Thelonious Monk - Underground

Underground was recorded in 1967, about 20 years into the career of this wholly distinctive and unorthodox pianist-composer. Whenever the understated saxophone talents of Charlie Rouse accompany Thelonious Monk, one is assured of an invigorating set of music--and this collection is no exception. Supported by Larry Gales on bass and the inimitable Ben Riley on drums, Monk and Rouse elaborate on immortal compositions like "Ugly Beauty." On "In Walked Bud," the quartet is joined by vocalist Jon Hendricks. With jagged themes and unusual variations of meter and key, Underground showcases an aging Monk's still-brilliant eccentricity on the piano. A good bit looser than much of Monk's earlier work, he and Rouse infuse this date with their tag-team humor and unrelenting musical enthusiasm. --Mitch Myers Amazon.com

Almost his best, but not quite...

I still maintain that Monk's best album is "Straight, No Chaser." That being said, the same personnel are on this album, and it is a darn good one. My favorites are "Boo-Boo's birthday," "Raise Four," "Easy Street," the self-titled "Thelonious," and "In walked Bud." That about covers the entire album, but it shows how versatile Monk was. I don't include "Green Chimneys" because that is also in "Straight No Chaser." One word about the last song, there are extended solos in this version.

Overall, I'd rate this album my third favorite: behind "Straight No Chaser" and "Monk and Coltrane at Carnegie Hall." The artwork in this album alone is out of this world. I'd include it in your must-have Monk albums. June 13, 2008

Great times with jagged lines of the true genious...

Brilliant album, although by some opinions not essential in the magnificent Thelonious Monk's opus, contains strong trio and quartet performances by the group that includes the great Charlie Rouse, another voice of the leader's musical mind,and equally impressive and coherent bass and drums players...

For the reasons of variety and additional spice, Jon Hendricks' vocal on In Walked Bud (a true jazz-standard) is well executed and very wellcome, although it doesn't elevate the band's performance as I have hoped. However, not much elevation is needed here.

This album is a pure joy and as for the cover... Well, see for your self. Where can I buy a poster of this picture?

p.s. if you have the edition with bonus tracks, it's neither a plus nor minus in the overall picture.

April 13, 2008

Look At That Cover! How Could You Not Buy This?

"Underground" was released on Columbia Records in 1968 and stands as Thelonious' last great recording. In fact if I'm not mistaken this was one of his last recordings before his retirement. His last tour was in 1971, so this record has to be one of the last. Columbia also dropped Monk from the label in the next couple following years following this record.

For me, "Underground" is one of his best recordings right next to "Straight, No Chaser," "Monk's Dream," "Criss Cross" and 'Monk's Music." These albums are essential Monk so you've got to pick them up too! Many people brag about "Brilliant Corners" and while it's good, it's nowhere near as good as 'Underground" or any of the others I mentioned.

His quartet for this recording is Charlie Rouse on tenor saxophone, Larry Gales on bass, Ben Riley on drums, and a guest apprearance by vocalist Joe Hendricks who, like another reviewer mentioned already, ruined the flow of the songs. Thankfully, Hendricks is on only one song "In Walked Bud," which thankfully he's done better versions on other albums, so I just skip that track, although it does have some tasty piano work from Monk on it. How about just skipping the vocal part and get to the improvisations for that tune? That's what you should do.

Anyway, Monk's regular quartet at the time was far and away his best group. For a little more detailed opinion of this particular group check out my "Straight, No Chaser" review.

All of the songs herein are great. As many have already mentioned, there's several new Monk compositions that standout being "Boo Boo's Birthday," which has to be one of the coolest bebop tunes ever written...well maybe next to Bobby Timmons' "Dat Dere." That one was good too!

If you're already a Monk fan then you probably already own this, but if you're new to Monk, then this record or "Straight, No Chaser" would be the best places to start exploring the work of this jazz innovator. March 27, 2008

LORD OF THE UNDERGROUND

ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE.

a masterful session. amazing.

only thing is, in my opinion, "In walked Bud," ruins the flow, or at least sends the would be listener into an unexpected turn. not a terrible song, but we could have easily done without Hendricks' singing. but im in the minority here, because ive read my share of praise for the song. argh. I hate getting the lyrics stuck in my head.

Be this as is may, get ALL of Monks stuff. you'll be reborn. surely.

December 21, 2007

My favorite Monk album

One of my favorite records ever. Genre? Who needs that? This is a classic by any standard. Most of these compositions are actually new, which was rare for Monk at the time: the long, swinging "Green Chimneys" (bolstered with bass and drum solos); the tender but lighthearted "Boo Boo's Birthday"; and the characteristically off-kilter slow waltz "Ugly Beauty", one of his best compositions; and the slightly repetitive "Raise Four", recorded without sax player Charlie Rouse - "Thelonious", "Easy Street" and "In Walked Bud" don't feature him, either. You also get two unforgettable re-recordings of two Monk classics: a concise, lively "Thelonious" and the classic vocal version of "In Walked Bud", whose lyrics were spontaneously invented by Jon Hendricks. It features the lyric that to me does the best job of summing up what Monk does: "Takin' the note that nobody wrote and puttin' it down". Of course, "In Walked Bud" keeps its endearingly weird melody, filled with all kinds of odd chords: it's one of the strangest I've ever heard, but it has a way of sticking in your mind. It's always been one of my favorite Monk melodies, and it gets a fine treatment here. There's also a cover of the appropriately laid-back, optimistic "Easy Street". Other little bonuses: the Grammy-winning album cover, with Monk sitting alone at a piano dressed as a revolutionary, complete with the gun, and the 2003 reissue, which adds several bonus tracks, alternate takes of "Boo Boo's Birthday"; "Ugly Beauty" and "Thelonious", and restores "Ugly Beauty"; "Raise Four"; "Easy Street"; "Green Chimneys" and "In Walked Bud" to their full lengths, from sharply curtailed versions found on the LP and 1990 reissue. That's the one to get. September 1, 2007

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