Customer Reviews

The Thelonious Monk Reader (Reader in American Music)

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Thelonious Monk was the hippest, coolest, swingin'est, be-boppin'est, so far-out he's in'est cat in all of jazzdom. Critics couldn't figure him out, but audiences dug him the most, and you will too.
This wonderful book collects dozens of articles by influential music writers of the 40s 50s and 60s, from when Monk started as a cult favorite, all the way to when he became a worldwide sensation. You'll discover in these pages that some writers dismissed him. Others took a patronizing attitude. A few actually dug him. All of the writers were fascinated by him, his now-recognized musical genius, and his playful onstage antics. It's a glimpse into the past showing how people reacted to what was to become timeless jazz music.

Thelonious Monk will always remain somewhat of a mystery to us, but reading quality books do help. This reader include many writings about him during his life, as opposed to bios written after his death. Both are worthwhile. This is a very good anthology of such writings. It makes a good companion to have on my Kindle, since it can read to me while doing a chore, or on a short drive.