Thelonious Monk - The Complete Blue Note Recordings

From the 1947 sessions that lead off this set through to the 1958 live recordings at the Five Spot with John Coltrane, this box set chronicles the development of one of the most unique and creative American musicians. The first CD dates entirely from 1947, and on it we hear a Monk conversant in the bebop idiom, his distinct style emerging. By 1951 on the second CD we have a gorgeous version of "Ask Me Now," with all the delightful rhythmic hesitation that became one of his trademarks. "Reflections" on the third CD has Sonny Rollins caressing the melody in an almost languid tempo, followed by a classic version of "Misterioso," with J.J. Johnson and Horace Silver sharing the piano role. The Monk-Coltrane live cuts on the fourth CD are incandescent. All in all, a set that is both enlightening (with a number of alternate takes) in its scope and delightful in its sheer musicianship and creative spark. --Michael Monhart Amazon.com

The authoritative Monk

There's jazz piano, then there's Monk jazz piano. And there's jazz recordings, then there's Blue Note jazz recordings. Put the two together and you get this fascinating, fun, educational, enjoyable 4-CD set. I wish I had bought this earlier in my jazz education, because this covers such a long time span and so many different types of recordings, that I really learned a lot from it. Many songs I had never attempted to play on the piano became possible for me, because I had Monk's frame to work within. The book that accompanies the CD's is very thorough and covers everything from what the recording sessions were like, to the technicalities of the recordings themselves. My favorites are the standards where Kenny Hagood sings, evoking the "bridge" that Monk was soon to form between "classic" jazz and "Monk" jazz. Of course, all of Monk's now famous tunes are here too. The recordings themselves are very clean and clear, which I really like, and there is a wide variety of styles covered on the different discs. I was very satisfied with this set, and I go back to it pretty often. If you're a fan of jazz, especially jazz piano, I'm sure you will too. May 3, 2008

Some of the finest soundwaves in existence

Definitive versions of classic compositions such as Epistrophy, Misterioso, 'Round Midnight and many others, these recordings from Monk's first studio sessions as a leader are some of the most magical and inspiring music ever recorded. The fourth (live) disc is more of a bonus and should not be held against the rating. The sound quality of the three main discs is excellent for its time and actually adds to the mysterious mood. Essential listening. January 7, 2008

It may be early Monk, but this is good stuff!

It's bebop, but it's Monk. He runs his fingers down the keyboard alot, & yet it gasses me every time. Milt Jackson is featured prominently. It may be early Bags, but... June 6, 2002

Not just important, but great music

If you care about jazz at all, then you know Monk is one of the greats, the necessary ones, a great American artist. And this is Monk's most important period, when he confounded the world with his sound and vision. His later period on Riverside produced a lot of great playing, but this set documents the revolution, and you must have it.

The music, the tunes speak for themselves, but what is so important here is the freshness. You are hearing the musicians grapple with Monk's work for the first time, some take naturally to it, others don't, but the tension is an important part of the experience. And you are also hearing his work as all listeners did for the first time, right off his first Blue Note LPs.

Yes, the sound quality on the live set with Coltrane is poor, but a complaint about that is meaningless. The gig was recorded on a cheap tape deck with no professional quality or intent, and the set is what it is, a find, never intended as a record. But the music comes through all the same, better to be with it than without it. May 24, 2000

This is an important set,

but the Riversides are more important and in far better sound. Unless you are a completist (as I am), I would say get "Genious of Modern Music, II" only. It contains the best dates from this set. Then spend the rest of the money that you saved on "Brilliant Corners", "Monk's Music", and "Himself" on Riverside. With that, you will have a great collection of classic Monk. January 10, 2000

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