Name: Monk's Blues by Thelonious Monk
Brand: Thelonious Monk
SKU: 074645358123
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 2 (77 reviews)

ALBUM

Although nostalgia has allowed Monk's Blues to age more gracefully than perhaps the recording deserves, it remains an unfortunate fact that Thelonious Sphere Monk's final studio sessions were very poorly conceived. The idea of Monk performing with a big band was inspired nobly enough by the February '59 NYC Town Hall performance which was issued as Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall. These studio recordings fall far short of that classic live encounter. However there are a few brief moments of inspiration that are not overcome by random blasts from an over driven hollow sounding horn section. The challenge of arranging Monk for big band instrumentation fell upon Oliver Nelson, whose best remembered works include an array of television theme songs -- Ironside, Columbo and the Six Million Dollar Man among them. Many of the same techniques are likewise incorporated into the approach Nelson uses on Monk Blues. Perhaps it is cosmically fitting that the sessions were held at Columbia studios in tinsel town. There are a few write offs. "Rootie Tootie" is destroyed by an overwrought brass section which completely drowns Monk. "Consecutive Seconds" -- one of the two compositions penned by producer Teo Macero -- is simply abysmal. If this was an attempt to get Monk to play soul music it failed. It does succeed in sounding embarrassingly dated however. Thelonious' genius shines through on some of the more sensible and sensitive arrangements such as "Reflections", "Monk's Point" and the surprisingly tasteful "Brilliant Corners. The 1994 CD edition adds two performances not featured on the vinyl incarnation. "Blue Monk" features a stirring solo from Thelonious. "'Round Midnight" is a previously unissued solo side cut at the Monk's Blues sessions. The sheer brilliance in Monk's emotive and seemingly frustrated intonations may well be an exorcism for the sins of the rest of the album. ~ Lindsay Planer

10. Blue Monk

by Thelonious Sphere Monk

Bass: Lawrence Gales; Performer
Primary Artist: Thelonious Monk; Main Performer
Drums: Benjamin Riley; Performer
Guitar: Howard Roberts; Performer
Percussion: John Guerin; Performer
Performer: Thelonious Sphere Monk
Thelonious Monk; Performer
Piano: Thelonious Monk; Performer
Saxophone: Frederick Hill
Ernest West
Ernie Small
Thomas Scott
Gene Cipriano
Charlie Rouse; Performer
Trombone: William Byers
Mike Wimberly; Performer
Trumpet: Robert Brookmeyer
Robert "bobby" Bryant
Conte Candoli
Robert Bryant; Performer
Composer: Thelonious Monk; Composer
Lyricist: Thelonious Monk; Composer
Engineer: Arthur Kendy
Bill Driml
Rafael O. Valentin
Russ Payne
Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Teo Macero; Production
Reissue Producer: John Snyder; Production

6. Consecutive Seconds

by Thelonious Sphere Monk

Bass: Lawrence Gales; Performer
Primary Artist: Thelonious Monk; Main Performer
Drums: Benjamin Riley; Performer
Guitar: Howard Roberts; Performer
Percussion: John Guerin; Performer
Performer: Thelonious Sphere Monk
Thelonious Monk; Performer
Piano: Thelonious Monk; Performer
Saxophone: Frederick Hill
Ernest West
Ernie Small
Thomas Scott
Gene Cipriano
Charlie Rouse; Performer
Trombone: William Byers
Mike Wimberly; Performer
Trumpet: Robert Brookmeyer
Robert "bobby" Bryant
Conte Candoli
Robert Bryant; Performer
Composer: Teo Macero
T. Macero; Composer
Lyricist: Teo Macero
T. Macero; Composer
Engineer: Arthur Kendy
Bill Driml
Rafael O. Valentin
Russ Payne
Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Teo Macero; Production
Reissue Producer: John Snyder; Production

3. Rootie Tootie

by Thelonious Sphere Monk

Bass: Lawrence Gales; Performer
Primary Artist: Thelonious Monk; Main Performer
Drums: Benjamin Riley; Performer
Guitar: Howard Roberts; Performer
Percussion: John Guerin; Performer
Performer: Thelonious Sphere Monk
Thelonious Monk; Performer
Piano: Thelonious Monk; Performer
Saxophone: Frederick Hill
Ernest West
Ernie Small
Thomas Scott
Gene Cipriano
Charlie Rouse; Performer
Trombone: William Byers
Mike Wimberly; Performer
Trumpet: Robert Brookmeyer
Robert "bobby" Bryant
Conte Candoli
Robert Bryant; Performer
Composer: Thelonious Monk
T. Monk; Composer
Lyricist: Thelonious Monk
T. Monk; Composer
Engineer: Arthur Kendy
Bill Driml
Rafael O. Valentin
Russ Payne
Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Teo Macero; Production
Reissue Producer: John Snyder; Production

7. Monk's Point

by Thelonious Sphere Monk

Bass: Lawrence Gales; Performer
Primary Artist: Thelonious Monk; Main Performer
Drums: Benjamin Riley; Performer
Guitar: Howard Roberts; Performer
Percussion: John Guerin; Performer
Performer: Thelonious Sphere Monk
Thelonious Monk; Performer
Piano: Thelonious Monk; Performer
Saxophone: Frederick Hill
Ernest West
Ernie Small
Thomas Scott
Gene Cipriano
Charlie Rouse; Performer
Trombone: William Byers
Mike Wimberly; Performer
Trumpet: Robert Brookmeyer
Robert "bobby" Bryant
Conte Candoli
Robert Bryant; Performer
Composer: Thelonious Monk
T. Monk; Composer
Lyricist: Thelonious Monk
T. Monk; Composer
Engineer: Arthur Kendy
Bill Driml
Rafael O. Valentin
Russ Payne
Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Teo Macero; Production
Reissue Producer: John Snyder; Production

4. Just A Glance At Love (Album Version)

by Thelonious Sphere Monk

Bass: Lawrence Gales; Performer
Primary Artist: Thelonious Monk; Main Performer
Drums: Benjamin Riley; Performer
Guitar: Howard Roberts; Performer
Percussion: John Guerin; Performer
Performer: Thelonious Sphere Monk
Thelonious Monk; Performer
Piano: Thelonious Monk; Performer
Saxophone: Frederick Hill
Ernest West
Ernie Small
Thomas Scott
Gene Cipriano
Charlie Rouse; Performer
Trombone: William Byers
Mike Wimberly; Performer
Trumpet: Robert Brookmeyer
Robert "bobby" Bryant
Conte Candoli
Robert Bryant; Performer
Composer: Teo Macero
T. Macero; Composer
Lyricist: Teo Macero
T. Macero; Composer
Engineer: Arthur Kendy
Bill Driml
Rafael O. Valentin
Russ Payne
Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Teo Macero; Production
Reissue Producer: John Snyder; Production

1. Let's Cool One (Album Version)

by Thelonious Sphere Monk

Bass: Lawrence Gales; Performer
Primary Artist: Thelonious Monk; Main Performer
Drums: Benjamin Riley; Performer
Guitar: Howard Roberts; Performer
Percussion: John Guerin; Performer
Performer: Thelonious Sphere Monk
Thelonious Monk; Performer
Piano: Thelonious Monk; Performer
Saxophone: Frederick Hill
Ernest West
Ernie Small
Thomas Scott
Gene Cipriano
Charlie Rouse; Performer
Trombone: William Byers
Mike Wimberly; Performer
Trumpet: Robert Brookmeyer
Robert "bobby" Bryant
Conte Candoli
Robert Bryant; Performer
Composer: Thelonious Monk
T. Monk; Composer
Lyricist: Thelonious Monk
T. Monk; Composer
Engineer: Arthur Kendy
Bill Driml
Rafael O. Valentin
Russ Payne
Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Teo Macero; Production
Reissue Producer: John Snyder; Production

8. Trinkle, Tinkle

by Thelonious Sphere Monk

Bass: Lawrence Gales; Performer
Primary Artist: Thelonious Monk; Main Performer
Drums: Benjamin Riley; Performer
Guitar: Howard Roberts; Performer
Percussion: John Guerin; Performer
Performer: Thelonious Sphere Monk
Thelonious Monk; Performer
Piano: Thelonious Monk; Performer
Saxophone: Frederick Hill
Ernest West
Ernie Small
Thomas Scott
Gene Cipriano
Charlie Rouse; Performer
Trombone: William Byers
Mike Wimberly; Performer
Trumpet: Robert Brookmeyer
Robert "bobby" Bryant
Conte Candoli
Robert Bryant; Performer
Composer: Thelonious Monk; Composer
Lyricist: Thelonious Monk; Composer
Engineer: Arthur Kendy
Bill Driml
Rafael O. Valentin
Russ Payne
Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Teo Macero; Production
Reissue Producer: John Snyder; Production

11. 'Round Midnight

by Thelonious Sphere Monk

Bass: Lawrence Gales; Performer
Primary Artist: Thelonious Monk; Main Performer
Drums: Benjamin Riley; Performer
Guitar: Howard Roberts; Performer
Percussion: John Guerin; Performer
Performer: Thelonious Sphere Monk
Thelonious Monk; Performer
Piano: Thelonious Monk; Performer
Saxophone: Thomas Scott
Charlie Rouse
Frederick Hill
Ernest West
Ernie Small
Gene Cipriano; Performer
Trombone: Mike Wimberly
William Byers; Performer
Trumpet: Robert Brookmeyer
Robert "bobby" Bryant
Conte Candoli
Robert Bryant; Performer
Composer: Thelonious Monk
Clarence Williams
Bernard Hanighen
B. Hanighen
C. Williams
T. Monk; Composer
Lyricist: Thelonious Monk
Bernard Hanighen
Clarence Williams
B. Hanighen
C. Williams
T. Monk; Composer
Engineer: Arthur Kendy
Bill Driml
Rafael O. Valentin
Russ Payne
Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Teo Macero; Production
Reissue Producer: John Snyder; Production

5. Brilliant Corners (Album Version)

by Thelonious Monk

Bass: Lawrence Gales; Performer
Primary Artist: Thelonious Monk; Main Performer
Drums: Benjamin Riley; Performer
Guitar: Howard Roberts; Performer
Percussion: John Guerin; Performer
Performer: Thelonious Monk; Performer
Piano: Thelonious Monk; Performer
Saxophone: Ernie Watts
Thomas Scott
Frederick Hill
Ernie Small
Gene Cipriano
Charlie Rouse
Ernest West; Performer
Trombone: Mike Wimberly
William Byers; Performer
Trumpet: Robert "bobby" Bryant
Conte Candoli
Robert Brookmeyer
Robert Bryant; Performer
Composer: Thelonious Monk
T. Monk; Composer
Lyricist: Thelonious Monk
T. Monk; Composer
Producer: Teo Macero; Production

9. Straight, No Chaser

by Thelonious Monk

Bass: Lawrence Gales; Performer
Primary Artist: Thelonious Monk; Main Performer
Drums: Benjamin Riley; Performer
Guitar: Howard Roberts; Performer
Percussion: John Guerin; Performer
Performer: Thelonious Monk; Performer
Piano: Thelonious Monk; Performer
Saxophone: Frederick Hill
Ernest West
Ernie Small
Thomas Scott
Gene Cipriano
Charlie Rouse; Performer
Trombone: William Byers
Mike Wimberly; Performer
Trumpet: Robert Brookmeyer
Robert "bobby" Bryant
Conte Candoli
Robert Bryant; Performer
Composer: Thelonious Monk
T. Monk; Composer
Lyricist: Thelonious Monk
T. Monk; Composer
Engineer: Arthur Kendy
Bill Driml
Rafael O. Valentin
Russ Payne
Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Teo Macero; Production
Reissue Producer: John Snyder; Production

2. Reflections (Album Version)

by Thelonious Sphere Monk

Bass: Lawrence Gales; Performer
Primary Artist: Thelonious Monk; Main Performer
Drums: Benjamin Riley; Performer
Guitar: Howard Roberts; Performer
Percussion: John Guerin; Performer
Performer: Thelonious Sphere Monk
Thelonious Monk; Performer
Piano: Thelonious Monk; Performer
Saxophone: Frederick Hill
Ernest West
Ernie Small
Thomas Scott
Gene Cipriano
Charlie Rouse; Performer
Trombone: William Byers
Mike Wimberly; Performer
Trumpet: Robert Brookmeyer
Robert "bobby" Bryant
Conte Candoli
Robert Bryant; Performer
Composer: Thelonious Monk
T. Monk; Composer
Lyricist: Thelonious Monk
T. Monk; Composer
Engineer: Arthur Kendy
Bill Driml
Rafael O. Valentin
Russ Payne
Vic Anesini; Production
Producer: Teo Macero; Production
Reissue Producer: John Snyder; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

11 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

56 minutes and 0 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1400x1400 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

7/11 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

No synced lyrics found

Genres

Jazz, Rock, Blues, Bop

Label

Legacy - Columbia

Music Distribution Service

Sony

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Dec 31, 1967

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

74645358123

Shopping cart

Notification

Monk's Blues

10. Blue Monk

6. Consecutive Seconds

3. Rootie Tootie

7. Monk's Point

4. Just A Glance At Love (Album Version)

1. Let's Cool One (Album Version)

8. Trinkle, Tinkle

11. 'Round Midnight

5. Brilliant Corners (Album Version)

9. Straight, No Chaser

2. Reflections (Album Version)

Technical Specifications

Monk's Blues

Product information

Release options

10. Blue Monk

6. Consecutive Seconds

3. Rootie Tootie

7. Monk's Point

4. Just A Glance At Love (Album Version)

1. Let's Cool One (Album Version)

8. Trinkle, Tinkle

11. 'Round Midnight

5. Brilliant Corners (Album Version)

9. Straight, No Chaser

2. Reflections (Album Version)

Technical Specifications