Customer Reviews

Thelonious Monk in Italy

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This 1961 Riverside release seems to be one of those Monk recordings that "flew under the radar" and wasn't detected. This is classic live Monk with his quartet. This set features Charlie Rouse on tenor saxophone (who will become a permanent member of Monk's quartet), John Ore on bass, and Frankie Dunlop on drums. This is a very tight knit group. Both Dunlop and Ore are responsive to Monk's idiosyncratic playing and the interplay between Rouse and Monk is really starting to develop. This partnership will develop into one of the great jazz pairings for many years to follow.

There are some great versions of "Epistrophy," "Straight, No Chaser," and "Body And Soul," but as with any Monk recording, there are no bad tracks to be found here. This is incredible music that only Monk can produce.

This is beautiful music played by one of the innovators of this music. Highly recommended.

I read about Thelonious Monk in a math book INew Mathematical Diversions from Scientific American about 1972 or 3. I asked my mother about him.

"You won't like that kind of music."

My allowance didn't cover full-price records. I found this in the bargain bin.

I listened. The titles were strange.

It was like hearing aliens speaking. Not little nekked gray-green guys, but tall, sophisticated aliens in silk gowns who drank nectar. (I was a Star Trek fan, too.)

I played it over and over.

Looking for information, I read from one reviewer that he listened to his music every Sunday in Winter.

Later I got into Charlie Parker, Anthony Braxton, Philip Glass and Steely Dan.

Isn't first love wonderful?