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Avg: 4.5 (92 ratings)
- Date Released: June 25, 1957
- Genre: Jazz
- Style: Bebop, Classic Jazz
- Label: Fantasy / Riverside
A key collaboration of jazz masters
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We Say...
A Monk favorite of mine is Monk's Music, done by at most seven pieces; "Ruby My Dear" has only tenorman Coleman Hawkins plus a rhythm section. John Coltrane also appears on tenor, Gigi Gryce on alto, Ray Copeland on trumpet, with drummer Art Blakey and bassist Wilbur Ware in the rhythm section. There's one new Monk tune here, the lovely "Crespuscule With Nellie," but some old favorites turn up: "Well You Needn't," "Off Minor" and "Epistrophy." Everybody works hard. Hawkins, who employed Monk in 1944, reunites with him and it's a pleasure to hear them together. Hawkins displays power and romanticism, but he's such an intelligent improviser as well. It's great just to hear his note selection. Copeland, Gryce and Coltrane solo on "Well You Needn't" and "Epistrophy," and both fragment their lines creatively; their solos are like mosaics. Copeland plays loudly, clearly, coherently and inventively. Monk solos great, and he, Ware and Blakely make an excellent rhythm section.
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They Say...
Monk's Music is often cited as one of the focal points of Thelonious Monk's six-year affiliation (1955-1961) with the Riverside label. Although the original disc clocked in at slightly over 30 minutes, packed into that half hour are not only the introduction of a few of Monk's signature compositions, but also some amazing interactions from the assembled ensemble. Joining Thelonious Monk (piano) during these two recording sessions are Ray Copeland (trumpet), Gigi Gryce (alto sax), Coleman Hawkins (tenor sax), John Coltrane (tenor sax), Wilbur Ware (bass), and Art Blakey (drums). The true meaning of the album's title exists beyond just Thelonious, as the opening sacred prelude, "Abide With Me," was written by William H. Monk. This brief piece features only the horn quartet, foreshadowing their importance throughout the album. The angular stride style featured during the chorus of "Well You Needn't" is tackled with the same nimble authority as Monk's completely unfettered solos. If his ability to swing and his utilization of atomic clock accuracy have ever been questioned, the answer lies no further. So utterly free and fantastic, certain passages command immediate review to be fully comprehended. Hearing Coltrane and Hawkins together is admittedly part of the charm in these sides. "Ruby, My Dear" is bathed in the smoky essence of Hawkins' rich textures and Coltrane's playful cat-and-mouse aggression. Blakey gently propels the rhythm, never getting in the way and sporting a serene snare groove throughout. "Off Minor" is largely led by Monk, with solos that follow into and out of the memorable chorus that sparkles with the full involvement of the horn and rhythm sections. The same is true for this definitive version of "Epistrophy" -- perhaps the zenith collaborative effort between Coltrane and Monk. Additionally, Blakey is in top form, with a solo that borders on spastic precision.
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| 01. |  |
Abide With Me |
0:54 |
|
| 02. | |
Well, You Needn't |
11:24 |
|
| 03. | |
Ruby, My Dear |
5:26 |
|
| 04. | |
Off Minor (take 5) |
5:08 |
|
| 05. | |
Off Minor (take 4) |
5:14 |
|
| 06. | |
Epistrophy |
10:47 |
|
| 07. | |
Crepuscule With Nellie (take 6) |
4:39 |
|
| 08. | |
Crepuscule With Nellie (take 4 and 5) |
4:45 |
|
08 Total Tracks, 48:17 Total Length
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Credits
- Gigi Gryce - Sax (Alto) // Gigi Gryce - ? // Wilbur Ware - Bass // Wilbur Ware - ? // Coleman Hawkins - Saxophone // Coleman Hawkins - Saxophone // Coleman Hawkins - Saxophone // Coleman Hawkins - Saxophone // Coleman Hawkins - Sax (Tenor) // Coleman Hawkins - Sax (Tenor) // Coleman Hawkins - Sax (Tenor) // Coleman Hawkins - Sax (Tenor) // Coleman Hawkins - ? // Coleman Hawkins - ? // Coleman Hawkins - ? // Coleman Hawkins - ? // Ray Copeland - Trumpet // Ray Copeland - ? // Art Blakey - Drums // Art Blakey - Drums // Art Blakey - Drums // Art Blakey - Drums // Art Blakey - Drums // Art Blakey - ? // Art Blakey - ? // Art Blakey - ? // Art Blakey - ? // Art Blakey - ? // John Coltrane - Saxophone // John Coltrane - Saxophone // John Coltrane - Saxophone // John Coltrane - Saxophone // John Coltrane - Saxophone // John Coltrane - Saxophone // John Coltrane - Saxophone // John Coltrane - Saxophone // John Coltrane - Saxophone // John Coltrane - Saxophone // John Coltrane - Sax (Tenor) // John Coltrane - Sax (Tenor) // John Coltrane - Sax (Tenor) // John Coltrane - Sax (Tenor) // John Coltrane - Sax (Tenor) // John Coltrane - Sax (Tenor) // John Coltrane - Sax (Tenor) // John Coltrane - Sax (Tenor) // John Coltrane - Sax (Tenor) // John Coltrane - Sax (Tenor) // John Coltrane - ? // John Coltrane - ? // John Coltrane - ? // John Coltrane - ? // John Coltrane - ? // John Coltrane - ? // John Coltrane - ? // John Coltrane - ? // John Coltrane - ? // John Coltrane - ? // Jack Higgins - Engineer // Orrin Keepnews - Producer // Orrin Keepnews - Liner Notes // Thelonious Monk - Piano // Thelonious Monk - Piano // Thelonious Monk - Piano // Thelonious Monk - Piano // Thelonious Monk - Piano // Thelonious Monk - Piano // Thelonious Monk - Arranger // Thelonious Monk - Arranger // Thelonious Monk - Arranger // Thelonious Monk - Arranger // Thelonious Monk - Arranger // Thelonious Monk - Arranger // Thelonious Monk - Main Performer // Thelonious Monk - Main Performer // Thelonious Monk - Main Performer // Thelonious Monk - Main Performer // Thelonious Monk - Main Performer // Thelonious Monk - Main Performer // Copeland - Trumpet // Gigi Gyrce - Sax (Alto) // Paul Bacon - Cover Design // Paul Weller - Cover Photo // Shigeo Miyamoto - Mastering Engineer
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