Record Reviews

THELONIOUS MONK ~ COMPLETE COLUMBIA STUDIO ALBUMS COLLECTION SONY 886979576827 (Barcode: 886979576827) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1962 - 1968 Released: 2012 Although most often associated with the Bebop genre, American pianist / composer Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist was in fact one of the very few Jazz icons, that managed to create a completely personal style, unlike any another before or after. His playing and his compositions were absolutely outrageous, unconventional and plainly weird. Strange chord changes, aggressive attack, long out of nowhere glissandos and those unexpected pauses in the most unexpected places created a musical experience, which logically made no sense whatsoever but in practice sounded most wonderfully. As many other human geniuses, he is therefore often suspected of being an alien stranded on our pitiful planet. Monk started to record in the mid-1940s as part of the Bebop explosion and over the years worked with Blue NoteFind albums on this label, PrestigeFind albums on this label and RiversideFind albums on this label labels, but his last, longest and most stable and productive period was spent with ColumbiaFind albums on this label records in the 1960s, when these albums were originally recorded. These are the quartet recordings, made with his quartet, which lasted for eleven years and was his preferential vehicle. It included the saxophonist Charlie RouseFind albums by this artist, who was the quartet´s member for that entire duration, bassist John OreFind albums by this artist and later Butch WarrenFind albums by this artist and Larry GalesFind albums by this artist and drummer Frankie DunlopFind albums by this artist and later Ben RileyFind albums by this artist. The music on these albums is a mixture of Monk originals (the majority of the material), some of which were previously recorded on other labels, and his treatment of standards, which of course are often quite remote from the origin. The playing is absolutely stunning, not only by Monk but also by Rouse, who surely deserves the title of the most underrated saxophonist in Jazz history. The quartet format was best serving Monk´s idiosyncratic style and manner, but he also recorded in other formats, like piano solo. Some of his remarkable live performances were also released on Columbia and hopefully all that material will be released in the future as part of the Box Set series. These six albums, remastered and expanded with numerous bonus tracks and accompanied by informative liner notes constitute some of the most important Jazz music ever recorded, which gets better with time and penetrates deeper every time it is listened to. There is no way and serious Jazz buff can afford not having this in his collection; that would be simply sacrilegious. And next time you open your door to a small green humanoid with a couple of antennas on his head, just play him some Monk; he´ll surely dig it!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

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THELONIOUS MONK ~ THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA LIVE ALBUMS COLLECTION SONY 886979958029 (Barcode: 886979958029) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1963 - 1969 Released: 2015 This phenomenal Box Set includes all the live albums recorded by the iconic Jazz Master, pianist / composer Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist, and released on ColumbiaFind albums on this label Records. It comprises of five 2CD sets, with each of the sets presenting complete / expanded versions of albums, which originally included only parts of the recorded concerts and often were spread over more than one album. This set finally sorts out all the confusion about these recordings and puts things in their correct order and placement, and therefore is a truly momentous documentation of Monk´s work. Most of this amazing music was recorded within just two years, namely in 1963 and 1964, with just a few additional tracks recorded live at various locations between 1965 and 1969, which were originally part of the soundtrack of the documentary movie "Thelonious Monk: Straight No Chaser". Most of the music was recorded in a quartet setting with saxophonist Charlie RouseFind albums by this artist, bassist Butch WarrenFind albums by this artist and drummer Frankie DunlopFind albums by this artist (1963) or bassist Larry GalesFind albums by this artist and drummer Ben RileyFind albums by this artist (1964), with just one set recorded by a Big Band (well actually a tentet) with the 1963 quartet plus trumpeters Thad JonesFind albums by this artist and Nick TravisFind albums by this artist and saxophonists Eddie BertFind albums by this artist, Steve LacyFind albums by this artist, Phil WoodsFind albums by this artist and Gene AllenFind albums by this artist – a dreamy lineup by any respect. Considering the fact that this music was recorded basically within a very concise period of time, the basic material, i.e. the compositions used, is quite repetitive and some compositions are repeated several times (for example "Epistrophy" is performed thirteen times), which might have been a drawback but in fact turns out to be a blessing which allows us plainly to witness the Monk genius, with each and every version of the tune being different from every other version. The meaning of improvisation and the limitless power of the human mind are reflected within these sounds and captured for posterity. Overall this Box Set contains so much absolutely brilliant music that it weight could be measured in pure gold. There are no dull moments herein whatsoever and every note tells the story of Jazz and the prodigious talent of the Monk phenomenon, which knows no equals. It is a Bible of music, which should be studied by all those who call themselves Jazz musicians, and revered by Jazz fans of all ages. Hopefully this Box Set will expose this brilliant music to new generations of listeners the world over. Obviously this Box Set should become an essential part of every serious music collection, as it is eternal and timeless and will stay so as long as music matters.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 07/02/2016

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