Thelonious Monk Late Black Lion Recordings, Post-Columbia

[Teasing the Korean]

How are these, and in the grand scheme of things, how "important" are they? There were two albums, one solo and one group, correct? Are these the last things he ever did? I am not a Monk completist, but I have probably 90% of his commercially released output. Just curious. Thanks in advance.

[sidewinder]

They are very good - for my money easily the best of his later recordings, recorded at Chappels Studio in Central London. There were 3LPs I think - compiled in the Mosaic Black Lion box and also a CD box put out by Black Lion (Alan Bates?). Recommended.

[jazzbo]

I'll echo what SW says. Recommended!

[mjzee]

I like them a lot. Monk was awake, alert and energetic. And the rhythm section: Al McKibbon and Art Blakey. C'mon! There were 2 LPs, released in very crackly editions in the U.S.: Something In Blue and The Man I Love. The albums mixed solo tracks with trio tracks. Black Lion subsequently released the entire session in 3 CDs, now unfortunately hard to find.

I found a thread about this topic on the allaboutjazz forum, oddly enough, started by me: http://forums.allaboutjazz.com/archive/index.php/t-5858.html

Edited May 10, 2014 by mjzee

[erwbol]

CD-R alert. I ordered the 24bit remasters a while ago through amazon.de. One of the discs was a CD-R. The other two volumes were still shrink-wrapped when I returned all three volumes for a refund.

[paul secor]

Another for the music.

[soulpope]

CD-R alert. I ordered the 24bit remasters a while ago through amazon.de. One of the discs was a CD-R. The other two volumes were still shrink-wrapped when I returned all three volumes for a refund.

as there seems to float different versions of these rereleases, could you describe how the cd(=cd-r) looks like btw which indicators made you detecting the cd-r status ?

[Stefan Wood]

Monk + Blakey = freaking great music.

[colinmce]

I'll add to the chorus: some of the very best Monk.

[mikeweil]

He was in a relaxed mood, technically in good shape, had two great, old buddies from the bop era with him - must have been some of his happiest moments during those years.

[clifford_thornton]

I have the UK Polydor issues of this material and they sound excellent, no crackle or other issues.

[Chuck Nessa]

I had those as well. No problems but I have replaced them with Black Lion cds. Enjoy.

[Hot Ptah]

In my opinion, they are most definitely worth hearing, and owning.

[imeanyou]

I'm surprised you have 90 % of Monk's commercially released stuff and have never heard these. For me they are a deal better than his later Colombia efforts. As another poster said, Monk seems energised. Look at the choice of material, he hadn't played Trinkle Tinkle in years and yet he comes back to it with great zest. These were some of the first Monk recordings I got hold of when my Monk obsession started. Sound quality is generally excellent if you get the Black Lion cd's. I spotted a Mosaic box set in Disk Union here not long ago and was tempted. Monk puts a fair amount of stride inflection into these sides and it kind of brings him full circle, back to his Harlem roots plus a lifetime 'being just Monk'. Solid gold in my book.

[Teasing the Korean]

I'm surprised you have 90 % of Monk's commercially released stuff and have never heard these. F

My listening is based on what I encounter. This is where I am today.

[Gheorghe]

Monk played very much stride on the solo. The stride version of Trinkle Tinkle is fantastic ! Anyway a hard tune, and then even with stride ....

It was recorded during the same time when the Giants of Jazz played in London. I also like very much Monk´s playing with the Giants.

The latest Monk I heard was 1975 at the Lincoln Center.

[soulpope]

This picture is said having been taken during a gig at Ronnie Scott`s in 1970

[imeanyou]

I'm surprised you have 90 % of Monk's commercially released stuff and have never heard these. F

My listening is based on what I encounter. This is where I am today.

Surely you 'encountered' reports of these recordings, they aren't exactly obscure.

[BillF]

Monk played very much stride on the solo. The stride version of Trinkle Tinkle is fantastic ! Anyway a hard tune, and then even with stride ....

It was recorded during the same time when the Giants of Jazz played in London. I also like very much Monk´s playing with the Giants.

The latest Monk I heard was 1975 at the Lincoln Center.

I've never owned any of the Black Lion discs, but saw the Giants of Jazz in London. This morning I revisited the show preserved here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUVuX3lLrdg

[king ubu]

as there seems to float different versions of these rereleases, could you describe how the cd(=cd-r) looks like btw which indicators made you detecting the cd-r status ?

Happens more and more often, both from labels (sold out CDs, instead of having the entire catalogue OOP they opt for CD-Rs) or from Amazon (I just got one of Nimbus' Benny Carter four disc sets from amazon.de and it was CD-R, although the description says but "Audio CD") ... also bought CD-Rs from small classical labels, in one case they just told me it was a CD when I wrote to them to inquire ... ha! Not sure why folks that depend to at least some part on sales of this want to fool customers ... anyway, this might help some:

http://www.discogs.com/help/database/submission-guidelines-release-format#CD_Versus_CDr

Edited May 11, 2014 by king ubu

[tomatamot]

Not to forget this album recorded live same 1971 Tour.

[Teasing the Korean]

I'm surprised you have 90 % of Monk's commercially released stuff and have never heard these. F

My listening is based on what I encounter. This is where I am today.

Surely you 'encountered' reports of these recordings, they aren't exactly obscure.

I have not, so I though it would be appropriate to inquire about them on a jazz-focused message board of which I am a member. I have a room full of LPs and CDs, and I can't know everything. Thanks for understanding.

Edited May 11, 2014 by Teasing the Korean

[Teasing the Korean]

If I can buy the Mosaic set for cheap, is this the way to go?

[jazzbo]

That's a big if! I'm sure it's a great set. But the individual cds of the Black Lion and Vogue sessions don't sound bad at all. I've gone that route.

[Teasing the Korean]

That's a big if! I'm sure it's a great set. But the individual cds of the Black Lion and Vogue sessions don't sound bad at all. I've gone that route.

Then I'll skip the Mosaic. I don't need yet another copy of that Vogue album.