Monk's Dream

by Thelonious Monk, Thelonious Monk Quartet

Overview

Monk's Dream marked the beginning of Thelonious Monk's six-year association with Columbia, and though it broke little new ground with the appearance of only one new composition ("Bright Mississippi," based on the chord changes to "Sweet Georgia Brown"), he finally began to reach a wider audience with his first major-label contract. Accompanied by tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, bassist John Ore, and drummer Frankie Dunlop, the album became Monk's best-selling release of his entire career. The quartet is in top notch form during the four studio sessions taped in the fall of 1962 which make up the disc. Although the focus is frequently on Rouse's enthusiastic solos, Monk's solo tracks prove to be the most interesting selections. His jagged reworking of "Body and Soul" shows his mixes stride piano with an inventive, unpredictable right hand, while Monk's often hesitant approach to "Just a Gigolo" proves to be quite humorous, whether or not it was his intention. This expanded 2002 reissue adds four alternate takes, three of which are previously unreleased, and it should be considered an essential purchase for anyone interested in his works. ~ Ken Dryden

Product Details

Release Date:	09/03/2002
Label:	Legacy
UPC:	0074646353622
Rank:	2089

Tracks

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

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Thelonious Monk Quartet   Primary Artist
Thelonious Monk   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals
Charlie Rouse   Guest Artist,Sax (Tenor)
Sonny Rollins   Sax (Tenor)
Oscar Pettiford   Bass
Frankie Dunlop   Drums
Max Roach   Drums
Art Blakey   Drums
Gary Mapp   Bass
Ernie Henry   Sax (Alto)
John Ore   Bass

Technical Credits

Teo Macero   Producer,Remix Producer
Bob Weinstock   Original Recording Producer
Frank Eyton   Composer
Leonello Casucci   Composer
Jules LeMare   Composer
Julius Brammer   Composer
Thelonious Monk   Composer,Performer
Thelonious Monk Quartet   Performer
Orrin Keepnews   Original Recording Producer
Peter Keepnews   Liner Notes
Gus Arnheim   Composer
Tim Geelan   Engineer,Remixing
Harry Tobias   Composer
Irving Caesar   Composer
Edward Heyman   Composer
Johnny Green   Composer
Robert Sour   Composer