Solo Monk

by Thelonious Monk

Overview

The mystery and haunting angular beauty of Thelonious Monk's unadorned keyboard sides are the focus of Solo Monk. As if holding the history of jazz in his hands, Monk's solo recordings and performances from every phase of his career remain pure. The components of what made Monk such an uncompromising composer, arranger, and especially bandmember are evident in every note he plays. The disc includes both Monk originals as well as several covers of pop music standards. A majority of these sides were cut during a West Coast swing in late October and early November 1964. This highly productive jaunt would likewise yield two live releases: Live at the It Club and Live at the Jazz Workshop; both would feature Monk's quartet. On an emotional level, however, these sides arguably surpass many of the band recordings. "Sweet and Lovely" contains several passages that are played with the command and intensity usually demanded of a classical work. The intense yet sophisticated chord progressions that punctuate "Ruby, My Dear" transform what once were simple pop melodies into unaccompanied rhapsodies. Monk transforms the solitude of "Everything Happens to Me" into a minor bop masterpiece replete with his signature disjointed phrasings and variable pacing. Parties interested in a more complete retrospective of Thelonious Monk's '60s solo recordings should also check out Monk Alone: The Complete Columbia Solo Piano Recordings 1962-1968. ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	02/11/2014
Label:	Music On Vinyl
UPC:	8718469533374

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Thelonious Monk   Primary Artist,Piano

Technical Credits

Teo Macero   Producer,Original Recording Producer
Paul Weston   Composer
Ray Noble   Composer
Eddie DeLange   Composer
Jack Strachey   Composer
Larry Keyes   Digital Engineer,Digital Restoration
Joe Young   Composer
Sam M. Lewis   Composer
Jules LeMare   Composer
Axel Stordahl   Composer
James Van Heusen   Composer
Martin Williams   Original Liner Notes
Matt Dennis   Composer
Thelonious Monk   Composer
Harry Akst   Composer
Al J. Neiburg   Composer
Gordon Clifford   Composer
Harry Link   Composer
Harry Tobias   Composer
Michael Brooks   Digital Producer
Doc Daugherty   Composer
Ellis Reynolds   Composer
Gary Pacheco   Project Director
Holt Marvell   Composer
Tom Adair   Composer
Gus Arnheim   Composer
Harry Barris   Composer
Sammy Cahn   Composer
Tadashi Narita   Liner Notes
Lee Jeske   Liner Notes
Paul M. Martin   Art Direction
Paul Davis   Cover Art,Illustrations