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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Hearing Thelonious Monk as a solo pianist is always a unique experience-- his style, always rather unique in its use of space and rhythm, picks up a delicate stride feel to it when presented without other instruments. After four quartet albums, in late 1964 Columbia record Monk in a solo context, on an album cleverly called "Solo Monk". This reissue augments the original twelve song album with nine bonus tracks, creating a rather extensive set.
The album itself is the usual blend of Monk originals and standards-- Monk's stride (and to a lesser extent ragtime) influences come out clearly through many fo the standards he tackles, with fantastic takes of "Dinah" and "I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)" being deep in the stride tradition (although there is definitely something very Monkish about them. Comparing these to the very Monkish "I Surrender, Dear" or the extraordinarily fractured "I Should Care" shows the real breadth of Monk's talents as a pianist. The originals include two pieces never before recorded-- "North of the Sunset" and "Monk's Point". Both are similar (Bb blues with stride execution), neither are particularly revalatory. Readings of "Ask Me Now" and "Ruby, My Dear" fare much better. The former has both a deliberate and sensitive feel to it. The latter is one of those pieces I can just never get sick of, it's one of my favorites by Monk and is rendered beautifully.
The bonus tracks are kind of a mixed bag-- seven are alternates of material that was issued on the LP-- some of these are interesting and you wonder why Monk picked the take he did rather than the one on here ("Ruby, My Dear"), some of them clearly find Monk fumbling a bit and trying to work out his ideas ("Dinah", "Sweet and Lovely").... Read more ›
The album itself is the usual blend of Monk originals and standards-- Monk's stride (and to a lesser extent ragtime) influences come out clearly through many fo the standards he tackles, with fantastic takes of "Dinah" and "I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)" being deep in the stride tradition (although there is definitely something very Monkish about them. Comparing these to the very Monkish "I Surrender, Dear" or the extraordinarily fractured "I Should Care" shows the real breadth of Monk's talents as a pianist. The originals include two pieces never before recorded-- "North of the Sunset" and "Monk's Point". Both are similar (Bb blues with stride execution), neither are particularly revalatory. Readings of "Ask Me Now" and "Ruby, My Dear" fare much better. The former has both a deliberate and sensitive feel to it. The latter is one of those pieces I can just never get sick of, it's one of my favorites by Monk and is rendered beautifully.
The bonus tracks are kind of a mixed bag-- seven are alternates of material that was issued on the LP-- some of these are interesting and you wonder why Monk picked the take he did rather than the one on here ("Ruby, My Dear"), some of them clearly find Monk fumbling a bit and trying to work out his ideas ("Dinah", "Sweet and Lovely").... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
"..Monk's unique piano style was largely perfected during his stint as the house pianist at 'Mintons' in New York City during the early to mid 1940's when he participated in the famous after hours 'cutting competitions' that featured most of the leading jazz soloist of the period.The Minton's scene was crucial in the formulations of the be-bop genre,and brought Monk in close contact with Charlie Parker,Dizzy Gillepie,Kenny Clarke and other greats of the day..."[Excerpts from a profile of Monk on Wikipedia] Minton's was the breeding ground for the devolopment of a new musical language.New harmonic and melodic approaches were developed and perfected. A 'thinking tank' so to speak.
Thelonious Monk was 'smack dab' in the middle of it.So taking that all into consideration on this recording we have the unique oppurtunity of hearing the master by himself,with the added pleasure of a perfectly tuned piano.One of great masters of the improvised line,along with his strikingly original harmonic ideas makes this a real treat.The tune list is a mixture of originals and standards such as 'I Should Care'(Weston/Stordahl),'Everything Happens to Me'(Dennis-Adair),and his own classic 'Ruby My Dear'.This comes highly recommended.
Health and Happiness
Thelonious Monk was 'smack dab' in the middle of it.So taking that all into consideration on this recording we have the unique oppurtunity of hearing the master by himself,with the added pleasure of a perfectly tuned piano.One of great masters of the improvised line,along with his strikingly original harmonic ideas makes this a real treat.The tune list is a mixture of originals and standards such as 'I Should Care'(Weston/Stordahl),'Everything Happens to Me'(Dennis-Adair),and his own classic 'Ruby My Dear'.This comes highly recommended.
Health and Happiness
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If I ever build a memory capsule with my children, for their children, this will be going down in it. I have 2 copies now, one un-opened, and one in heavy rotation in my multi disc carousel. This album far surpasses that of today's standard of music. From tracks 1 through 12, and on to the additional 9 tracks, the album has no flaws.
"Monk's Point" demonstrates his uncanny ability to show us the way and keep us on the path to solemn and effecient music.The many cultural overtones presented on this album are that of a musical visionary, who not only knew how to perform music, but to live music.
At only 24 years old myself, as well being an actor and a singer, this album has shown me, the real pleasures in life; and that is being as he once was. In as many places at the same time, and not leaving the comforts of your own home. This is pure delight.
"Monk's Point" demonstrates his uncanny ability to show us the way and keep us on the path to solemn and effecient music.The many cultural overtones presented on this album are that of a musical visionary, who not only knew how to perform music, but to live music.
At only 24 years old myself, as well being an actor and a singer, this album has shown me, the real pleasures in life; and that is being as he once was. In as many places at the same time, and not leaving the comforts of your own home. This is pure delight.
Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase
Every tune is magnificent, and every performance perfect. If you only have one Monk CD, make this one the first you own.
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Monk was a perfectionist not always well-understood by the public or even the musicians of his day. All his other recordings involve other musicians with whom he must interact with varying results. This sometimes makes it difficult to hear Monk as himself rather than as an ensemble player.
But this recording gives us a great window into Monk's musical soul unencumbered with any exogenous distractions. One gets the feeling that Monk is playing for himself with no one else in the room. Production values are nil: just Monk and a piano in a bare studio. It is a privelege to be able to eavesdrop on his private explorations of themes of, presumably, his own choosing. Having bonus tracks with 'duplicate' songs is a genuine positive; it allows you to hear Monk's differing approaches to the same material.
This recording must be considered essential to anyone interested in appreciating the musicianship of Thelonius Monk. There are many other great recordings of Monk out there but this one is indispensible.
But this recording gives us a great window into Monk's musical soul unencumbered with any exogenous distractions. One gets the feeling that Monk is playing for himself with no one else in the room. Production values are nil: just Monk and a piano in a bare studio. It is a privelege to be able to eavesdrop on his private explorations of themes of, presumably, his own choosing. Having bonus tracks with 'duplicate' songs is a genuine positive; it allows you to hear Monk's differing approaches to the same material.
This recording must be considered essential to anyone interested in appreciating the musicianship of Thelonius Monk. There are many other great recordings of Monk out there but this one is indispensible.
By Nikica Gilic
Format:Audio CD
This weird Monk's solo outing is absolutely marvelous; entertaining and witty in a way one would expect from a Clark Terry live album, and yet still jagged, surprising, twisted and twisting, messing with harmonies tempos and rhythms in a way only this master could...
The opening song, "Dinah", much more common for the Fats Waller repertoire opens the album for a reason - it gives the listener some guidelines what to expect and how to take it. One of the most intelligent listeners to jazz tradition, Monk here gives brilliant, ironical but not mocking tribute to music (and, particularly, piano styles) of the past, performing few of his great originals as well...
I enjoyed this album immensely. You can buy it with or without bonus tracks; it's still great. You can get it (with bonus tracks) inside this handy box:
Original Album Classics
The opening song, "Dinah", much more common for the Fats Waller repertoire opens the album for a reason - it gives the listener some guidelines what to expect and how to take it. One of the most intelligent listeners to jazz tradition, Monk here gives brilliant, ironical but not mocking tribute to music (and, particularly, piano styles) of the past, performing few of his great originals as well...
I enjoyed this album immensely. You can buy it with or without bonus tracks; it's still great. You can get it (with bonus tracks) inside this handy box:
Original Album Classics
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
(3.5 stars) Odd because it's so normal
I thought Monk didn't know how to make a conventional album. And yet, here it is. A solo piano record, half of it standards like "I Surrender Dear", "Sweet and Lovely", "I'm... Read more
Published on March 26, 2008 by finulanu
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solo Monk - Thelonious Monk
This is perfection. Monk alone playing classics and favorites. It would be difficult to be in a bad mood while or after listening to this CD. It is pure Monk!
Published on March 7, 2006 by Peri Grenell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Private Recital
I knew of Monk's solo work but wasn't familiar with it. I was expecting a lot of flashy pyrotechnics on this CD - one of those that could be technically impressive but could also... Read more
Published on February 12, 2006 by Southern Man
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solo Monk
I recently acquired this cd from my local indepedent record store. This is a wonderful cd. There is not much I can say. Read more
Published on July 2, 2005 by J. Pynn
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not an absolute essential, but a lovely album nonetheless
Have you ever noticed that when people describe an album as "rainy day music," the music is always sad? Why are rainy days supposed to be sad? Read more
Published on March 15, 2005 by MilesAndTrane
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Solo Masterpiece
Thelonious Monk was incapable of making a bad recording, and SOLO MONK is one of his best. Twenty years into his recording career, Monk entered the studio and cut his first (and... Read more
Published on February 2, 2004 by Steve Vrana
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