In the Key of Monk

In the Key of Monk

ASIN: B00000I0XB

Editorial Reviews
All Music Guide
"...Williams delves into the pianist's less-frequently played compositions, while also dedicating pieces of her own. Highly recommended."

Product Description
This solo piano tribute to Thelonious Monk is one of Jessica Williams' best live performances. She establishes her own voice right away with a playful approach, throwing Monk-like twists into her interpretation of his favorite standards.

Tracks:

Bemsha Swing
Just A Gigolo
Reflections
I Love You Sweetheart Of All My Dreams
Monk's Mood/Crepuscule With Nellie
Monk's Hat
San Francisco Holiday
I Remember Monk
The House That Rouse Built
Pannonica
Ask Me Now
Blues Five Spot

Album Description

This solo piano tribute to Thelonious Monk is one of Jessica Williams' best live performances. She establishes her own voice right away with a playful approach, throwing Monk-like twists into her interpretation of his favorite standards.

Customer Reviews:

Definitely one of the best jazz piano players !.......2005-01-20

MaryLou Williams,Erroll Garner,Duke Ellington,Ahmad Jamal,Earl Hines,and Thelonious Monk;I think here are some of the most important influences in Jessica Williams' playing.Not too bad,isn't it? And the result is that this Lady simply is one of the top jazz piano players of this young 21th century;I mean,certainly one of the six best piano players,with Hank Jones,Kenny Barron,Ahmad Jamal and Randy Weston,and Abdullah Ibrahim.
Each record she makes is a gem,and this dedication to Thelonious Monk's music is a real masterpiece.Recorded live in Calgary,Canada,May 31,1997,this essential solo effort includes great tunes written by Thelonious ("Bemsha swing","Reflections","Monk's mood","crepuscule with Nellie","San Francisco holiday","Pannonica","Ask me now" and "Blues five spot"),two oldies that Monk loved to play ("Just a gigolo" and "I love you,sweetheart of all my dreams") and three tunes written by Jessica ("Monk's hat","I remember Monk" and "the house that Rouse built",dedicated to Monk's devoted tenor sax player,the great Charlie Rouse,who died the same day that Baronness Nica De Koenigswarter,who's home became Thelonious and Nellie Monk's last home).
If Thelonious Monk's musical universe is yours,then you will treasure this very great tribute to his musical genius.Do you remember Thelonious playing "Lulu's back in town" or "I love you,sweetheart of all my dreams"? Did you treasure his interpretations of these old tunes? So listen first to Jessica's incredible version of "sweetheart"(track 4):here is the essence of swing,here is that good old stride,the Harlem's trademark,here is time to tap your feet and shout.Who else (but Kenny Barron) could have play it that way? Then,jump to "ask me now",or "blues Five Spot","Reflections" or "San Francisco holiday";you'll listen to very great music,played by an immense artist,one of the greatest piano players in the history of jazz,like her underrated colleague,and homonym,miss MaryLou Williams (1910-1981),who happened to be a definitive influence on...Thelonious Monk.

Monk in the style of Monk.......2000-07-04

In the last few years many jazz musicians have recorded Monk tunes. Jessica Williams is the only piano player I have heard who can play in a style that is an extension of Monk's original style. This is one of her many interesting CDs but this one is essential for any Monk fan. Ms. Williams manages to hold your interest from beginning to end on solo piano.

Round Midnight; Sir Simon Rattle & Cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic

Average customer rating:

Round Midnight; Sir Simon Rattle & Cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic
Cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic , and Sir Simon Rattle
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Cello Submarine: Beatles Classics by the 12 Cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic
As Time Goes By
Angel Dances

ASIN: B000068371
Release Date: 2002-08-13

Tracks:

Caravan
America
Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen
Clap Yo' Hands
Theme from "The Pink Panther"
Moonlight Serenade
The Flower Is a Key
Gershwin Prelude No. 2
Amerika 2002, In Memorium, Pt. 1
Amerika 2002, In Memorium, Pt. 2
Deep River
Ragtime
Spain
'Round Midnight

Amazon.com

Simon Rattle leads the 12 Cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic beyond their popular South American Getaway project with this trip north of the border, where they mine the sounds of American jazz, popular song, spirituals, and film themes. The results are varied, and the tracks that work best may surprise you. Chick Corea's "Spain" begins as a moving lament, but unfolds to become sweeping, grand, and celebratory. The Pink Panther theme is a lightweight but fun romp through the familiar tune (the cellists even do a little whistling while they work). Meanwhile, the oddest cut has to be Sergio Cardenas's "The Flower Is a Key (A Rap for Mozart)," on which Sir Simon Rattle himself performs both spoken word and conducting duties (he's far better at conducting). All in all, this is a pleasant, relaxing album of timeless pop favorites. --Jason Verlinde

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