It's Monk's Time

[Tom 1960]

I've been picking up a few of Monk's Columbia/Sony releases recently and came across this date and was surprised to see it's OOP here in the U.S. Only available as an import at present. Well, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised with the state of the music industry these days. Apparently this must have been reissued some years back? It would be great to get ahold of this album. Anyone else surprised this isn't widely available, afterall it's Monk. I'd also appreciate your thoughts on this date. How does it compare to his other releases for the Colombia/Sony label?

[jeffcrom]

I would put three or four of Monk's Columbia albums above this one, but don't get the wrong idea - I think It's Monk's Time is a great album; I just think others are even better. It has a couple of less-often-played Monk tunes ("Brake's Sake," "Shuffle Boil") and a great version of "Lulu's Back in Town." If you find a reasonably-priced copy, it's definitely worth picking up.

[AndrewHill]

Wow, can't believe this one's OOP (those prices are through the roof!). I think its a pretty good date, if not a really good date (Monk's Dream is my favorite, but that may be because it was my first Columbia Monk date).

Edited November 25, 2010 by Holy Ghost

[Stereojack]

a great version of "Lulu's Back in Town."

The version of "Lulu" makes this an essential Monk album for me.

[brownie]

Widely available from Amazon.fr at reasonable prices!

[cih]

I like it - a fair amount of solo Monk on it - some knockabout stride and some delicate stuff too. Also I like Stuffy Turkey - with the bass sound prominent like on some of the live recordings.

[paul secor]

New copies at U.S. Amazon for under $6. http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0000ALWF3/ref=sr_1_2_olp?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1290703596&sr=1-2&condition=new

[Tom 1960]

New copies at U.S. Amazon for under $6. http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0000ALWF3/ref=sr_1_2_olp?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1290703596&sr=1-2&condition=new

Ok, excuse me, dumb question time. The import version is on the Sony label? The reason I ask is that Amazon doesn't state that in the product listing although I assume it is.

[aparxa]

I really like the solo pieces such as Memories or Nice work. Lulu is just a masterpiece. I love the way Monk rearranged some standards with a percussive intro and a great energy all along. Such as My Ideal in the late years.

% I recently discovered the lyrics of Lulu and realized it was quite sililar to Jacques Brel's Mathilde.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvphcnvbbpY

Edited November 25, 2010 by aparxa

[jazzbo]

You have to have this release just for "Shuffle Boil" and "Lulu's Back in Town." Some of the best of the Columbia tracks.

Tom, that LOOKS like a Columbia or CBS release, but you're right, really hard to tell from the information there.

[jazzbo]

I did a little detective work. The amazon.com item code is the same as that on this UK Amazon page, which shows the label as Sony Jazz:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Its-Monks-Time-Thelonious-Monk/dp/B0000ALWF3

I've bought other Sony reissues in this series and they're identical to previous reissues in sound and basic design. I'd say go for one of the new copies from marketplace sellers.

[Tom 1960]

I did a little detective work. The amazon.com item code is the same as that on this UK Amazon page, which shows the label as Sony Jazz:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Its-Monks-Time-Thelonious-Monk/dp/B0000ALWF3

I've bought other Sony reissues in this series and they're identical to previous reissues in sound and basic design. I'd say go for one of the new copies from marketplace sellers.

Thanks!

[mikeweil]

French CBS did a CD reissue years before SONY in the US. But the US edition includes some valuable bonus tracks or edits undone, so watch out.

The version Tom 1960 linked is the one I'm talking about:

1. Lulu's Back In Town 9:55

2. Memories Of You 6:05

3. Stuffy Turkey 8:10

4. Brake's Sake 12:25

5. Nice Work If You Can Get It (Take 3) 4:14

6. Shuffle Boil (Retake) 7:07

7. Epistrophy (Take 1) 5:04

8. Nice Work If You Can Get It (Take 2) 4:06

9. Shuffle Boil (Take 5) 4:51

Edited November 25, 2010 by mikeweil

[king ubu]

There *might* be a cheapo Euro version around by now (with the beige border around the cover).

Those have the remasters (i.e. unedited versions, alternates and all) BUT a basic booklet without any liner notes, just production credits and tracklists etc.