It's Monk's Time [Bonus Tracks]

Read About This Recording

One of the geniuses of American music, Thelonious Monk was a completely original pianist and composer throughout his career. Although a bit influenced by Teddy Wilson and James P. Johnson in his earliest days and often considered one of the founders of bebop, Monk sounded like no one else by the time he made his first studio recordings in 1944. His chord voicings were unique, he could play stride piano in a very sparse and futuristic way and his compositions were considered so complex that, even during the Bop Era (despite "'Round Midnight" becoming a standard), the most adventurous beboppers generally avoided his music.

So, as was typical of Monk, he did the unpredictable and largely stayed the same throughout his career. It took 10 years but, finally in 1957, the jazz world caught up with Thelonious and he began to receive the acclaim that he deserved by the mid-1940s. Monk became one of the most famous of all jazz musicians, even making the cover of Time Magazine in 1964, without watering down or simplifying his music. He remained a vital force until his retirement in the mid-1970s and, since his death, his influence and fame have grown even more.

It's Monk’s Time dates from 1964 and has Butch Warren on bass. Expanded from the original LP with the inclusion of three additional numbers, the music has the looseness and spontaneity of a live set. Monk and Charlie Rouse are in top form on "Lulu's Back in Town" and "Shuffle Boil" while Thelonious takes "Memories of You" and "Nice Work if You Can Get It" as charming and nostalgic piano solos.

The typically unique compositions and solos of Thelonious Monk result in quite a bit of wonderful music on this enjoyable release.

—Scott Yanow

Extended Article

It's Monk's Time was recorded when the great composer-pianist's time had truly come. Monk's third Columbia album was the result of four sessions from January to March 1964 - roughly concurrent with the moment when he became an overnight sensation as the subject of a Time magazine (Feb. 28, 1964) cover profile. But if Monk (1917-1982) had at long last crashed middlebrow culture, his work showed no signs of abandoning its unique time zone. Of all his Columbia studio dates, the one, and 1967-68's Underground, feature some of his quartet's most purposefully extended performances. It's Monk's Time, which introduced drummer Ben Riley to the band (he would remain in the fold for the next five years), contains three new originals: Stuffy Turkey, Shuffle Boil and Brake's Sake. There's also a delightful evocation of Monk's stride piano roots at the outset of Lulu's Back in Tow. Now expanded to nine numbers with the additions of two alternate takes (one previously unissued), plus a complete Epistrophy, Monk's longtime closing theme, It's Monk's Time is further graced by an essay from the respected pianist Dick Katz.

Contents

Lulu's Back in Town; Memories of You; Stuffy Turkey; Brake's Sake; Nice Work if You Can Get It*; Shuffle Boil*; Epistrophy*.

(*Includes previously unreleased takes.)

Thelonious Monk, Piano; Ben Riley, Drums; Charlie Rouse, Tenor Sax; Butch Warren, Bass.

CD Special Features

Jazz masterpiece

• Includes 3 bonus tracks & 1 previously unreleased
• Features Charlie Rouse, Butch Warren & Ben Riley
• New liner notes by pianist Dick Katz
• Produced for reissue by Orrin Keepnews
• 24-bit digitally remastered