Monk's Dream

Artist: Thelonious Monk
Label: Sony
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Original recording reissued
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 074646353622
EAN: 0074646353622
ASIN: B00006GO99

Release Date: 2002-09-03

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JAZZ 201: THE INTERMEDIATE COURSE.

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)

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Customer Reviews:

Monk in top form.......2007-02-13

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.......2005-10-16

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.......2005-04-23

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.

If you don't own The Best of the Blue Note Years, it is highly recommended that you purchase both albums. For glimpses of the mad genius, try the video Straight, No Chaser.

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