Thelonious Monk Albums (71)
What The Critics Say
One of Thelonious Monk's finest bands was the quartet he led in 1958 that featured tenor-saxophonist Johnny Griffin. Griffin sounded quite comfortable playing Monk's music and his fiery style really inspired the pianist/composer. This two-LP set (whose contents are also available on Monk's massive CD box The Complete Riverside Recordings) has many great moments including "In Walked Bud," "Nutty," and "Let's Cool One" and makes one regret that this band did not stay together for a much longer period. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Jazz Biography'
Release Date 2/7/2006
Tracks 17
Label United Multi Consign
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What The Critics Say
This Dutch Thelonious Monk compilation is an OK listen considering the years it covers. Here are some of his earliest recordings of many of his own compositions from 1947 though 1952, from "In Walked Bud," with Art Blakey and Sahib Shihab, to "Off Minor," "Well You Needn't," and "Ruby My Dear," with Blakey and bassist Gene Ramsey. These are Riverside-era cuts, and they travel through 1948 with three classic Monk compositions: "Epistrophy," "Evidence," and the sublime "Mysterioso," with Milt Jackson, Shadow Wilson, and Johnny Simmons. The year 1950 is skipped altogether and 1951 and 1952 offer "Criss-Cross," "Bemsha Swing," and others, including the semi-rare (at least on compilations) "Let's Cool Me" and "Hornin' In," from the latter year with Kenny Dorham, Lou Donaldson, Lucky Thompson, Max Roach, and Nelson Boyd. There is a short biographical essay at the beginning and the sound quality is surprisingly good. This is a great buy for the money and is a fitting brief introduction to Monk at the very beginning. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
'In Philadelphia 1960'
Release Date 1/1/2006
Tracks 15
Label Rare Live
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'Monk in Paris: Live at the Olympia'
Release Date 9/23/2003
Tracks 8
Label Sindrome
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What The Critics Say
Joel Dorn's Hyena Records has been busy with partnerships. This one centers on the estate of Thelonious Monk. The label Thelonious Records was formed by Monk's son T.S. Monk and Peter Grain to open its vaults for the first time and issue unreleased live recordings that were both officially sanctioned and bootlegged. If this set, the second of a two- night engagement at Paris' famed Olympia Theater in 1965, is any indication of the quality and inspiration of these performances, Monk fans definitely have something to look forward to besides reissues. On this double-disc set -- the concert on one CD and a DVD of Monk and his quartet performing in Oslo in 1966 (in fine black and white) -- the band is Charlie Rouse, Ben Riley, and Larry Gales and from the jump on "Rhythm-A-Ning," they hit the gate blowing. Monk kicks it off, but it is Rouse who shines here, burning through the blues. Before fine solos by Gales and Riley round out the piece, the ensemble reenters to close it out. Monk has a pair of solo performances here, a gorgeous "Body & Soul" and "April in Paris," before the definitive work on the set, -- and its hinge separating the two parts of the concert -- "Well You Needn't" reveals the complete and nearly telepathic strength of the quartet. This piece, a complete blowout of intricate improvisation and rhythmic shifts and feints, is one of the greatest live recorded performances of this band ever. The show closes with "Bright Mississippi" and a moving reading of "Epistrophy," leaving listeners left in a kind of awe at the joyous, brilliant, and bright offering this band laid before a European audience nearly 40 years ago. If this recording is any evidence, the Monk catalog is about to expand with some real gems. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk led a quartet throughout the 1960s but on a European tour in 1967 his group was expanded with the addition of several top horn players. This CD, which contains all of the music from a Paris concert, features Monk with his regular tenor Charlie Rouse, bassist Larry Gales and drummer Ben Riley on a couple of songs, adds trumpeter Ray Copeland to make the band a quintet and for a few numbers they are joined by trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, altoist Phil Woods and tenor-saxophonist Johnny Griffin; in addition flugelhornist Clark Terry sits in and stars on "Blue Monk." Monk had only recorded with this large a group on two prior occasions, making this rare recording a historical curiosity; more importantly the music (six of his originals) is excellent. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Live in Paris, Vol. 3'
Release Date 1/1/2002
Tracks 8
Label Thelonious
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'Live in Paris, Vol. 2'
Release Date 1/1/2002
Tracks 6
Label Thelonious
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What The Critics Say
For Volume Two/set two of the February 23, 1964 live performances in Paris by the Thelonious Monk quartet, show time is just under an hour, and near the mid-point, the inspiration level palpably increases. This upgrade is most noticeable during a spirited "Hackensack" where Monk is markedly involved harmonically, but especially on the following number "Rhythm-A-Ning," sharply played with more energy, invention and collective interplay. The format remains the same throughout with tenor sax-piano-bass-drums solos in strict order between heads and tails. Charlie Rouse changes up the melody and messes with it a bit during the "Sweet Georgia Brown" adaptation "Bright Mississippi," where the briefer solos move the piece along. The longer stride-to-tender moments for Monk's intro, over a minute-and-a-half, alludes to the slow tempo, precluding Rouse's nice chord substitutions prior to overtly long solos, particularly Butch Warren's extended unaccompanied discourse. A typical unison melody played twice for "Blue Monk," and another five minute "Epistrophy" as on Live in Paris, Vol. 1 bookends the set. The second show is noticeably stronger, as Monk himself is engaged as he noticeably was not on the previous set. Both volumes are good companion pieces, historic recordings for sure, nothing earth shattering or revelatory, but decent additions to Monk's discography, probably best appreciated by completists. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
'Live in Paris, Vol. 1'
Release Date 1/1/2002
Tracks 5
Label Thelonious
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What The Critics Say
The first of two separate CDs from concerts done in Paris during the winter of 1964, Monk's quartet with Butch Warren (bass), Ben Riley (drums) and Charlie Rouse (tenor sax), showcases one standard and four of the pianist's originals. Only "Epistrophy," the closer, is in short form. Noticeable from the opening refrains of "Four in One" is Rouse, bending notes, extrapolating and modifying the melody, challenging Monk to do the same. The pianist then does a retort before laying completely out as Rouse solos. The band follows the same easy swinging mid-tempo ritual for the next two pieces; "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" and "Straight, No Chaser," as tenor sax, piano, bass and drum solos line up before heading back to the melody. A stride-ish intro by Monk sets up "Sentimental" and "Epistrophy," while solos are concise. Riley, though, plays an almost three minute intro to "Well, You Needn't," and indulges in another lengthy solo later in the 12-minute number, with Rouse surprisingly more in the background on the first refrain. It's during the five minute "Epistrophy" that we hear Monk and Rouse delving into some brief, witty call-and-response talkback. Considering the leader's well chronicled battle with mental illness during this time period, it might be said he laid back a lot during this set, practically restrained. Nonetheless, a well recorded and performed nearly 49 minutes from a fully relaxed and lubricated modern jazz machine. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
'Live in Stockholm, Vol. 2'
Release Date 1/1/2002
Tracks 7
Label Thelonious
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