View Larger
Rate it!
Avg: 4.5 (22 ratings)
- Date Released: August 7, 1958
- Genre: Jazz
- Label: Riverside Records
-
We Say...
Thelonious Sphere Monk, a pianist as eccentric and marvelous as his name, was at his peak in the summer of 1958, when he recorded these sessions at the Five Spot with drummer Roy Haynes, bassist Ahmed Abdul-Malik and — replacing John Coltrane — Johnny Griffin on tenor sax. It's a different vibe from the Coltrane dates of the year before — less rapturous, more soulful — but spectacular all the same. By this time, Monk had fashioned his songbook of knotty originals — "Light Blue," "Blue Monk," "Epistrophy," "Rhythm-a-ning" — and this quintet rips through them with high-spirited aplomb.
-
They Say...
Although the contents of the original Thelonious in Action vinyl comes from the August 7, 1958 show, the CD reissue, which was released three decades later, incorporates over 20 minutes of extras from a July 9 gig that had been previously rejected by the artist. While in exceptional form, Monk is far from casting the only or even the brightest light during these unforgettable sides. Joining him on-stage at the legendary Five Spot club are: Johnny Griffin (tenor sax), Ahmed Abdul-Malik (bass), and Roy Haynes. It's unfortunate that this unit did not remain together for any length of time as they are able to launch Monk's compositions into some fairly significant places. Johnny Griffin's aggressive performance style incorporates a lyrical and melodic undertone perfectly complementing Monk's sporadic inflections. "Coming On the Hudson" features Griffin weaving his magic around the melody while providing a decisive Coltrane-esque counterpoint to which Monk precariously locates his responses. The intensity of "Rhythm-A-Ning" lifts the whole combo after quickly developing the chorus. Griffin builds line upon melodic line, after which Monk responds in kind by adding distinct punctuations of his own. So powerful is Griffin's onslaught, Monk can be heard indicating more than once that Griffin should indulge in another verse. After a ragged but right beginning, "Evidence" becomes transcendental with Griffin, Monk, Malik, and Haynes -- who is frenetically brilliant throughout -- diving into solos which envelop the melody and ultimately expand the unique patterns and motivations. The CD reissue contains a supplementary (if not definitive) take of "In Walked Bud" from an earlier live recording session that is available in its entirety on the Complete Riverside Recordings box set.
“ The indie iTunes — Hardcore music fans are migrating to eMusic, the iTunes Music Store's cheaper, cooler cousin.”
Rolling Stone
eMusic Tip
Paid downloads are counted towards an album discount but free downloads are not.
COMPLETE FOR FREE!
You can download the rest of the tracks from this album for free! Just click the Complete Album button.
We’re sorry this album can only be downloaded using paid subscription download credits.
We recommend you Save it for Later by clicking the Save for Later button shown just above this message. For a list of related albums you can download right now, check out these recommendations.
We'll give you 10 additional free credits to download this album and start your paid subscription.
Get 10 bonus credits on us if you download this album. Sweet!
| 01. |  |
Light Blue
|
5:14 |
|
| 02. | |
Coming On The Hudson
|
5:24 |
|
| 03. | |
Rhythm-A-Ning
|
9:25 |
|
| 04. | |
Epistrophy
|
1:06 |
|
| 05. | |
Blue Monk
|
8:31 |
|
| 06. | |
Evidence
|
8:48 |
|
| 07. | |
Epistrophy
|
1:07 |
|
| 08. | |
Unidentified Solo Piano
|
1:54 |
|
| 09. | |
Blues Five Spot
|
9:56 |
|
| 10. | |
In Walked Bud/Epistrophy
|
10:57 |
|
10 Total Tracks, 62:22 Total Length
Loading...
Explore music recommended by Thelonious Monk Quartet fans
Credits
- Johnny Griffin - Saxophone // Johnny Griffin - Saxophone // Johnny Griffin - Saxophone // Johnny Griffin - Saxophone // Johnny Griffin - Saxophone // Johnny Griffin - Sax (Tenor) // Johnny Griffin - Sax (Tenor) // Johnny Griffin - Sax (Tenor) // Johnny Griffin - Sax (Tenor) // Johnny Griffin - Sax (Tenor) // Johnny Griffin - ? // Johnny Griffin - ? // Johnny Griffin - ? // Johnny Griffin - ? // Johnny Griffin - ? // Ahmed Abdul-Malik - Bass // Ahmed Abdul-Malik - ? // Ray Fowler - Engineer // Roy Haynes - Drums // Roy Haynes - ? // 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 - Main Performer // Thelonious Monk - Main Performer // Thelonious Monk - Main Performer // Thelonious Monk - Main Performer // Thelonious Monk - Main Performer // Thelonious Monk - Main Performer // Thelonious Monk - Performer // Thelonious Monk - Performer // Thelonious Monk - Performer // Thelonious Monk - Performer // Thelonious Monk - Performer // Thelonious Monk - Performer // Jack Manning - Photography // Jack Manning - Cover Photo // Joe Tarantino - Digital Mastering // Joe Tarantino - Remastering // Joe Tarantino - Digital Remastering // Thelonious Monk Quartet - Performer // Paul Bacon - Art Direction // Paul Bacon - Cover Design
Choose from over 7 million
music downloadseMusic features legendary and emerging artists in every genre: classic rock to classical,indie to international, soundtracks to spiritual, jazz to country and many more.
MP3 downloads work on any digital media player
With eMusic, you OWN your music without any restrictions. Burn music to a CD, play it on your computer, mobile phone or any digital media player - including iPod®, Zune® and Walkman®.
Songs available for 50¢ or less
eMusic subscriptions start at just $11.99 a month for 24 downloads - that's just 50¢ per song! And it gets better from there - our plans go as low as 42¢ per song!
Music Discovery
eMusic is about discovery. We make finding new music fun again with music recommendations from our award-winning team of music experts, member playlists and new music features.
Cancel anytime
With all the great music and site features we're pretty sure you will love eMusic. If not, no problem. You can cancel at any time and keep the music you have downloaded.
© 1992 - 2009 All Media Guide, LLC