted the sole studio documentation of the great quartet. Coltrane manages a virtual piano part on "Trinkle Tinkle," suggesting just how musically close the two became. Producer Orrin Keepnews provides an illuminating essay on the circumstances surrounding this essential chapter in jazz history. --Stuart Broomer

Album Description

Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane are universally recognized as musical demigods. The idea of Monk and Coltrane--the genius mentor and the budding genius--on the same bandstand or in the same recording studio is like Julius Erving and Michael Jordan soaring as teammates, or Jean Renoir and Francois Truffaut collaborating on a film. For an all-too-brief, magical time in 1957, Monk and Coltrane actually did work together every night as part of a quartet led by the uniquely brilliant pianist-composer Monk at New York's now-fabled Five Spot Cafe. And between April and July of that year they made the stunning music contained herein, their complete output in the recording studio.

The planets seemed to align for Thelonious Sphere Monk (1917-1982) and John William Coltrane (1926-1967) when they joined forces in '57. Coltrane was poised to make a giant leap forward--and ready to learn from one of the masters, Monk. In a Down Beat interview Coltrane said: "Working with Monk brought me close to a musical architect of the highest order. I learned from him in every way." Some of those answers involved the way in which Coltrane's harmonic acuity developed, expressed via early intimations of his torrential "sheets of sound." With Monk's chords guiding him to places he'd never before visited, Coltrane was now on the path to transcendence. When he is joined by Coleman Hawkins, jazz's father of the tenor saxophone, on a couple of numbers from the epochal septet album Monk's Music, one hears the tenor's past, present, and future (e.g., the master take of "Epistrophy"). And listen raptly to the respective approaches of Hawkins and Coltrane on the two versions of "Ruby, My Dear," one of three signature Monk ballads in this set (the others are "Monk's Mood" and the ever-evolving "Crepuscule with Nellie").

There is such greatness on these two discs, so many wondrous performances (the rhythm team of bassist Wilbur Ware and drummers Art Blakey or Shadow Wilson is especially inspired), and so many fascinating stories about how these masterpieces came into being. Orrin Keepnews, who as producer of the original sessions was present at the creation of every note, has written a superb essay that sets the record straight, clears up long-standing rumors about what did (and did not) go down in the studio, and, above all, lets the listener in on how a genius mentor, a budding genius, and their gifted colleagues went about the business of conceiving a work of art.

Monk and Coltrane Photos

More Monk & Coltrane

Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall	Monk's Dream	The Essential Thelonious Monk
Monk Alone	A Love Supreme, John Coltrane	Blue Train, John Coltrane

Customer Reviews:

There were giants in the earth in those days..........2007-07-17

And their names were Monk, Coltrane, Blakey, and Hawkins. One blessed day in 1957 (or several, actually) they all got together in a studio, joined by a few lesser lights, and performed some of Monk's greatest compositions.

There's something electric about Monk and Blakey together. Add the tempestuous Coltrane to the mix and you have a keg of gunpowder. They make us realize how pat later performances of these compositions could sound. Particularly exciting is the first attempt at Epistrophy, with Blakey doing some wild drumming even for him. Unfortunately, because of a breakdown after Ray Copeland's trumpet solo, they had to do it again, and the second take sounds a bit more warmed over. There are still great moments, however, such as a powerful Coleman Hawkins tenor solo. The great Bean seems to be telling the youngersters "You are great, but I am still greater, after 30 years." And he was. The only player from his generation to really adapt to bebop, his reputation has faded a bit recently. He's not in the same parthenon as Parker, Coltrane, Davis, etc., but he should be, easily. His knowledge of the harmonic underpinnings of all these tunes is just astonishing, and his knotty solos demonstrate that he understood the function of every note in every chord in every tune. He is one of the most *thorough* musicians in jazz history.

While trumpeter Copeland and alto Gigi Gryce really don't fit in here (Gryce in particular is out of his element...I wonder why he was picked, and can only imagine how much better Sahib Shihab would have been) the rest of the cast is superb, with bassist Wilbur Ware and drummers Blakey and on some tracks Shadow Wilson lending inspired support. On Trinkle Tinkle and Nutty you can hear Trane experimenting with his "sheets of sound" technique, while in other, earlier tracks he is still heavily influenced by hard bop. In other words, you can hear his style change across the album. While there are too many Crepuscule With Nellies for my taste, the rest of the album is superb. Sound is extremely good (despite a few dropouts here and there) for the time, or even by today's standards. And producer Orrin Keepnews' liner notes are informative and make you feel like you are there. While some of the solos meander, and Copeland and Gryce are clearly trying to find their way (and occasionally getting lost, even on the tracks that got used) Trane and Monk and Blakey contribute first-class jazz. After you digest this terrific set, check out the recently-unearthed Monk and Trane at Carnegie Hall.

MONK and TRANE.......2007-01-11

First I'd like to preface that I am not a musician or Jazz expert, but a Jazz enthusiast. I was a little leary about purchasing this CD because of the bad review and all the outtakes on the discography, but the price was right.

If you get this CD you'll be pleasantly surprised at the audio and musical quality of the songs and alternate takes. The little booklet inside was informative without being verbose.

Highly recommended!

An insult to two great jazz masters.......2006-07-29

If you prefer the outtakes and the interviews on a movie DVD then you'll love this album. If you like to hear the best of the best then forget it. This album is of no real historic or musical value.

Monk and Trane in the Studio: The Director's Cut! That is, The Producer's Cut!.......2006-06-28

With the recently-released Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane Carnegie Hall CD selling extraordinarily well, the next logical step was to create a companion set of their studio recordings. On cue, THE COMPLETE 1957 RIVERSIDE RECORDINGS steps into the marketplace. Basically this set is the audio equivalent of a "Director's Cut" video release, but in this case it's producer Orrin Keepnews' labor of love.

For some the contents of this set may be too much of a good thing, given the number of alternate takes (plus the inclusion of several cuts from the same sessions that are missing one of the two key musicians). Ten tunes are featured among the twenty tracks included on the two CDs. However, for most listeners the multiple takes will be welcome. Both Monk and Coltrane almost always find something unique to say in their solos, although the five takes of "Crepuscule With Nellie" arguably do get a bit repetitive. Even so, bottom-of-the-barrel Monk and Trane out-takes would be over-the-top-of-the-barrel for most other musicians. Furthermore, I was surprised to find that two tracks are released here for the first time. Not to mention the master takes, which belong in the front wing of any jazz hall-of-fame!

Monk and Coltrane's names may be the only ones on the front cover, but the other musicians are among jazz's all-time greats as well, including tenor sax legend Coleman Hawkins on one session. There's really nothing more I can write than to say that these recordings are historically important, and timeless in their ability to sound fresh and innovative even a half-century after they were recorded. It's hard to find any jazz recordings over the course of its entire history that are more crucial than these Monk and Coltrane sessions.

Average customer rating: Yeah Monk! Accessable yet personal Excellent My favorite Monk album Perfect album for a late summer night...

Straight, No Chaser Thelonious Monk Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Monk's Dream Mingus Ah Um Criss-Cross Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane ASIN: B000002AD6 Release Date: 1996-08-27

Tracks:

1. Locomotive
2. I Didn't Know About You - Take 4
3. Straight, No Chaser
4. Japanese Folk Song [Kojo No Tsuki]
5. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
6. We See
7. This Is My Story, This Is My Song
8. I Didn't Know About You - Take 1
9. Green Chimneys

Album Description

The Definitive and Complete Straight, No Chaser!

Thelonious Monk's fruitful tenure at Columbia Records resulted in several classic recordings, and coincided with having his portrait on the cover of Time magazine--a distinction bestowed on only five jazz artists.

Straight, No Chaser is undeniably one of those classics, and finds Monk in the good company of his long-time companions--Charlie Rouse, Larry Gales, and Ben Riley.

For this CD, reissue producer Orrin Keepnews has added approximately 25 minutes of never-before-heard Monk, meticulously re-editing lost portions of issued titles while discovering two complete, previously unissued performances.

Customer Reviews:

Yeah Monk!.......2007-06-02

This is great, including four of Monk's most stellar performances. You've got a superlong remake of the title track, one of his most famous songs, which is most certainly great listening; the mid-tempo, bluesy Locomotive, I Didn't Know About You (an Ellington cover, can't really go wrong with those), and the lengthy but fascinating Japanese Folk Song. Some issues, though: Monk's one of the best-ever pianists, but I've always preferred it when he worked with a small group to when he went solo - hence, the two unaccompanied piano solos, both standards (Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea; This Is My Story, This Is My Song) are easily the album's only two weak moments. And while I'm perfectly okay with We See, the fact is that it's a bit too long for its own good.
Classic release though, make sure you have this in your Monk collection.

Accessable yet personal.......2006-05-16

4 1/2 stars

Now this is a Monk classic. This overabundant album version thrives off of the pianist's unique ability to merge his vast playing techniques with the wonderful supporting cast in order to bring us one of his most accessable albums that push more of his piano heavy compositions to the forefront. This in turn provides an album that is not mired by it's homage to ancient formalities of transition, which can effect even the great jazz classics, staying relevent and engaging in a completely different context then what usually was heard.

Excellent.......2006-03-16

Excellent title. Thelonious Monk-piano, Charlie Rouse-sax, Larry Gales-bass and Ben Riley-drums. This is my second Monk's title (Underground). In my opinion, this is a Charlie's Rouse best title. Absolutely beautiful CD.

My favorite Monk album.......2006-02-26

The lengthy version of this classic album is an especially worthwhile jazz classic. Though none of the songs shine quite as brightly as "Brilliant Corners", "Locomotive", the title track, "We See". And "Japense Folk Song" are all lengthy, meaty songs. The gospel song "This Is My Story" is a short demonstration of Monk's sense of rhythm (someone once asked me why I was listening to a beginner piano player when that song was on the stereo). Charlie Rouse's playing is excellent throughout. All in all, this is one of Monk's best albums.

Perfect album for a late summer night..........2005-12-31

Ok, I'm not a jazz expert. In fact, the reviews of this album already convey how special it is more than adequately, and the rating was already 5 stars before I posted. Still, in my inspired yet ultimately futile quest to review my entire album collection, I will chip in my 2 cents.

The first jazz album I ever owned, or even really listened to from start to finish, was "Kind of Blue" by Miles Davis. Since then, whenever I think of the term "jazz music", my mind conjures the sounds of that album, and a few others, as a definition of the term. Thelonious Monk's "Straight, No Chaser" is one of those few.

Although I love Monk's work with John Coltrane, I believe that this is his warmest, most accessible album. Monk's angular, overtly logical piano playing can come across cold or distant at times. Here, that's not the case, despite the playing being as brilliant as ever. You can enjoy this as background music at a low volume, or you can study the music intently, and it still bears several repeat listens.

Whether you think you like jazz or not, you should pick up this album. Pull it out on a warm spring or summer evening when you're entertaining a few guests, and throw it on. Accompany it with your choice of cigar and fine spirit (straight, of course) and enjoy.

Average customer rating: The Genius of Thelonius (Hey, it sort of rhymes) 2 stars PLEASE 0 stars 4U Good starter set for the mystic Monk... not a bad choice to start Fabulous!

Thelonious Monk - Greatest Hits Thelonious Monk Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Bebop | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Bebop | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane Kind of Blue The Very Best of John Coltrane Mingus Ah Um The Essential Charlie Parker ASIN: B000002ALI Release Date: 1997-12-09

Tracks:

1. Well You Needn't
2. Misterioso
3. Bemsha Swing
4. 'Round Midnight
5. Epistrophy
6. Ruby, My Dear
7. Crepuscule With Nellie
8. Blue Monk
9. Straight, No Chaser

Customer Reviews:

The Genius of Thelonius (Hey, it sort of rhymes).......2005-07-29

I LOVE this album! It's a great live collection, containing classics Well You Needn't (My favorite Monk tune), Mysterioso (an awesome title), 'Round Midnight (Any jazz fan should know that one), Blue Monk (Another great title!) and Straight, No Chaser (My second-favorite Monk number). The shorter numbers aren't as good as the "Big Five", Ruby My Dear is a slightly weak piano solo, Crepsullie (or whatever it is) with Nellie and Epistrophy (Two more great titles!) are okay. Epistrophy is too quick.
I wish Ask Me Now and Thelonius had been included, but this is a great record.

2 stars PLEASE 0 stars 4U.......2004-02-28

The 2 stars review is nonsense. I first picked this album up pon vinyl when I was a teenager (about 14). I was curious about it because of a version of Well You Needn't I had on an album by Kenny Burrell. "Greatest Hits" may have been a silly title for any release by Monk, particularly in the 60's. But the music it contained captured my attention and drew me to seek out more of Monk's music. Though I now own most of the albums from which these selections came, I still like the sequence in which they appear here. I purchased it again, when it came out on CD and was delighted to have it. Not a bad song or performance in the lot. Great as most of the Monk albums are, there is the occasional clunker that I skip at every play. Not so here. The Ruby My Dear gets me today, just as it did when I was a 14 year old kid and hearing it (and being amazed) for the first time.
If your curious about Monk, jump in right here, the water is fine (and plenty deep).

Good starter set for the mystic Monk..........2003-01-21

An earlier reviewer thinks it is disrespectful to Monk's other albums to create a "Greatest Hits." I disagree, because some beginners on low budgets need an entry-level CD to a musician this prolific and complex. I quickly learned in the late 50's and early 60's that I preferred my own tastes to someone else's selections, after investing in several "Greatest Hits" collections. I can't imagine anyone who buys this one either being unhappy with it, or ending here. You need to know this about Thelonious: he recycled his favorite compositions time and again, using different combos and soloists, leading with the piano or receding as he felt the spirit. "Epistrophy" on this CD takes only two-and-a-half minutes using TEN players. It takes three minutes on "Best of the Blue Note Years" with only four players. The version on "Greatest Hits" is from 1963 and the other one from 1948. Other tunes common to both albums, 15 years apart, are "Well You Needn't" and "Misterioso" and "Round Midnight" and "Ruby My Dear" and "Straight, No Chaser." Yet these are quite different recordings. I happen to like the '60's versions you are about to buy better than the '40's first recordings, but others will differ. It's comparing Mercedes to BMW, even though the versions were "written" by the same guy, and performed by the same cat. "Ruby My Dear" on Blue Note takes three minutes in a trio version. It takes twice as long on the Columbia disc although Monk plays it solo. "Well You Needn't" takes three minutes on Blue Note in '48 with a trio, and nearly 13 minutes on "Greatest Hits" with a quartet. You get the idea. Don't think that if you buy a Monk release with the same titles you'll be getting the same listening experience. That is part of what makes him fascinating. I believe the CD we are discussing is a worthy buy, especially for a newcomer. I also agree that no one who likes jazz or piano or genius can possibly stop right here and be satisfied.

not a bad choice to start.......2001-01-16

unlike many 'greatest hits' collections that aren't, this one includes some of his best compositions and recordings.

so this is a certainly good place to start.

but don't presume that this one record is sufficient for it honestly only scratches the surface of his genius.

Fabulous!.......2000-06-30

Although I haven't listened to enough different recordings of Monk to compare the quality of the tracks found here to other Monk albums, I was absolutely wowed by the quality of the music. This isn't the kind of "good music" that you have to try hard to appreciate. It just sails along through the afternoon with you, and it definitely had me up dancing and grooving along at some points. Best of all, it got me out of a rut that I'd been in with my poetry. Jazz, great jazz, should have that effect. To try to pick my favorite tracks would be ridiculous; they're all sublime. Perhaps the ultimate compliment is that listening to this CD made me want to get my hands on more of his music. Bravo to a true musical genius, Thelonious Monk!

Jazz Music:

1. Walk On
2. Way Out West
3. Yellow Peril: Revenge of the Jap Jazz, Vol. 1
4. Zoot
5. A Guitar Thing
6. A I Got No Kick Against Modern Jazz
7. A Night at the Vanguard [Live]
8. Akisakila, Vol. 2
9. All About My Girl
10. Alto Madness

Jazz Music

jazz music