Monk's Dream

Monk's Dream

ASIN: B000042OSL

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy has devoted much of his career to the music of Thelonious Monk, with whom he played for a few months in 1960. Shortly after that gig, Lacy teamed with trombonist Roswell Rudd in a quartet devoted exclusively to Monk's music. It's no surprise, then, that this reunion finds the pair once again paying tribute to Monk. Sparked by the quirky interplay between Lacy's spry, angular soprano sax and Rudd's rollicking trombone, this meeting captures the joyful, unfettered sense of exploration that can be missing in overly academic readings of Monk. Lacy and Rudd rear back and let 'er rip, with Lacy tracing brisk, sharply defined lines around the perimeter of the tunes while Rudd huffs, puffs, and wobbles his way along a path closer to the song's charming center. While only two Monk compositions are covered here ("Monk's Dream" and "Pannonica"), Lacy's "The Rent" sounds as if it could have been lifted from the composer's notes while Ellington's "Koko" is given a robust, swinging workout that revels in the nooks and crannies of the piece. Supported by Lacy's longtime rhythm section of Jean-Jacques Avenel (bass) and John Betsch (drums), this is a warm, yet precisely rendered work by two of creative jazz's finest. --S. Duda

Monk's Dream,Steve Lacy & Roswell Rudd,Polygram Records,Free Jazz,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Post-Bop

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Monk in top form

The Thelonious Monk Quartet

Monk's major label debut.

Very Accurate Title

Dream On Monk....

Monk's Dream
Thelonious Monk
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00006GO99
Release Date: 2002-09-03

Tracks:

Monk's Dream (Take 8)
Body And Soul (Re-Take 2)
Bright Mississippi (Take 1)
Blues Five Spot
Blue Bolivar Blues (Take 2)
Just A Gigolo
Bye-Ya
Sweet And Lovely
Monk's Dream (Take 3)
Body And Soul (Take 1)
Bright Mississippi (Take 3)
Blue Bolivar Blues (Take 1)

Amazon.com essential recording

Thelonious Sphere Monk was 45 when he began work in 1962 on Monk's Dream, his first recording for a big mainstream label. Thus, the 8 tracks here, a mixture of Monk originals and standards, present the bop pianist at a career peak, documenting music that is both challenging and immediately accessible. Playing with his touring quartet, Monk makes each song his own, finding a typically quirky melody line within the romance of "Body and Soul" or the swing of "Bright Mississippi." Tenor saxman Charles Rouse adds some soothing horn soloing, but it's Monk's bright, intuitive playing that makes this a late bop milestone. Timeless. --Steve Appleford

Amazon.com

Originally released in early 1963, Monk's Dream was the first Thelonious Monk album for Columbia. At the time this was recorded (fist sessions on Halloween, 1962), he had become one of the preeminent figures in contemporary jazz. His move to Columbia put him in the company of a couple of the era's other major talents and commercial successes, Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck, and his quartet was stabilized for a couple years with tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse (with him since 1958), bassist John Ore, and drummer Frankie Dunlop. This album set the format for his succeeding works for the label over the next half-dozen years: a few standards mixed with originals, most of which had been recorded earlier in his career (the only new composition is "Bright Mississippi," itself a variation on the chordal structure of "Sweet Georgia Brown"). However, these performances find Monk in exuberant good cheer. His playing sparkles with invention and the relaxation and calm of a career in well-deserved ascension. Critically under-celebrated in its day, Monk's Dream is rich with the confidence of a band at its peak. --David Greenberger

Customer Reviews:

Monk in top form.......2007-02-14

Monk's most creative period was the mid 40's to early 50's, when he developed his style (revolutionary at the time) and wrote most of his classic compositions. Sadly he was underappreciated by the public until after that period. By the time of this recording, 1962, Monk's style has been fully developed for a while. This record is sometimes dismissed because there is not much innovation or new compositions. I think that is a mistake. This is Monk as a mature artist refining his style with a great band. The sax player, Charlie Rouse, is not a celebrity name like John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, or Johnny Griffin, but his tone and style perfectly complement Monk on this record. Monk's opening solo on "Sweet and Lovely" is one of his best, and when Rouse comes in after a couple of minutes, it's pretty close to perfect. There's only one new song, "Bright Mississippi", but it's one of his classics. When Monk covers standards like "Like a Gigolo" and "Body and Soul" he makes them sound like they are his songs. I highly recommend this one.

The Thelonious Monk Quartet.......2005-10-17

This is probaly the best record to go to if one needed to check out Thelonious Monk in a quartet setting, or any setting for that matter.

Most Monk albums have a few of his classic tunes, and a few standards, and this album is no different. It sounds like Monk and the rest of the musicians were very on top with this recording. It's very well arranged, and everyone plays great.

I think one of Monk's best drummers was Frankie Dunlop, and he appears on this album. He had the perfect style for Monk's creative playing, more than Art Blakey and Roy Haynes had for him.

Bye Ya, and Monk's Dream are too tunes that standout, and Bolivar Blues is another Monk classic. I dig them! This whole album is great.

Another thing I realized while listening to this album is just how good a solo pianist Monk is. Sure, everybody knows he had a couple of solo albums out, but not many think of him as a great solo pianist.

Certainly not the most ideal accompianist for a horn man, Monk is exciting and ingenious all the way. This is a classic recording!

Monk's major label debut........2005-10-04

In 1962, bebop was on its way out the door, but Thelonious Monk's star was rising. Having spent the better part of the previous decade signed to Riverside (where he moved from underground to somewhat more popularly known), he signed to Columbia Records' growing jazz department (it should be noted that all the praise that is often levied on Columbia for all this jazz they recorded should be tempered by noting how quickly they kicked these artists to the curb when they decided this music was not commercial enough). Monk appeared to be happy to be signed to the label, as he took his working quartet (including Charlie Rouse on tenor sax, John Ore on bass and Frankie Dunlop on drums) into the studio to record this album, "Monk's Dream", which has an ecstatic energy to it that many Monk pieces lack in favor of introspection.

Perhaps the most telling is the title track and opener, "Monk's Dream"-- it's energetic, upbeat and exciting, with Monk's playing fractured and explosive and Rouse matching. This pretty much sticks through the entire record, including the solo piano feature "Body and Soul", a stunning take on "Blue Bolivar Blues" (with a superb solo by Rouse) and "Bye-Ya", where Dunlop gets to show just what he's got in him. Throughout, the playing is superb, the group interaction is near-psychic, and the mood is exciting and upbeat-- check out closer "Sweet and Lovely"-- Monk freely associates on the theme under Rouse's solo, responding to the soloist and gently urging him on while Ore and Dunlop lock with the leader. The only exception to the mood of the record is the take of "Just a Gigolo", performed on solo piano, the only really moody piece on the record. Nonetheless, the performance is breathtaking as Monk deconstructs the piece totally.

This reissue is remastered and adds four alternate takes (nearly 30 minutes of unreleased music) to the recording, and features a new liner notes essay as well as reprinting the original notes.

I'm of the opinion (and I seem to be in the minority) that Monk has done better than this one, but it's an awfully good album. Recommended.

Very Accurate Title.......2005-04-24

This record does put you in the middle of Monk's Dream. Things are all around you - people, houses, stores, the city, the woods, just something is a little off. Hey how come that person has three feet and is pouring coffe grounds in one ear. I realize that makes no sense, but gives a sense of a different twist on musical reality. But this is still straight ahead bop thought, so the fact that it makes you feel slightly off balance is a compliment. Monk bops at slightly off kilter mid pace tempo and give Charlie Rouse a chance to shine. Charlie Rouse is taken for granted because he fits the music to well. He sounds like part of written composition. Few hornmen played Monk's tunes with such grace and ease. Chill out and space out to Monk's Dream

Dream On Monk...........2004-07-03

Of the dozen or so Monk albums in my collection this album positions itself as one of my top three favorites - with a large margin of endearment. Not unlike other albums released by Monk in the late '50's and beyond, herein Monk spreads out his pieces with lengthy solos and rythmic toying. New renditions of earlier concieved works are laid down with double or more playing time; not something that I find more oft to be a positive attribute.

However, this album is an exception. The essence of these works is not lost during the expanses of soloing and the melodies live beyond the confines of the jewel case. This is the kind of music that you just can't get out of your head and will actually enjoy humming when the CD ain't around. Also noteworthy, sound quality is vastly improved over early recordings of Monk.

Tracks:

Overture - Orchestra
Prelude - Orchestra/Daniel McDonald
Willing To Ride - Karen Ziemba
Everybody Dance - Gregory Harrison/Mary Illes/Rosa Curry/Sarah Solie Shannon/Ronn Carroll/Gregory Mitchell...
Second Chance - Daniel McDonald/Karen Ziemba
A Powerful Thing - Gregory Harrison/Ronn Caroll
Dance With Me/The Last Girl - Gregory Harrison/Mary Illes/Rosa Curry/Sarah Solie Shannon/Daniel McDonald/Ensemble
The Shag - Orchestra
Everybody's Girl - Debra Monk
Two Step - Orchestra
Wet - Karen Ziemba/Daniel McDonald
Harmonica Specialty - John C. Havens
Lovebird - Karen Ziemba/Adam Pelty/Gregory Mitchell/Daniel McDonald/Ensemble
The Sprints - Gregory Harrison/Ronn Carroll/Daniel McDonald/Company
Entr'Acte - Orchestra
Leave The World Behind - Daniel McDonald/Karen Ziemba/Ensemble
Somebody Older - Debra Monk/Jim Newman
Running In Place - Karen Ziemba
Two Little Words - Kristin Chenoweth/Gregory Harrison/Daniel McDonald/Karen Ziemba/Adam Pelty/Company
First You Dream - Daniel McDonald/Karen Ziemba
Steel Pier - Gregory Harrison/Mary Illes/Rosa Curry/Sarah Solie Shannon
Steel Pier (Reprise) - Karen Ziemba/Gregory Harrison/Company
Final Dance - Daniel McDonald/Karen Ziemba/John Kander

Customer Reviews:

Kander and Ebbs' Score Stands Alone.......2007-01-21

The biggest criticism of this Broadway musical was the book. It allegedly meandered, bored the audience and included unfocussed or unnecessary sequences such as the "dream sequence". Well, I never saw the show and can only evaluate this score on its own merits. Based on that alone, it's a complete winner. Memorable songs, great performances, and the score itself tell a clear story that might have been muddled by an overly fussy book (again, that's from heresay...I never saw the show, which flopped in its initial presentation -- unfortunately, because there is much to admire and enjoy in this typically complex Kander and Ebb score).

First of all, top-rate performances abound here. Karen Ziemba makes every one of her songs sail into the stratosphere. She is a true wonder and deserved her Tony nomination against incredible competition (Bebe Neuwirth got it for the much more popular "Chicago", but Ziemba's her equal). Debra Monk once again makes her mark as a Broadway character actress, although her song "Everybody's Girl" is easily the worst song in the show and certainly beneath Kander and Ebbs' standard, but she wins you over with her energetic and well-placed rendition. Daniel MacDonald does a suberb job as the ill-fated hero, exposing innocence and wry commentary in his very presence, but he is equalled by Gregory Harrison's slimy and ultimately ferocious performance as Mick, the emcee.

The score evokes the time (the 1930s) without relying on pastiche to put it over. Of note, Ziemba's intro, "Willing to Ride", the ensemble "Everybody Dance" (which gives Harrison his chance to shine), "Two Little Words" (which provides the auspicious debut of a most impressive Kristen Chenowith and augers the great things yet to come for her), the touching "First you Dream" and, finally, the both ferocious and mournful reprises of the title song display a powerful and underrated score that deserves reevaluation.

If the book got it wrong, the composers and actors got it quite right the first time. This Original Cast Recording will always be proof positive of that undeniable fact. Always "dream".

Great Score, lousy show........2006-07-22

I think it's one of Kander and Ebbs best, better than Chicago and close to Cabaret. Sadly, the book ruined the show, it bored people. Yet, listening to the ravishing music on the CD, it's hard to realize that it all didn't come together. Maybe someday, someone will revise the book and make it work. Till then, enjoy the CD, it's absolutly gorgeous, had great character numbers, spirited dance numbers and dazzling ballads. The performances are wonderful, with Gregory Harrison (who knew Trapper John could sing?) , Daniel MacDonald and Karen Ziemba shining through on every song. The opening and closing theme is haunting.

Kander and Ebb in a Major Key.......2006-02-09

I first heard excerpts from this on Accuradio.com, and thought it sounded great. It is. In the Kander and Ebb canon, Steel Pier may not rank with Chicago, but I enjoy listening to it as much as to Cabaret. It's sweeter and less dark than either of those, but set in the same period (1933) and just as evocative of that period.

First, the performances of the leads are excellent. Karen Ziemba is superb. Daniel McDonald has a wonderful light baritone, and who knew Gregory Harrison (Trapper John, M.D.) could sing, let alone sing well. Debra Monk performs an excellent comic turn. Kristen Chenoweth's Broadway debut number was corny as can be, but did show off her talent and range well.

The music is just wonderful. Willing to Ride is a spirited waltz. Everybody Dance is a near-perfect Charleston opener top the dance marathon that forms the backbone of the plot. Power is a Powerful Thing may be a little weak in the lyrics, but its set to a spirited and charming ragtime melody. Dance with Me and The Last Girl are sung in a medley format. This is almost a shame because both numbers are excellent in their own right. In fact, The Last Girl is as gorgeous a ballad as you can find anywhere.

Wet is a tinkling, sparkling number in which Ms. Ziemba charms, and Mr. McDonald has a teriffic counterpoint melody. Ms. Monk has a showstopper in Everybody's Girl and a torchy number with Somebody Older. The Shag is a dance piece that may be the best number of all. It seems to alternate between twenties hot jazz and the swing that was just starting to be heard around then. There's also a great bluesy harmonica specialty number, whose only flaw is that it's too short. All in all, the score is a gem, especially compared to most of what we've heard in the last twenty years or so.

This is one of those recordings that makes you wonder why the show was a flop. I went back and read the reviews. Basically they didn't like the plot and felt the production strained too hard to be likeable, but lacked energy at the same time. The show also suffered from comparison to the stunning revival of Chicago that opened in the same season. The critics even managed to be lukewarm on the score. The show closed shortly after being nominated for eleven Tony's and winning none - that was the year Titanic swept the boards. With all that, I'd still say the score is marvelous when heard on its own merits. And I'd go to see a revival if someone would do it. Buy it. I recommend it without reservation.

Weak Plot ... Nice Score.......2005-08-06

The overall plot for Kander & Ebb's 1997 "Steel Pier" is fairly weak, but the score is actually quite good and sung by a terrific cast (Karen Ziemba, Daniel McDonald, Debra Monk, Gregory Harrison, and Kristin Chenowith). Not in the same league as their brilliant "Chicago", "Cabaret" or "Kiss Of The Spider Woman", but a worthy effort with several nice tunes.

Best tracks:

Willing To Ride
Second Chance
Running In Place
First You Dream

Unfortunately, "Steel Pier" was overshadowed by that season's remarkable revival of "Chicago" and dreadful "Titanic". A fine addition, however, to a theatre-lover's collection!

WONDERFUL!.......2005-04-28

I love this album! I bought it a few weeks ago and from the moment I listened to "Two Little Words" I knew this was going to be one of my favorites! The music absolutely gorgeous! I reccomend it!

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The Essential Wedding Collection

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0001U0GCG
Release Date: 2004-05-11

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Sheep May Safely Graze - Stuttgarter Kammerorchester
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Stuttgarter Kammerorchester
Aria (Air On The G String) - Stuttgarter Kammerorchester
Air - Academy Of St. Martin-In-The-Fields
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - Richard Farnes
Canon in D major - Stuttgarter Kammerorchester
Bridal Chorus - Stephen Cleobury
The Prince Of Denmark's March - Michael Laird Brass
Trumpet Tune And Air - Peter Hurford
Panis Angelicus - Luciano Pavarotti
Ave Maria - Wandsworth School Boys' Choir, National Philharmonic Orchestra and Luciano Pavarotti
Exsultate, Jubilate, K. 165 - Leontyne Price
Water Music - Stephen Cleobury
Wedding March - Peter Hurford
The Lord's My Shepherd - Huddersfield Choral Society
Laudate Dominum - Wren Orchestra
Let The Bright Seraphim - Dame Joan Sutherland
Abide With Me - Anthony Way
Ombra Mai Fu - Anthony Way
On Wings Of Song - Utah Symphony Orchestra
Toccata - Stephen Cleobury
Praise, My Soul, The King Of Heaven - Richard Farnes

Tracks:

My Heart Will Go On - James Horner
I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton
Love Theme - Nino Rota
Up Where We Belong - Will Jennings
As Time Goes By - Herman Hupfeld
Take My Breath Away - Giorgio Moroder
Can You Feel The Love Tonight? - Elton John
Evergreen - Barbra Streisand
Love Is All Around - Reg Presley
Maid Marian At The Waterfall (Everything I Do) I Do For You - Seattle Symphony Orchestra
Moon River - Henry Mancini
Where Do I Begin - Francis Lai
When A Man Loves A Woman - Andrew Wright
The Way We Were - Marvin Hamlisch
Unchained Melody - Hollywood Bowl Orchestra

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Near perfection...
Her most satisfying work

Book of Days

Manufacturer: Ecm Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Meredith Monk: Dolmen Music
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ASIN: B000025ZJM
Release Date: 2000-02-01

Tracks:

Book Of Days: Early Morning Melody
Book Of Days: Travellers 1, 2, 3
Book Of Days: Dawn
Book Of Days: Travellers 4 - Churchyard Entertainment
Book Of Days: Afternoon Melodies
Book Of Days: Fields - Clouds
Book Of Days: Dusk
Book Of Days: Eva's Song
Book Of Days: Evening
Book Of Days: Travellers 5
Book Of Days: Jewish Storyteller - Dance - Dream
Book Of Days: Plague
Book Of Days: Madwoman's Vision
Book Of Days: Cave Song

Customer Reviews:

Near perfection..........2001-05-18

Being an instrumentalist, I've never been bothered by the complaints of my friends that Meredith Monk has no lyrics -- like a great, perfectly blended wind ensemble, her cast gives a flawless and nuanced performance throughout. At equal turns ecstasy of beauty, eery and haunting, and laugh-out-loud spritely, the two parts I didn't like on this CD were, unsuprisingly, the improvisational bagpipe and the eery but jarring Madwoman's Song. But with an experimenter like Meredith Monk, not everything will hit with everybody, and these thematically provided appropriate contrast to the unrelenting beauty of the rest of the CD. Ms. Monk's unique style and ever strong voice fit perfectly with the medieval setting. Now, anyone know where to find the movie this is the soundtrack to? I've been intrigued with finding it since the day I got this CD of peace and beauty...

Her most satisfying work.......2000-11-13

The finest, most fully realized Meredith Monk cd, methinks. The medieval theme does her well, puts her vocal explorations in a context that really brings out the magic in the music. One of the few CDs I know that can completely transform the feel of a room it's being played in. Wonderful.

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Possibly the best Monk album out there; absolutely outstanding!
Wonderful Monk-THE place to start.
THE BEST MONK RECORD.....PERIOD!
Most composers can only dream of such perfection
Great Monk CD

Monk's Dream
Thelonious Monk Quartet
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000026BE
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Monk's Dream
Body And Soul
Bright Mississippi
Five Spot Blues
Bolivar Blues
Just A Gigolo
Bye-Ya
Sweet And Lovely

Amazon.com essential recording

Customer Reviews:

Possibly the best Monk album out there; absolutely outstanding!.......2007-05-07

If I had to recommend a single Monk album to purchase, even a single Jazz album, it would undoubtedly be this one. The songs, mostly Monk tunes, are quirky and innovative while being tuneful and catchy. The tracks are diverse from a rhythmic and harmonic perspective, although they're arguably a little more conservative than "typical" Monk, if there is such a thing. Perhaps most importantly, the four musicians featured here work together perfectly: Thelonious Monk, Charlie Rouse on Tenor Sax, John Ore on Bass, and Frankie Dunlop on drums. I would argue that the three musicians other than Monk featured on this album are often under-appreciated, even if they are not quite as original as Monk himself.

Charlie Rouse is a brilliant phraser whose harmonic sense meshes perfectly with Monk's tunes. His solos on this album are incredibly gripping, while blending perfectly with the textures created by the other musicians. I also love the way his solos have a sense of continuity and shape; he certainly has a "big picture" of his solo, with much more structure than just isolated phrases and licks--and this is the same reason I like Monk's improvisation so much.

John Ore does a fantastic job on bass, particularly on the blues tracks, where he creates a very unusual and innovative chromatic texture, creating tension in a way distinct from other bass players. He also does a fantastic job of connecting this tension with the phrasing of the soloists. Frankie Dunlop is often considered to be the best drummer to work together with Monk's style, and I completely agree: his interplay with Monk is truly engaging to listen to.

And of course, Monk is just amazing, overflowing with new ideas, innovative rhythms, harmonies, and bizarre musical structures. His solo on Bright Mississippi is absolutely insane; I find myself listening to that track over and over again.

All four players on this album are intimately aware of what the others are playing and are molding a coherent unified texture of complex music. This album is Jazz at its best; it will find a welcome place in the collection of any Jazz enthusiast.

Wonderful Monk-THE place to start........2002-02-21

This disc is my favorite of Monk's. It's a blast to listen to and very easy to hum along to. Great tunes! This is also a great place for those unfamiliar with Monk to begin to explore his unique piano universe. A number of my friends who normally do not listen to jazz have found themselves really enjoying this album. Monk was uniquely able to craft instantly catchy tunes without sounding cliche or Kenny G. Check out "Bright Mississippi" for starters. The music *sounds* like sunlight glistening off of the waters' surface. The way this group swings has not been matched, except perhaps by a few Art Blakey recordings. Not one even average tune. An amazing album and a high point in Monk's career.

Essential.

THE BEST MONK RECORD.....PERIOD!.......2001-06-18

one day i got an offer in the mail from columbia house for a classic jazz series they were offering.3 discs a month for i think $30,supposedly of the best to offer.i had just started listening to jazz in general on the radio(wdcb and wbez),and thought it would be a good way to find out some good stuff."monks dream"was in that first shipment.i had no idea what it would actually sound like,only that his music was"quirky"and"weird"?this record started me on becoming a monk fanatic.i have heard it by now thousands of times since then,and never get tired of it.if it isnt the best one he ever made,it is his best columbia release.if i ever start to play piano again,it will be to learn how to play the music on this record.i never stop telling anyone who doesnt like "jazz",that this is not kenny g!

Most composers can only dream of such perfection.......2001-04-29

I just love to discover great new or old music and it's happened again with Thelonius Monk. I'd always heard *of* him but never got around to listening. Well, jazzed by the recent Ken Burns series (although I missed the Monk portion), I bought a Monk CD, and another, and now more. I'm knocked out by Monk's Dream and Straight, No Chaser in particular. He plays such pretty melodies on the piano but always with a touch of dissonance (although not too much). It's as if Monk is saying, ah, it's a beautiful world but some things aren't quite right so I'm gonna add a little edge to this chord--which he does. Monk is mercurial, with swing. And the band swings right along. The interplay between Monk and Charlie Rouse is especially satisfying. Agreed, this is a great CD for introducing someone to jazz.

Great Monk CD.......2000-08-11

This CD was my first Monk CD, and i'm glad i got it. It isn't an example of Monk's most searching and innovative work, (See, for example, Brilliant Corners) but it grooves well. Charlie Rouse's soloing fits well with what Monk was trying to say, although Rouse has a tendency to repeat himself, setting up solos on different tracks with the same licks, and following similar patterns in his solos. Still, his sound is great, and Monk is in top form all throughout the CD, with excellent solos and a great feel for melodies.

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Bryn [Double Album Special Edition]

Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0007OQDGO
Release Date: 2005-03-28

Tracks:

Toreador Song
Shenandoah
Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn
Pearl Fishers' Duet (Ft Andrea Bocelli)
Lord Is My Shepherd
Danny Boy
Bella Notte
Goin Home
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Home Sweet Home
Ave Maria (Ft Sissel)
Il Mio Cuore Va
At The River
None But The Lonely Heart
If I Can Help Somebody
Lullaby
Abide With Me
Lazybones
Impossible Dream
Plaisir D'amour
Granada
God Bless The Child
Amazing Grace
Tua Bethlehem Dref
O Come All Ye Faithful
Shenandoah (Video)

Album Details

From the Platinum Selling Album 'bryn' Comes this UK Special Edition Double Album. Tracks Include "The Impossible Dream", "Plaisir D'amour", "Granada", "God Bless the Child", "Amazing Grace (From "Songs of Praise"), "Tua Bethlehem Dref" and "o Come all Ye Faithful". Terfel is Joined by Andrea Bocelli for "The Pearl Fishers' Duet" and Sissel for Schubert's "Ave Maria".

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Let this sound fill your house

Throw the House out of the Windowe

Manufacturer: Marquis Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005A8DR
Release Date: 2001-03-20

Tracks:

Throw The House Out Of The Windowe
The Galloping Nag/Strawberries And Cream
Lady In The Dark/The Lord Monk's March/Welcome Home, Old Rowley
Spanish Jigg/Spagnoletta
The Spanish Pavan
The Spanish Measures
Bill Ellis' Hornpipe/McKenna's Jig/Belinda's Waltz And Chase
Wooden Shooes
The Cobbler/The Cobbler's Jig
The Cobbler's Hornpipe
Lament For The Death Of His Brother/Lawer's House/The Drummer/Jenny Nettles
Chirping Of The Nightingale
Come, Heavy Sleep
Porter's Dream

Customer Reviews:

Let this sound fill your house.......2005-02-27

I first heard a cut from "Throw the House out of the Windowe" on the radio and it instantly got my attention. I said to my wife: "That's the kind of music I'd like to fill our house with." And so it proved to be - despite the ironic counterpoint of the album title.

People walk into our house and ask "What's that you're playing." We have given this album as a gift as far afield as Australia (we and it are Canadian) and, after a couple of years are still waiting for Terry McKenna's next.

From The Kitchen Archives - New Music New York 1979

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From The Kitchen Archives - New Music New York 1979

Manufacturer: Orange Mountain Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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From The Kitchen, Archives No. 2: Steve Reich and Musicians, Live 1977
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Philip Glass : Les Enfants Terribles

ASIN: B0002251DM
Release Date: 2004-04-13

Tracks:

Dance No. 4 (Philip Glass)
Do You Be (Meredith Monk)
Criss Cross (Jon Gibson)
Where We Are (Garrett List)
Schoolwork (Gordon Mumma)
The Kim and I (George Lewis)
Five Orchestral Pieces for Opus Tree (Michael Nyman)
The Tuning Meditation (Pauline Oliveros)

Tracks:

Secret Songs (Tom Johnson)
Secret Songs (Tom Johnson)
Secret Songs (Tom Johnson)
Dream Song/Vision Chant (Charlie Morrow)
Exchanges (Barbary Benary)
Four Arthurs/Two Octaves and a Fifth (Phill Niblock)
Touch Tones (David Behrman)
Solo (Joel Chadabe)
Untitled Pieces (Tony Conrad)
Untitled for Solo Voice (Charlemagne Palestine)
Drumming, Part One (Steve Reich)

Album Description

Founded in 1971 by video artists Woody and Steina Vasulka, The Kitchen is internationally known as a leading center for video, music, dance, performance, new media and literature. The first institution to focus exclusively on cutting-edge, multidisciplinary works, it has been a powerful force in shaping the cultural landscape of this country. Over the last thirty years The Kitchen has documented every one of its performances with video and/or audiotape. However, in recent years much of this documentation, primarily recorded on what are now obsolete formats, began deteriorating. In 1999, under the leadership of Executive Director Elise Bernhardt, and with the dedication of The Kitchen9s Board of Directors and the help of numerous donors, The Kitchen began an initiative to catalog and re-master its extensive collection of 3600 videotapes. In the fall of 2001, an additional trove of audio recordings from the 1970s was discovered. While these tapes promised rare and exciting music by such artists as John Cage, Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, and David Tudor (in the first box alone!), none of this material could be accessed without proper cleaning and re-formatting and the funds and facilities to do so. A recent collaborative partnership with The Looking Glass Studios and Philip Glass9 label, Orange Mountain Music, has allowed for the restoration of a number of audio reels. This work has been done with the goal of producing a series of CDs, From The Kitchen Archives, with New Music, New York 1979 as the first release. This 2-disc set offers re-mastered recordings from the landmark New Music, New York: A Festival of Composers and their Music, held at the Kitchen9s 484 Broome Street space in SoHo from June 8-16, 1979. The festival, which set a standard for new and contemporary music, paved the way for New Music America, the annual event that emerged the following year in Minneapolis and ran in various cities until 1990. Now 25 years later, these recordings are an invaluable time-capsule, a privileged view/listen into a historic event, initially heard by only a few hundred people. Beyond their historic value they offer brilliant and exciting music by composers now considered masters of the genre, as well as remarkable performances by figures nearly forgotten. While many recordings from the festival could be restored, several gaps remain: concerts that were either not recorded or whose tapes vanished into the ether of the last 25 years. That said, we feel extremely fortunate to be able to release New Music, New York 1979 as our first CD in a series that promises to make available more lost treasures from The Kitchen Archives, uncovering the origins of new music today.

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Prokofiev: Songs and Romances

Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000508XB
Release Date: 2000-10-24

Tracks:

The Ugly Duckling, Op.18 - Victoria Yevtodieva/Yuri Serov
Three Songs To Words, Op.73: The Pines - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Three Songs To Words, Op.73: The Rosy Dawn is Coloring The East - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Three Songs To Words, Op.73: To Your Room - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Arrangements Of Traditional Russian Songs, Op.104: White Snow - Lyubov Sokolova/Yuri Serov
Arrangements Of Traditional Russian Songs, Op.104: The Monk - Lyubov Sokolova/Yuri Serov
Arrangements Of Traditional Russian Songs, Op.104: Green Grove - Lyubov Sokolova/Yuri Serov
Arrangements Of Traditional Russian Songs, Op.104: Summer Elderberries (A Wedding Celebration Chant) - Lyubov Sokolova/Yuri Serov
Two Duets: Everybody Gets Married - Konstantin Pluzhnikov/Sergei Aleksashkin/Yuri Serov
Two Duets: The Glorious Moscow Road - Konstantin Pluzhnikov/Sergei Aleksashkin/Yuri Serov
Green Jar - Sergei Aleksashkin/Yuri Serov
Seven Songs, Op.79: Song Of My Homeland - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Seven Songs, Op.79: Stakhanovka (A Model Female Worker) - Victoria Yevtodieva/Yuri Serov
Seven Songs, Op.79: Over The Polar Sea - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Seven Songs, Op.79: Seeing Off - Victoria Yevtodieva/Yuri Serov
Seven Songs, Op.79: Bravely Forward! - Konstantin Pluzhnikov/Yuri Serov
Seven Songs, Op.79: A Cossack Was Strolling The Town - Konstantin Pluzhnikov/Yuri Serov
Seven Songs, Op.79: Hey, Down The Road - Konstantin Pluzhnikov/Yuri Serov
Three Songs For Children, Op.68: The Chatterbox - Victoria Yevtodieva/Yuri Serov
Three Songs For Children, Op.68: A Sweet Song - Victoria Yevtodieva/Yuri Serov
Three Songs For Children, Op.68: Piglets - Victoria Yevtodieva/Yuri Serov
To My Homeland - Konstantin Pluzhnikov/Yuri Serov
Soldiers' Marching Song - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Two Poems, Op.9: There Are Other Planets - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Two Poems, Op.9: The Boat Pushed Off - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Five Poems, Op.27: The Sun Has Filled The Room - Victoria Yevtodieva/Yuri Serov
Five Poems, Op.27: Real Tenderness - Victoria Yevtodieva/Yuri Serov
Five Poems, Op.27: Memory Of The Sun - Victoria Yevtodieva/Yuri Serov
Five Poems, Op.27: Hello! - Victoria Yevtodieva/Yuri Serov
Five Poems, Op.27: The Grey-Eyed King - Victoria Yevtodieva/Yuri Serov
Five Poems, Op.36: Incantation Of Water And Fire - Konstantin Pluzhnikov/Yuri Serov
Five Poems, Op.36: The Voice Of Birds - Konstantin Pluzhnikov/Yuri Serov
Five Poems, Op.36: The Butterfly - Victoria Yevtodieva/Yuri Serov
Five Poems, Op.36: Remember Me! - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Five Poems, Op.36: The Columns - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Arrangements Of Traditional Russian Songs: A Dream - Lyubov Sokolova/Yuri Serov
Arrangements Of Traditional Russian Songs: Dunyushka - Lyubov Sokolova/Yuri Serov
Arrangements Of Traditional Russian Songs: I See My Friend Nowhere - Lyubov Sokolova/Yuri Serov
Arrangements Of Traditional Russian Songs: Behind The Forest - Lyubov Sokolova/Yuri Serov
Six Songs, Op.66: Zheliznyak The Guerilla Chief - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Six Songs, Op.66: Anyutka - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Six Songs, Op.66: The Country Grows - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Six Songs, Op.66: Through Snow And Fog - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Six Songs, Op.66: Behind The Hill - Victoria Yevtodieva/Yuri Serov
Six Songs, Op.66: Song To Voroshilov - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Five Songs, Op.89: The Son Of Kabarda - Sergei Aleksashkin/Yuri Serov
Five Songs, Op.89: Tankman's Oath - Sergei Aleksashkin/Yuri Serov
Five Songs, Op.89: Soldier's Girlfriend - Victoria Yevtodieva/Yuri Serov
Five Songs, Op.89: Fritz - Konstantin Pluzhnikov/Yuri Serov
Five Songs, Op.89: Song Of The Brave - Konstantin Pluzhnikov/Yuri Serov
Five Poems, Op.23: From Under The Roof - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Five Poems, Op.23: A Gray Dress - Andrey Slavny/Yuri Serov
Five Poems, Op.23: Trust Me - Victoria Yevtodieva/Yuri Serov
Fiv

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One stop shopping.
Lacy Great As Usual, Rudd Not So Hot
If you have not heard this guy you are in for a surprise
A great trio: Lacy, Rudd, and Monk
Capturing The Spirit Of Steve Lacy

Monk's Dream
Steve Lacy & Roswell Rudd
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Three for Shepp
Plays Monk
Reflections: Steve Lacy Plays Thelonious Monk
Snips: Live at Environ
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ASIN: B000042OSL
Release Date: 2000-03-07

Tracks:

Monk's Dream
The Bath
The Rent
Pannonica
A Bright Pearl
Traces
Koko
Grey Blue
The Door

Amazon.com

Soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy has devoted much of his career to the music of Thelonious Monk, with whom he played for a few months in 1960. Shortly after that gig, Lacy teamed with trombonist Roswell Rudd in a quartet devoted exclusively to Monk's music. It's no surprise, then, that this reunion finds the pair once again paying tribute to Monk. Sparked by the quirky interplay between Lacy's spry, angular soprano sax and Rudd's rollicking trombone, this meeting captures the joyful, unfettered sense of exploration that can be missing in overly academic readings of Monk. Lacy and Rudd rear back and let 'er rip, with Lacy tracing brisk, sharply defined lines around the perimeter of the tunes while Rudd huffs, puffs, and wobbles his way along a path closer to the song's charming center. While only two Monk compositions are covered here ("Monk's Dream" and "Pannonica"), Lacy's "The Rent" sounds as if it could have been lifted from the composer's notes while Ellington's "Koko" is given a robust, swinging workout that revels in the nooks and crannies of the piece. Supported by Lacy's longtime rhythm section of Jean-Jacques Avenel (bass) and John Betsch (drums), this is a warm, yet precisely rendered work by two of creative jazz's finest. --S. Duda

Customer Reviews:

One stop shopping........2004-05-16

Something must be in the water at Verve records. Last year they brought us the most unlikely major label album in years. The Cecil Taylor / Dewey Redman / Elvin Jones free jazz trio album that burned up all the critics picks for 1999. And it seems they're on a similar course with this one. Granted, Lacy's work has never been as difficult to digest as Taylor's has, but artists of his age and prominence are usually ignored by major American labels in favor of hot young up and comers. Whatever the reason for this album's major label release, rejoice. It may be one of his best in years. He is joined by his long time collaborator trombonist Roswell Rudd with whom he had played and recorded with years ago. This is a stripped down quartet album: soprano sax / trombone / drums and bass. There are however, two tracks with his wife singing in her "art-song" styled vocals on the heads of the pieces. This is an acquired taste for most people, and for those that have not heard them before, can be a bit off putting. When he was signed to Novus years ago, there was a conscious effort to keep her off the albums, so as not to scare off the record buying public. Brave move here by Verve to include her. The pieces are primarily what Lacy has referred to in concert as his "hits" and of course a few Monk tunes. This is a classic jam style session with lots of open blowing and solo space. No tricky stylistic shifts or post-modern juxtapositions on this here album, no sir. Just old fashioned blowing, kind of nice for a change. If you were to only buy one Steve Lacy album, you could do far worse.

Lacy Great As Usual, Rudd Not So Hot.......2003-04-23

Never is heard a discouraging word about trombonist Roswell Rudd, but listening to him lag behind the beat, create sound effects, and project a maybe-I'm-here-maybe-I'm-not affect just makes me tired. The CD picks up energy in the second half, as if the tracks were recorded in order and Rudd finally gets going. Oddly, the vocal tracks are the best, even though Aebi dubbed her voice in later rather than recording live with the band. What you want, instead of this CD, is "The Beat Suite" by Lacy with trombonist George Lewis, who astonishes with his facility and ideas.

If you have not heard this guy you are in for a surprise.......2003-02-04

Ok, i come from liking bands (and still do) like Mahavishnu orchestra, Weather Report, Soft Machine, etc.where jazz was mixed with other genre like rock or "world music". Really, its probably the only way a rock lover ever meets jazz. Then i started to encounter bands like carla bley, or John abercrombie quartet, where the balance is tipped a bit more to the jazz side of things. One day you come across a guy like Steve Lacy and suddenly you realize you are in the beginning againg...music which is not afraid to experiment with avant garde and mix the roots of jazz with whatever. Of course lacy made an incredible impact on me because this cat not only can play but composes very original stuff too. I suggest you start with the things he recorded in the Hatology label , or the silkheart label, but this is also a good one. Incredible playing, nice covers and wacky originals...for those not afraid to have their jazz as it is supposed to be...ever moving foward!

A great trio: Lacy, Rudd, and Monk.......2000-06-22

A good recording. Contains many of the songs recorded on "The Rent" with the Steve Lacy Trio. The trombone/soprano sax combination makes for an interesting sound. The choice of material is good with catchy melodies and plenty of room for improvising. Irene Adei sings on two songs - her style is more opera than Ella and it can be a shock when her voice jumps out of the speakers for the first time (about 20 minutes into the CD). A very enjoyable recording that holds up on repeated listenings.

Capturing The Spirit Of Steve Lacy.......2000-06-13

In early March, I had the opportunity to see soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy with pianist Danilo Perez in Kansas City. Unfortunately, the flowery playing of Perez was not an ideal match for the bittersweet and angular approach of Lacy. I yearned to hear Lacy in a more supportive setting. The opportunity came a few days later with the release of Monk's Dream whcih features long-time Lacy counterparts Roswell Rudd (trombone), Jean Jacques Avinel (bass), John Betsch (drums) and Irene Aebi (vocals). For those of you unfamiliar with Lacy's style, this is a perfect place to start. It features fresh interpretations of Thelonius Monk tunes, something Lacy has been doing since the late 1950's; Lacy's tone poems, which are sung by his wife, Aebi; and some of Lacy's quirky compositions and playing as in "The Bath." Kudos to Verve for capturing the spirit of Steve Lacy and recording him with the people who know his music best.

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