Thelonious Monk - Monks Music Hybr (8 tracks) +Album Reviews

A Jazz Masterpiece

jazzfanmn | 03/08/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Monk's Music" is be-bop at it's best. Thelonious' inovative style of composition and mastery of the keys as both a member of the rhythm section and a soloist are exemplified on this 1957 Riverside recording. He is joined by, among others, John Coltrane, Art Blakely and the infamous Coleman Hawkins. Coltrane's unique phrasing pairs well with Monk's disodent harmonies. Hawkins, in contrast to Coltrane, gives the combo a smooth sound during his colorfull improvisations. Blakey, an excelent percussionist, fits in well with the choppy feel of Monk's progressions. His energetic style is the backbone of one of the best assembled rhythme sections of the era. Overall this is a great c.d. superbly performed by all involved. But perhaps if the bonus tracks were delayed until the end of the album the listener could enjoy "Monk's Music" as Thelonious intended. Overall this is an excellent recording and one of Monk's best albums."

An absolute classic!

jazzfanmn | St Cloud, MN United States | 08/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you have even a vague notion of jazz luminaries this album will turn your head. Piano/leader: Thelonious Monk, tenor saxophone: Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane, drums: Art Blakey, bass: Wilbur Ware, along with the underrated Gigi Gryce on alto saxophone and Ray Copeland on trumpet, this is a formidable lineup. Many recordings boast star studded line ups such as this and fail to deliver at the level of those involved. What about this one? Well lets just check out the tracks on this landmark album. Following the pastoral horns only "Abide With Me", one is lead straight into one of the most fantastic recordings in jazz. "Well, You Needn't", opens with its grand theme into an inspired Monk solo, right into Monk hollering "Coltrane! Coltrane!" to wake a snoozing Coltrane, a priceless injoke once you know the story. Following insprired solos by the entire listed personnell the theme is reprised and finished. That 12 plus minutes is worth the admission alone and is only the first two tracks of eight! Hawkins' interpretation of "Ruby My Dear is simply beautiful. "Off Minor" finds two takes of the entire personnel digging into the material and finding gold. Monk's "theme" "Epistrophy", he often closed live sets with it, is given a definative treatment. It all is finished with two versions of the laid back and playful "Crepuscule With Nellie". This album along with "Brilliant Corners" solidified Monk in the jazz mainstream from his obscure "muscians' musician" status, where he remains to this day. This album is a testament to the compositional and arranging skills of Monk, and the musical skill of all those involved. This is a must have for all serious jazz collections!"

Incredible session!!

G B | 08/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The amazing line up of talent alone would be worth 5 stars. The musicians are all in top-notch form--including Coltrane, who was in the worst days of drug addiction at this time (in fact the reason Monk calls out "Coltrane! Coltrane!" before a solo was because Coltrane had nodded off...this according to Art Blakey and others). Great stuff. You wont be disappointed"

Monk wants you to get on that wagon with him. NOW.

G B | Connecticut | 12/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Somewhat oddly, Brilliant Corners seems to be really popular here at Amazon while Monk's Music languishes in relative obscurity. That's too bad, because these albums are like twins -- the first albums consisting of primarily Monk compositions to hit it big with the jazz public. Like Brilliant Corners, Monk's Music includes some older Monk tunes which, because of his earlier obscurity, were often new to the public. "Epistrophy", "Ruby, My Dear", "Off Minor" and "Well You Needn't" were all recorded by Monk in the late 40s on Blue Note records. But because the LP didn't exist in the 40s, all those recordings were pretty short -- 4 minutes, tops -- and didn't really let the musicians stretch out. On this album, they get that chance to stretch. Monk also introduces a new composition: the knotty but beautiful ballad "Crepescule with Nellie". This album is also hyped (deservedly so) for featuring the only recorded meeting of Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane. Hawkins was the first major tenor saxophonist in jazz, way back in the 20s; Coltrane would be the dominant tenor of the 60s. Hawkins had hired Monk back in the 40s, when the language of bebop was still strange to many listeners and musicians; Coltrane would soon be hired by Monk for their fabled engagement at the Five Spot. Anyway, it's terrific to hear both the emerging giant and the mature master tackle Monk's music. I guess I shouldn't sell the other personnel short either. Ray Copeland (trumpet) and Gigi Gryce (alto sax) round out the front line. Wilbur Ware would be Monk's bassist for the Five spot gigs. And Art Blakey, who is in my mind the perfect accompanist for Monk, plays drums. This is one of my favorite Monk recordings on the Riverside label, and I predict that it will probably be yours too. Along with Brilliant Corners and Monk & Coltrane, it is a great introduction to Thelonious Sphere Monk. You might want to look for the slightly more expensive 20-bit remastered version, which probably sounds better than the original 80s CD issue."

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	Thelonious Monk Monk's Music (Hybr) Genres: Jazz, Pop Track Listings (8) - Disc #1 Abide with Me - Thelonious Monk, Traditional Well, You Needn't Ruby, My Dear Off Minor (Take 5) [Take] Off Minor (Take 4) [][Take] Epistrophy - Thelonious Monk, Clarke, Kenny Crepuscule with Nellie (Take 6) [Take] Crepuscule with Nellie (Takes 4 and 5) [][Take]
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