THELONIOUS MONK: IT'S MONK'S TIME (MONO)

Performer: Thelonious Monk, piano; Charlie Rouse, tenor saxophone; Butch Warren, double bass; Ben Riley, drums
Composer: Thelonious Monk
Number of records: 1
Barcode: 4260019714152
Label: Speakers Corner
Format: LP
Genre: Jazz
Year: 2012

With its three compositions by Thelonious Monk, this 1964 record could almost be retitled “Three Standards and Three Monks.” With this extraordinary album, the artist often described as the great high priest of bebop reached a new peak in his incomparable career, earning acclaim in a large number of concerts and festivals with his remarkable, highly skilled, and perfectly integrated quartet.

Like in a dream, the three musicians perform these seemingly simple yet rhythmically complex pieces, constantly interrupted by Monk’s astonishing piano solos. On stage, Monk would often stand up and walk around the piano with the gestures of a trained bear, wearing one of his characteristic hats. He would drop back onto the piano stool after Charlie Rouse’s solos, keep time by stamping his large foot, and tap the piano with his ring, bringing to life extraordinary improvisations through his distinctive “false fingering” technique.

A warm recommendation to all jazz enthusiasts: if you wish to discover some of the most glorious pages of your favorite genre, listen to Thelonious Monk’s recordings, and above all this highly promising album titled It’s Monk Time, reissued today by Speakers Corner with outstanding sound quality.

Thelonious Monk, piano
Charlie Rouse, tenor saxophone
Butch Warren, double bass
Ben Riley, drums

Tracklist:

Lulu’s Back In Town
Memories Of You
Stuffy Turkey
Brake’s Sake
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Shuffle Boil