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Thelonious Monk: Thelonious Monk
The last three tracks were recorded a year before in New York with tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins, bassist Percy Heath, French horn player Julius Watkins and drummer Willie Jones. A dramatic shift from the first set, the tone is dark, moody and methodically paced. Rollins' effortless riffs complement Monk's catchy avant-garde melodies and creative harmonization. It's interesting to compare two back-to-back takes of "Think of One." The subtle differences reveal themselves upon repeat listens. The second take has a tighter intro based heavily on the song's chord progression with a piano flourish punctuating the end phrase. In general, notes are chosen with more care, though the solos on the first version take more risks. This dichotomy sums up the two sides of Monk's playing.
The first set shows a penchant for melody while the second captures an innovator mixing up the status quo in search of a new and exciting sound. Both are important to understanding his rare talent.
Track Listing
On The Bean; Recollections; Flyin' Hawk; Drifting On A Reed; Sweet And Lovely; Little Rootie Tootie; Bye-Ya; Monk's Dream; Trinkle Trinkle; These Foolish Things; Bemsha Swing; Reflections; Let's Call This; Think Of One; Friday The 13th; We See; Smoke Gets In Your Eyes; Locomotive; Hackensack; Work; Nutty; Just A Gigolo; Blue Monk; I Want To Be Happy; The Way You Look Tonight; More Than You Know; Bemsha Swing.
Personnel
Thelonious Monk
pianoDenzil Best, Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke, Ray Copeland, Miles Davis, Frank Foster, Coleman Hawkins, Percy Heath, Milt Jackson, Willie Jones, Gary Mapp, Tommy Potter, Max Roach, Edward "Bass" Robinson, Sonny Rollins, Curly Russell, Art Taylor, Julius Watkins.
Album information
Title: Thelonious Monk | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Prestige Records
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