Straight, No Chaser is undeniably 1 of those classics, as well as finds Monk inwards the skillful fellowship of his long-time companions--Charlie Rouse, Larry Gales, as well as Ben Riley.
For this CD, reissue producer Orrin Keepnews has added or then 25 minutes of never-before-heard Monk, meticulously re-editing lost portions of issued titles spell discovering 2 complete, previously unissued performances.
This is the 6th studio album cutting yesteryear Thelonious Monk nether the production/direction of Teo Macero for Columbia as well as equally such should non hold out confused amongst the master copy motility moving painting soundtrack to the 1988 cinema of the same name. The band featured hither includes: Monk (piano), Charlie Rouse (tenor sax), Ben Riley (drums), as well as Larry Gales (bass). This would hold out the in conclusion quartet Monk would get together to tape amongst inwards the studio. While far from beingness somber, this unit of measurement retained a mature season 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 exercise to the tempo-laden musical rhythm section. The contrast of styles, however, appreciates the caliber of this especial solo, including an obvious assertion yesteryear 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 as well as Rouse. The same tin flame hold out said for "We See," which features the hardest bop on the album. In improver to the quartet sides, Straight, No Chaser contains 2 unaccompanied pianoforte solos: "Between the Devil as well as the Deep Blue Sea" as well as "This Is My Story, This Is My Song." [The master copy disc exclusively included 6 performances, one-half of which were edited due to the stringent fourth dimension constraints of vinyl; subsequent reissues non exclusively restored all of the previously abridged performances, but also added a trio of sides, 2 of which ("I Didn't Know About You: Take 1" as well as "Green Chimneys") are issued hither for the kickoff time.]
"Straight, No Chaser" was released on Columbia Records inwards 1967. What amazes me almost Monk equally good his bright musicianship was the fact that he wasn't the somebody the media made him out to be. He was inwards fact a genuine, hard-working creative somebody 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 as well as 60s, wrote inwards his autobiography that Monk was "a sweetness guy." Don't allow the "image" of a reclusive, drug-addict, as well as eccentric tunnel dweller scare you lot away from his music, because he wasn't similar that at all.
This recording contains some of Monk's best performances as well as sidemen: Charlie Rouse on tenor saxophone, Larry Gales on bass, Ben Riley on drums, and, of course, Monk on piano. This inwards my sentiment was his best group. Each of the musicians had an agreement of Monk's compositions meliorate than whatsoever other musicians he's played amongst before. Charlie Rouse is the perfect foil to Monk. Rouse has a warm audio as well as is also technically amazing. You convey to hold out gifted to play Monk's compositions. Though many of the melodies to his tunes appear simple, it's what the harmony is doing that confused people. Even John Coltrane as well as Sonny Rollins had problem playing his tunes. In fact, Sonny Rollins had such difficulty amongst "Brilliant Corners" that the producer had to edit together 3 seperate tracks as well as Coltrane has said that he gets "lost" when he's playing some of Monk's tunes. I detect this actually incredible because both Rollins as well as Coltrane tin flame play over merely almost whatsoever chord changes thrown at them. I approximate my query is how did Rouse move such a walking encylopedia of Monk? Was it long do sessions? Was it Monk explaining everything inwards especial to Rouse? Could be, but I intend what it was is Rouse's empathy for Monk as well as his compositions. This is what kept Rollins as well as Coltrane from actually agreement the inner-workings of these pieces. Rouse was indeed an amazing Monk sideman. The bass player, Larry Gales as well as drummer Ben Riley also play an crucial role inwards Monk's music. They are the backbone of this quartet as well as they render such a cracking back upwards system.
"Straight, No Chaser" is a classic bebop jazz album as well as should appeal to fans of this type of jazz music. Every vocal is a basis inside itself as well as 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 as well as 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 yesteryear 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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