I could have picked various Monk album’s to feature. I have so many I dig. ‘Monk’s Dream’ I wanted to feature because of Charlie Rouse. Monk and Rouse will always be joined at the hip for me. Charlie’s on sax and being the sax lover that I am I fell for this music in a big way. It’s Monk music but Rouse is the perfect accompany guy for it. I guess the word CB is looking for is chemistry.
The other two accompanist, John Ore (bass) and Frankie Dunlop (drums) also add big time to this music. The first cut (Title Cut. I already did a take on it)) sets up nicely with Monk and the rhythm section laying it down. It would have been enough listening to Thelonious as a trio but Charlie comes in and blows the doors off. I absolutely dig this tune. Something very loose and cool about it. Just a great piece of music. What an intro. Before I get carried away with Rouse I don’t want to forget why I’m here. Monk is fantastic. And I’m still talking about the first cut
I’ve always dug piano but TM’s playing does something to me (moves me). It just appeals to my ear. It might sound off kilter, clunky, non traditional but man do I love it! Like he’s trying to find the right note by elimination. Like a V-8 sputtering and sucking for gas then Varoom! I’m listening to his version of ‘Body and Soul’ as I write this and I’m enjoying it as much now as when I first heard it.
Monk and Rouse are back at their blend on ‘Bright Mississippi’ and I’m back enjoying what they’re doing. This is some good stuff. Thelonious played with some of the best sax guys ever, Coleman Hawkins, Ike Quebec, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane to name a few but having Charlie at his side just felt right. I won’t bore the shit out of you with more talk about this album. Bracket some time and give it a go. If it doesn’t grab you I get it but if it does you are in for a musical treat. This is some good jazz. Oh yeah, it swings too.
Monk and this album (actually cassette) took me further into the jazz world. If I wasn’t a fan of this kind of music before, albums like this sealed the deal. Monk is a true original and has given me hours of listening pleasure. I can slap on his stuff anytime and instantly I’m in for the ride.
( He has so many good recordings and there are so many opinions on his music. My only suggestion would be to give a few a go and let your ears do the choosing. Don’t take my word for it. Give Monk a spin)
Array on Movie : American Heart | |
cincinnatibabyhead on Movie : American Heart | |
cincinnatibabyhead on Movie : American Heart | |
Jim S. on Movie : American Heart | |
Jim S. on Movie : American Heart |
Array on Movie : American Heart | |
cincinnatibabyhead on Movie : American Heart | |
cincinnatibabyhead on Movie : American Heart | |
Jim S. on Movie : American Heart | |
Jim S. on Movie : American Heart |
What’s most remarkable on this album is his genius as jazz pianist. I think for his brilliance as a pianist is here “Bright Mississippi” his most challenging composition.
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You probably come from more of a musicians place than I do but we meet at the listening. His music has got into me over the years and that’s a good thing. ‘Mississippi” is just a great piece of jazz music. To my ears anyway. Thanks for the input Fox. I knew you’d bite on this one.
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I know CB is a true jazz lover… this album is a good example to realize how good Monk as solo pianist is. The music flows like ribbon in the wind, like water flowing down the river…
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Exactly what Monks music is like. A river and all it’s changes.
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Musicians love Monk too. His compositions have been played by just about everyone, it seems. I wonder what his most popular song is. Maybe it’s “Round Midnight”.
Hi CB. Have a great day.
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The ‘Round Midnight’ idea is almost an idea for a doc or has it been done already?
On the great day, you too fella.
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If you haven’t already seen it, check out the doc about Monk that Clint Eastwood made years ago. I think it’s called Straight No Chaser.
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Yes I’ve seen it and liked it. I’ve seen a few things on him. All worth a watch. Clint plays a mean piano. Not bad for a cowboy.
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Hi CB like your choice, these cuts will be my Sunday evening listening with a G & T to hand.
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Very cool on you Sunday listening. I have a new listening device and will be using it to pipe one of your shows through today. I’m still catching up.
That “G&T” thing, is that the national drink of the country you call home? I used to devour those beverages and man could I dance after that.
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Couldn’t drop a comment on your “Usual Eclectic Mix #15. Hope you get this. I had it playing outside while i was chilling in the back yard today. Like an old time radio station. Absolutely dug it. “Eclectic” is the word. Washington, Harry James (loved that tune. Almost a country swing feel), Smith. Marley, Hot 8, Stanton Moore (I’ve heard that before and dug it some more today), Mavis etc…. great show. I will pulling out a few archive shows during the summer. Great listening Queen.
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Listening to it now. Good choice. I don’t know Monk as well as I should for no good reason.
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I’m listening to it also. It would be interesting in your best guitar thing , where Monk’s style would fit and who would be his guitar playing cousin. You get me?
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Boy, I’d have to listen to it in a whole different way. Guys like Kenny Burrell, Tal Farlow and George Benson come to mind.
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Thing is Doc, he doesn’t play it straight half the time. He can be smooth but not like Evans, Peterson, Jarrett etc (those guys take off also). When i think of the guys you mentioned I think more precise and right on the money, I guess maybe more like Scofield, Frisel, Zappa but rock guitarist nothing pops out at me.
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What does your “if it ain’t Don Shirley don’t talk to me” neighbor think of Monk?
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He thinks he should be wearing a space suit. Just to much for him. I think you knew the answer to that one. I tried giving him some toned down Evans and Jarrett (your input) but no go. He does like a quite a bit of Oscar and Brubeck but I’m afraid Thelonious is just “playing the phone book” to his ear.
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Oh, well. To each they own. Could be worse. At least he’s a jazz fan and not trying to sell you on T. Swift.
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He’s a really good guy and has a pretty good ear for what he likes. Has a more classical bend. He brought home ‘Bitches Brew’ a while back. That really blew his mind. Not quite ready for that.
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Monk! Love. Love love love love love love!
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You said “love” just about as many times aa Robert Plant says “baby” on ‘Babe I’m Gonna Leave You’. I love Thelonious also. I think you knew that.
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Your enthusiasm is infectious. I know next to nothing about jazz and will give this spin tonight on my way home from work!
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Interested in what you think. First time with Monk.
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Actually, I heard some of Monk before. Hotfox who clearly likes Monk as well, previously featured him.
BTW, I have to tell, and forgive my silliness, every time I hear the name Monk, I think of the U.S. TV series (the comedy drama series about a detective with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder) – my wife absolutely digs it, so I’ve watched it a few times with her. Monk’s Dream sounds like it could be the title of an episode. Anyway, enough with the silliness!
The two things I like the most about this album are the groove of some of the tracks and the saxophone. In fact, I’m a huge fan of the sax, and Charlie Rouse sounds great!
Now, I wouldn’t be entirely forthcoming, if I wouldn’t admit that I feel more at home when saxophone is combined with rock and pop like Springsteen or Steely Dan, or is part of Stax-style soul.
And, as I also just coincidentally wrote about, I really dig vocals, especially when sung in multi-part harmonies. After listening to instrumental music for some time, I tend to start missing the singing!
With all of the above being said, I do enjoy occasional excursions into the jazz world! So keep ‘em coming, especially if it’s got some groovy sax!🎷😀
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Funny how we associate things like ‘Monk’ with the TV show. Probably more people in America know that than they do Thelonious.
We are both sax guys and that is one of the reasons i got into jazz. So many good players. I guess it’s almost like a voice to me. It took me a while to catch onto that. These guys were singing through their horns.
Clarence’s horn was a big reason that i was attracted to Springsteen’s music early on. The sax is all over my music pile in every genre. So many one off songs I can think of with the sax in them that I love. Off the top of my head ‘Waiting For A friend’ with Sonny Rollins doing those beautiful solos. The Monk/Rouse chemistry does it for me.
Christian here’s a take I did a while back that shines a little light on my love of the sax.
https://cincinnatibabyhead.wordpress.com/2018/02/18/album-stanley-turrentine-the-baddest-turrentine/
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Wow, that’s one killer sax sound, CB. I can see why you dig it!
While my streaming service currently doesn’t have that particular sampler, I found Turrentine’s 1973 album ‘Don’t Mess With Mr. T.’ When it’s so great, even I can live without vocals – at least for one album!😆
But, seriously, Turrentine has a terrific sound.
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I really like his sound. All the Stanley stuff I have is pretty solid. Hey, it’s the sax man!
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‘Off-kilter’ is perfect. Marvellous choice CB.
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Thanks Bruce. I have a Blue Note box set that I get lost in once in a while. It’s real good.
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Monk is as unique as his name.
If you haven’t read it I highly recommend Geoff Dyers book ‘But Beautiful’ for the monk essay among many others.
Regards Thom
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Have a couple others on the shelf but will pick Dyers up for sure. Thanks Thom. Love that title.
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Don’t know Monk too well and I’ve not heard this album but what I have heard I’ve greatly admired
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I think if you’re on the Coltrane/Mingus vibe it is a pretty easy slide to Monk.
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Amazing, CB. I haven’t spent too much time listening to Monk. I tend to get caught up with Miles, Ellington, Mingus and selections of Coltrane when I dig into jazz. I’ve only ever really checked out Monk’s Music and Brilliant Corners, though not enough to say I really know or dig them.
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Him, Duke and Coltrane (and a whole bunch more) are go to stuff for me. ‘Corners’ gets a lot of ink as far as Monk goes. Lots of other good ones like this one.
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I really enjoyed this when I threw it on the other day… I’m on a bit of a jazz hit (Coltrane, Monk, Miles, Mingus) now with some time for Sinatra.
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I’m immersed in Kamasi Washington (The Epic) right now. He’s new and he has picked up the torch. Like Coltrane he’s exhausting but what a load of great musical ideas.
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I’ve yet to find an ‘in’ with Kamasi. I’ve tried, but it’s not sparked yet. I’ve been listening to loads yesterday and today – Bud Powell, Adderley, Kenny Dorham, Eric Dolphy… it’s jazz week.
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All those guys you mention are tops and put out so much great jazz ( I have a take on Jackie McLean coming up. Same pool)
Kamasi is just a breath of fresh air. It’s like all that Impulse stuff Coltrane, Shepp, Saunders were doing but with even more stuff added. I even here Morriconi in it.
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I’ll give Kamasi another go.
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Like you I’m on a jazz kick and Kamasi is in the mix. I seen your comment on Music Enthusiasts station about the ‘Quintet”. I’ll shoot my mouth off on that later.
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