On Thelonious Monk

[Milestones]

Does anyone else feel that Monk missed opportunities by not creating larger ensembles a bit more often?   I really like the septet on Monk's Music and the mid-size group (mini orchestra?) on At Town Hall.  He was so resolutely about the quartet,  especially in the Columbia years. 

[JSngry]

He did two big band records for Columbia, though. One great, one regrettable. 

[Milestones]

True, but the earlier (and much better) one was only half-big band, and I personally think the tracks could have been shorter and tighter.

 

[jazzbo]

I love the "Big Band and Quartet" material, and there is more recorded on the European tour that is excellent listening.

[Simon8]

Would have loved to hear Monk again in a quartet with vibes in the 60's (as he did with Milt J. in his first recordings).

[Teasing the Korean]

35 minutes ago, JSngry said:

He did two big band records for Columbia, though. One great, one regrettable. 

The "regrettable" one is my favorite.  It is like a space-age bachelor pad Monk album.  I delete the two Teo Macero tunes and add "Blue Monk."  

3 minutes ago, Simon8 said:

Would have loved to hear Monk again in a quartet with vibes in the 60's (as he did with Milt J. in his first recordings).

Yes, I love this stuff.  These tracks are like Monk's equivalent of the Raymond Scott Quintette 1930s recordings.  They suggest a bright, shiny, mechanized future.

[Milestones]

Yes, I too enjoy the combination of Monk and Milt Jackson.  Of course, they did get together again with Miles Davis on Christmas Eve, 1954--what a session that was!

 

[AllenLowe]

the first person I saw quoted as saying Monk could play like Teddy Wilson was Mary Lou Williams. Not sure where I saw it, however.

[JSngry]

1 hour ago, AllenLowe said:

the first person I saw quoted as saying Monk could play like Teddy Wilson was Mary Lou Williams. Not sure where I saw it, however.

When was that? 

[AllenLowe]

18 hours ago, JSngry said:

When was that? 

she was referring to the Minton's days, and if I had to guess where I saw it, it might have been Hear Me Talkin' To You (which is very suspect as a source, now that I think of it). But I really am unsure.

[AllenLowe]

I should mention that I never liked the Hall Overton arrangements; Overton was a great man, but those ensembles are just too dull and conventional sounding to my ears.

Edited January 13, 2023 by AllenLowe

[Gheorghe]

8 hours ago, AllenLowe said:

I should mention that I never liked the Hall Overton arrangements; Overton was a great man, but those ensembles are just too dull and conventional sounding to my ears.

I must admit I didn´t even hear "arranged" Monk. For me, Monk always was quartet with Trane, Rollins, Griffin, Rouse. I think I heard that  the last CBS album of Monk also was some big band stuff that sounded quite commercial......