Monk Alone - The Complete Columbia Solo Studio Recordings of Thelonious Monk (1962-1968) - 1998

Product Description: All tracks have been digitally remastered using 20-bit technology by Mark Wilder and Rob Schwarz at Sony Music Studios, New York, New York. For as much of an idiosyncratic stylist as he was, Monk was always a musician's musician, creating a unique framework for his collaborators that both stimulated and challenged them. But his was also a very personal vision, one that essentially began and ended in his own head, with Monk reaching into the outside world only to find the pieces necessary to complete his beautiful sonic puzzles. It makes sense, then, that much of Monk's music benefited from solo piano treatments like those collected on this unparalleled two-disc set. Without the input or contrast of other musicians to cast his innovations in relief, Monk's sheer creativity seems that much more startling. From his drastic reworkings of standards like "Body & Soul" to scaled-down adaptations of his own classic compositions such as "Ruby, My Dear," he startles with the level of his invention. To listen to MONK ALONE is to be awed by the uncompromising, singular visions of one of jazz's most unique thinkers.

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Monk Alone - The Complete Columbia Solo Studio Recordings of Thelonious Monk (1962-1968) - 1998

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Reviews #1: As any Monk aficionado knows, his solo piano performances were wonderful, idiosyncratic, living works of art that often wound up in completely different territory from where they began. Sometimes the results would be a little shakey; often they would be inspiring. Regardless, these solo performances were adventures, and that quality makes the double disc Monk Alone: The Complete Columbia Solo Studio Recordings, 1962-1968 irresistable. Much of this music was released on such Columbia albums as Monk's Dream and Underground over the course of the '60s, but this is the first time all the material has been collected in one place and the results are frequently stunning. The first disc, plus the first two tracks on disc two, contain the master takes. The second disc is largely comprised of alternate takes – four have been released, the remaining 14 make their debut here. That's nearly a full album of "new" material and almost all of it is as compelling as the master takes. Certainly, the collection is designed for Monk completists, but even casual fans will find something to marvel at here. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

#2: When Richard Cook and Brian Morton reviewed this set for their Penguin Guide to Jazz, they wrote: "This is an essential purchase, uncategorizable and resistant to the adjectival attentions of critics." I agree completely. A lot has been said about this music, and about its value and appeal. I think most critics miss the point. You can't compare this to solo recordings by Bill Evans or Oscar Peterson. There's no point of reference. This is thick, heavy music. It isn't meant to be played for an hour, straight through. It's something else. Sit down with a pair of headphones, and play two or three tracks. Come back tomorrow, and play a couple more. That's the only way to listen to this music. There's incredible depth and dimension here, and you'll discover new beauty on each pass. This isn't water, and it sure as hell isn't beer. It's Blue Label scotch. It's meant for slow sipping. Monk was unique. He was a genius, but he was also on a completely different wavelength. I would never disparage albums like the It Club – but there's no question Monk was at his best when sitting alone at a piano, unfettered by the burden of bandmates. The result was his vision, pure and unfiltered, and music which easily stands beside Bach and Beethoven. ~ Amazon Customer

#3: Quick now, do you really think you'll like two hours and twenty minutes of SOLO piano by anybody? If anybody can pull it off, it's Monk. He makes each note distinct, and does not waste any. Quirky yet lovely, most of his time here on this double CD is spent at medium or slow tempo. I thought I liked his accompanied work much better, at first. But as you listen to these songs, they do indeed become endearing. If as some reviewers say, his earlier Riverside box of solo work is even better, it must be really something. I have eight or nine Monk CD's now, and I have enjoyed them all and don't want to weed any from my collection. As a bonus here, "Monk Alone" has an excellent booklet. Read half-a-dozen reviews here, check your music budget, and take the plunge. Although I'm 58, I've only been immersed in Monk and John Coltrane for two years. It's about damn time, and I have enjoyed both artists tremendously. I wish I had been hip enough to have been a fan when I was young and they were still alive. I grew up less than an hour from NYC, where these two played in clubs regularly. When I had dough, I went to Broadway shows instead of jazz clubs. At the time, I thought that was the smarter use of my limited funds, but from the viewpoint of upper middle age, I wish I had been a bit more adventurous. Thank goodness, at least we have the discs, to know what we missed. ~ Amazon Customer

Track Listing:

Disc 1

01 - Body And Soul [Remake Take 2] - 4:31
02 - Just A Gigolo - 2:30
03 - Don't Blame Me [Remake Take 1] - 7:07
04 - Nice Work If You Can Get It [Take 3] - 4:15
05 - Memories Of You [Take 1] - 6:08
06 - I Love You Sweetheart Of All My Dreams [Take 2] - 6:49
07 - I Surrender, Dear - 3:46
08 - Sweet And Lovely [Take 2] - 3:02
09 - Everything Happens To Me [Take 3] - 3:30
10 - I Should Care [Take 1] - 1:59
11 - North Of The Sunset [Take 1] - 1:53
12 - These Foolish Things [Take 3] - 3:34
13 - I Hadn't Anyone Till You [Take 4] - 3:20
14 - Dinah [Take 2] - 2:29
15 - I'm Confessin' - 2:37
16 - Monk's Point [Take 1] - 2:18
17 - Ask Me Now [Take 2] - 4:39
18 - Ruby, My Dear [Take 3] - 5:40

Disc 2

01 - 'Round Midnight [take 2] - 3:49
02 - Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea [take 1] - 7:35
03 - This Is My Story, This Is My Song [take 1] - 1:42
04 - Introspection [take 4] - 2:13
05 - Darn That Dream [take 1] - 3:44
06 - Body and Soul [remake take 3] - 4:57
07 - Body and Soul [take 3] - 7:12
08 - Don't Blame Me [take 1] - 5:45
09 - I Love You Sweetheart of All My Dreams [take 1] - 5:54
10 - Sweet and Lovely [take 1] - 3:17
11 - Everything Happens to Me [take 1] - 3:32
12 - Everything Happens to Me [take 2] - 1:52
13 - I Hadn't Anyone Till You [take 2] - 3:18
14 - Dinah [take 1] - 2:22
15 - I'm Confessin' (That I Love You) [take 1] - 2:42
16 - Ask Me Now [take 3] - 3:44
17 - Everything Happens to Me [take 3] - 5:19
18 - Introspection [take 3] - 2:18
19 - Ruby, My Dear [take 1] - 4:45