The third of three
Black Lion LPs taken from
Thelonious Monk's final recording session as a leader features the unique pianist/composer on six solo performances (including the ten-minute "Chordially," which documents him warming up) and five trio numbers with bassist
Al McKibbon and drummer
Art Blakey. A special bonus of this CD is that three alternate takes ("Nutty," "Crepuscule with Nellie" and "Evidence") were previously unissued, even on Mosaic's "complete"
Thelonious Monk Black Lion and Vogue LP box set. Although virtually at the end of his career,
Monk sounds quite content throughout this date and is in top form. All three CDs are also available in a compact Black Lion box set, and they serve as a strong close to the career of the remarkable
Thelonious Monk. ~ Scott Yanow
