Monk's Dream

Artist: Thelonious Monk Quartet

Number of Discs: 1

Total time: 46:28
Label: Columbia
Availability: In stock
Item #: 5168787

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Review

Monk's Dream is the Columbia Records debut release featuring the Thelonious Monk Quartet: Monk (piano), Charlie Rouse (tenor sax), John Ore (bass), and Frankie Dunlop (drums). Jazz scholars and enthusiasts alike also heralded this combo as the best Monk had been involved with for several years. Although he would perform and record supported by various other musicians, the tight -- almost telepathic -- dimensions that these four shared has rarely been equalled in any genre. By the early '60s, bop had become considered passé by artists as well as fans looking for the next musical trend. This is coupled with the fact that discerning Monk fans would have undoubtedly recognized many of these titles from several live recordings issued at the end of his tenure on Riverside. Not to belabor the point, however, but precious few musicians understood the layer upon layer of complexities and challenges that Monk's music created. On tracks such as "Five Spot Blues" and "Bolivar Blues," Rouse and Dunlop demonstrate their uncanny abilities by squeezing in well-placed instrumental fills, while never getting hit by the unpredictable rhythmic frisbees being tossed about by Monk. Augmenting the six quartet recordings are two solo sides: "Just a Gigolo" and "Body and Soul." Most notable about Monk's solo work is how much he retained the same extreme level of intuition throughout the nearly two decades that separate these recordings from his initial renderings on Prestige in the late '40s. Monk's Dream is recommended, with something for every degree of Monk enthusiast. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

Read About This Recording

Throughout his career, Thelonious Monk always stood apart from everyone else both as a pianist and as a composer. Although he was part of the bebop generation, Monk's music was different than bop, placing a strong emphasis on melodic development even when his own melodies were quite complex and tricky. His solos were logical outgrowths of his themes rather than just following the chord changes. Also, as a pianist, Monk had his own touch on the piano. Conventional chords somehow sounded different when he played them and his solo style was unlike anyone else's.

After years of neglect, by the early 1960s Thelonious Monk had finally become famous. He signed with Columbia and 1962's Monk's Dream was his debut for the label. Featured is his regular quartet of the period which includes tenor-saxophonist Charlie Rouse (who was with the pianist for a decade), bassist John Ore and drummer Frankie Dunlop. The musicians perform five of Thelonious' originals including Bright Mississippi (which is based a bit on Sweet Georgia Brown), Bye-Ya and Five Spot Blues. In addition, the quartet plays the standard Sweet And Lovely and Monk takes brief versions of Body and Soul and Just A Gigolo as piano solos.

Monk's Dream gives listeners a healthy sampling of the playing of the great Thelonious Monk.

-Scott Yanow

Monk's Dream; Body and Soul; Bright Mississippi; Five Spot Blues; Bolivar Blues; Just A Gigolo; Bye-Ya; Sweet And Lovely.

The Thelonious Monk Quartet: Thelonious Monk, Piano; Charlie Rouse, Sax; John Ore, Bass; Frankie Dunlop, Drums.

Tracks + Soundclips

Monk's Dream
	1. Monk's Dream	6:24
	2. Body and Soul	4:27
	3. Bright Mississippi	8:35
	4. Five Spot Blues	3:14
	5. Bolivar Blues	7:30
	6. Just a Gigolo	2:27
	7. Bye-Ya	6:00
	8. Sweet and Lovely	7:51