Customer Reviews

Brilliant Corners: A Bio-Discography of Thelonious Monk (Discographies: Association for Recorded Sound Collections Discographic Reference)

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Chris Sheridan's "Brilliant Corners" is a very comprehensive and detailed resource of the recordings of the genius pianist Thelonious Sphere Monk. The strength of this book lies in the many myths and falsehoods it dispels about Monk's career, from his early pioneering days at Minton's Playhouse to the near-debacle of his final Columbia recording (which is not nearly as bad as the author insists, at least not in its entirety). I was a bit misled by the title, for while this is a discography of the highest order, the biographical inclusions are kept to a minimum. In fact, the author will often tease the reader by referencing some important fact of "Mr. Monk's" life that influenced a certain recording, only to refer the reader to another book to get even a fraction of the story. This book is essential for collectors, and often fascinating for hardcore Monk devotees, but certainly not recommended for the casual jazz fan. Those interested in Thelonious Monk's life should check out "The Thelonious Monk Reader" edited by Rob Van Der Bliek (Search for 019512166X), or "Straight, No Chaser: The Life and Genius of Thelonious Monk" by Leslie Gourse (Search for 0825672295).