Carmen McRae: Carmen Sings Monk

Carmen Sings Monk is just one of five new reissues in BMG’s First Editions series, released under the rejuvenated Bluebird Jazz label. Other titles in the series’ first offering include Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney (Fancy Meeting You Here), Coleman Hawkins (The Hawk in Hi-Fi), Charles Mingus (Tijuana Moods) and Gil Scott-Heron (Free Will). Each release features enhanced sound quality, detailed liner notes, archival photographs and in most cases, special bonus/unreleased tracks. Recorded in 1988, Carmen Sings Monk contains two live tracks recorded at The Great American Music Hall, 11 original studio tracks, and five bonus/alternative selections. Adding words to Thelonious Monk's complex, quirky compositions would pose a challenge to any lyricist, but Jon Hendricks (who did half the songs), Abbey Lincoln, Bernie Hanighen, Sally Swisher and Mike Ferro did a beautiful job. Of course, Carmen McRae’s unique phrasing and subtle humour is perfectly suited to the lyrics, making this one of the finest recordings of her distinguished career. On the studio tracks McRae receives marvelous support from Clifford Jordan (tenor), Eric Gunnison (piano), George Mraz (bass) and Al Foster (drums); while former Monk tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse and pianist Larry Willis perform on the live cuts. Inspired.