134 of 141 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
FINE IN DEPTH LOOK AT MONK'S LIFE AND MUSIC, October 7, 2009
This review is from: Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original (Hardcover)
588 pages,including acknowledgments,appendices,notes,and compositions by Monk. This adds up to 129 pages out of the total. The paper used is a cream-white,and the the type-face is straight forward,clean and,together,make for an easy read. There are 16 pages of black and white photographs,starting with Monk's parents,on through his family,and several of Monk playing on the bandstand. These are a valuable addition,and give some depth to the writing.
This is an important book on Thelonious Monk. Not only his music,but an in-depth look at the person behind the music. The author,Robin Kelley,delved into Monk's life for ten years,with access to family papers and private recordings. In doing so Kelley has produced the first book to accurately portray what made Monk "tick". Many books talk about Monk the "hipster",the jazz player who wore hats (believe it or not,this was thought to be important) not in keeping with the current fashion of the day,the outspoken man who most deemed overly critical,and,an eccentric. Was Monk temperamental? Absolutely. Did he act in ways outside "normal" behavior? Yes. Was Monk a true eccentric? Probably most certain. But in this well written book the author digs deeply into Monk's life,starting with his upbringing,his family ties and influence,his early life,jail,and his mental and physical disorders,his one true love in life,Nellie,and his many friends (Baroness Nica de Koenigswarter for example),and associates in the music world.
This book shows why Monk--was Monk. His mother's encouragement to follow his own path,early in Monk's life,set him on his own individual path. The many people who misunderstood Monk (Bill Evans,for example,thought Monk's musical ability was because he was not exposed to Western music forms-not true),which led to the popular myth of Monk being some sort of musical savant,who had little knowledge of the "outside" world. In reality,Monk worked very hard at his music,and even harder to achieve his own individualistic sound. As for his perceived eccentricities,in this book Monk is shown to be a devoted family man,a man who was generous to his friends,but was also incredibly honest in his opinions and at times was brutally honest to a fault. His mental illness,and it's affects on not only his music,but his life are also brought into context with his views on people and life. In addition,readers get a good view of jazz,in N.Y. City,in the forties and fifties,into the sixties,and the many musicians who Monk employed,and played with on the bandstand.
Above all,Monk had a genuine love for music,especially his own,and that comes through clearly in this great book. Not only do readers (and listeners of his music) learn more about his music,that in the past,was sorely lacking,they get to know the man behind this incredible music. If you're not familiar with Monk's music,check out his album "Brilliant Corners",or his early stuff on Blue Note Records,or his superb (2 CD) solo recordings on Columbia records,for examples of his writing and playing skills. If you aren't familiar with these albums,I envy you your hearing this music for the first time. For anyone who listens to Monk's music and wonders,what kind of person could write such powerful,evocative music-this book will give the answers. Monk's music can be enjoyed to an even greater extent,after reading this well researched,well written book,on one of jazz's greatest composers and musicians.
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58 of 60 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Monk in perspective, October 28, 2009
This review is from: Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original (Hardcover)
If you're interested in jazz, post war urban American history or just enjoy reading well written biographies...buy this book. Deftly written, extremely well researched and highly readable this book is a great acheivemment.
Being a professional musician I have read many music bios (jazz and otherwise) and this ranks among the best. Robin Kelley clearly has a love for his subject and as an amateur pianist he writes intelligently about Monk and his music. But don't expect this book to be an academic bore. His detailed account of Monk, his circle of musician friends and the clubs he played made me feel like I was there. I could smell the cigarette smoke and hear the jam sessions at Minton's and feel the atmosphere of the San Juan Hill neighborhood where Monk grew up and lived for so many years. You'll find yourself in the back of a TV repair shop where pianists (known and unknown) jammed and shared ideas and eavesdrop on rehearsals at Monks apartment and Hall Overton's loft...and so much more.
Kelley had unprecedented access to the Monk family archives and in every step of the book it shows. But more importantly Kelley is a great writer that weaves the details into a saga of post war African American life. Perhaps most importantly, Kelley debunks the myth of Monk as some sort of idiot savant or "noble savage" that inherited his genius by osmosis. Monk worked damn hard to create his art and Kelly takes you along every step of the way. Poignant, funny, sad and triumphant this book's got it all covered. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
"Two is one and one is two".
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34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Monk- A labor of love, November 17, 2009
This review is from: Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original (Hardcover)
I approached this book with trepidation..there have been so many bios of Monk,Trane,Miles...and the 700 page hardbound looked a fearsome mix of dry research and lofty pronouncements. My scepticism rapidly gave way to ceaseless absorption as I devoured the pages..Not since Ross Russell's 'Bird Lives' have I torn though a biography of an artiste one has revered over the decades
Painstakingly researched and passionately written with a strong story line,"Monk" grips the reader from start to finish.The author gets behind the Monk character and psyche to portray what made him tick,how did he think and what went behind the man whose compositions and playing style continue to captivate millions even today as it confused thousands during his time.One lives and breathes each scene as you sit along with Monk as he relentlessly composes each of his tunes, rehearses with his sidemen and makes his recordings.
You are with him and the other greats at his gigs at Mintons, Five Spot, the 52nd Street clubs, Newport and all of Europe You are by his side as he scuffles and suffers poverty,house fires,mental illness,ridicule by critics and social ostracization....before gaining recognition.. You come within talking and breathing distance of Diz, Bird,Coltrane,Miles,Charlie Rouse,Bud Powell,Elmo Hope, and so many more that one has heard and read about.... its unbelievably realistic...
If you are a jazz person, this book has to be by your bedside, not just on your shelf
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