Straight, No Chaser is undeniably ane of those classics, in addition to finds Monk inwards the expert fellowship of his long-time companions--Charlie Rouse, Larry Gales, in addition to Ben Riley.
For this CD, reissue producer Orrin Keepnews has added roughly 25 minutes of never-before-heard Monk, meticulously re-editing lost portions of issued titles piece discovering ii complete, previously unissued performances.
This is the 6th studio album cutting past times Thelonious Monk nether the production/direction of Teo Macero for Columbia in addition to equally such should non hold upwards confused amongst the master displace pic soundtrack to the 1988 celluloid of the same name. The band featured hither includes: Monk (piano), Charlie Rouse (tenor sax), Ben Riley (drums), in addition to Larry Gales (bass). This would hold upwards the in conclusion quartet Monk would get together to tape amongst inwards the studio. While far from existence somber, this unit of measurement retained a mature flavour which would likewise house Monk's solos inwards a completely novel context. At times, this adaptation presents itself to a greater extent than subtly than others. For instance, Monk's extended solo inwards "Locomotive" never reaches beyond itself due inwards part to the tempo-laden beat section. The contrast of styles, however, appreciates the caliber of this particular solo, including an obvious assertion past times Monk which leads the band, albeit temporarily, into playing double-time. Other recommended quartet selections on this disc include a liberated version of the championship track, which highlights some stellar interaction betwixt Monk in addition to Rouse. The same tin mail away hold upwards said for "We See," which features the hardest bop on the album. In improver to the quartet sides, Straight, No Chaser contains ii unaccompanied pianoforte solos: "Between the Devil in addition to the Deep Blue Sea" in addition to "This Is My Story, This Is My Song." [The master disc solely included 6 performances, one-half of which were edited due to the stringent fourth dimension constraints of vinyl; subsequent reissues non solely restored all of the previously abridged performances, but also added a trio of sides, ii of which ("I Didn't Know About You: Take 1" in addition to "Green Chimneys") are issued hither for the starting fourth dimension time.]
"Straight, No Chaser" was released on Columbia Records inwards 1967. What amazes me almost Monk also his vivid musicianship was the fact that he wasn't the mortal the media made him out to be. He was inwards fact a genuine, hard-working artist trying to brand ends meet. He was also a household unit of measurement man. Miles Davis, who had a feud amongst Monk during the 50s in addition to 60s, wrote inwards his autobiography that Monk was "a sweetness guy." Don't allow the "image" of a reclusive, drug-addict, in addition to eccentric tunnel dweller scare yous away from his music, because he wasn't similar that at all.
This recording contains some of Monk's best performances in addition to sidemen: Charlie Rouse on tenor saxophone, Larry Gales on bass, Ben Riley on drums, and, of course, Monk on piano. This inwards my thought was his best group. Each of the musicians had an agreement of Monk's compositions amend than whatever other musicians he's played amongst before. Charlie Rouse is the perfect foil to Monk. Rouse has a warm audio in addition to is also technically amazing. You convey to hold upwards gifted to play Monk's compositions. Though many of the melodies to his tunes look simple, it's what the harmony is doing that confused people. Even John Coltrane in addition to Sonny Rollins had problem playing his tunes. In fact, Sonny Rollins had such difficulty amongst "Brilliant Corners" that the producer had to edit together iii seperate tracks in addition to Coltrane has said that he gets "lost" when he's playing some of Monk's tunes. I respect this actually incredible because both Rollins in addition to Coltrane tin mail away play over but almost whatever chord changes thrown at them. I estimate my query is how did Rouse larn such a walking encylopedia of Monk? Was it long practise sessions? Was it Monk explaining everything inwards special to Rouse? Could be, but I intend what it was is Rouse's empathy for Monk in addition to his compositions. This is what kept Rollins in addition to Coltrane from actually agreement the inner-workings of these pieces. Rouse was indeed an amazing Monk sideman. The bass player, Larry Gales in addition to drummer Ben Riley also play an crucial run inwards Monk's music. They are the backbone of this quartet in addition to they render such a swell back upwards system.
"Straight, No Chaser" is a classic bebop jazz album in addition to should appeal to fans of this type of jazz music. Every vocal is a the world inside itself in addition to should inspire all who are willing to listen. Highly recommended.
Track listing:
1. "Locomotive" (Th. Monk) - 6:40
2. "I Didn't Know About You" (Duke Ellington) - 6:52
3. "Straight, No Chaser" (Th. Monk) - 11:28
4. "Japanese Folk Song (Kōjō no Tsuki)" (Rentarō Taki) - 16:42
5. "Between the Devil in addition to the Deep Blue Sea" (Harold Arlen) - 7:36
6. "We See" (Th. Monk) - 11:37
Bonus tracks on CD reissue
7. "This Is My Story, This Is My Song" (Phoebe Knapp) - 1:42 (better known past times the championship "Blessed Assurance")
8. "I Didn't Know About You" (D. Ellington) - 6:49
9. "Green Chimneys" (Th. Monk) - 6:34
Personnel:
Thelonious Monk - piano
Charlie Rouse - tenor sax
Larry Gales - bass
Ben Riley - drums
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