Thelonious Monk... Where to start?

Available from Mosaic.

 

Was'nt there a cover band "Felonious Punk"?

 

Actually, the author included more musical analysis in the manuscript, but was convinced to trim much of it. Check the book's website for examples http://www.monkbook.com/outtakes/
And I agree, the book remains a vital document on the life of a true original.

Jerry

 

Yes, very innovative.

 

I would also heartily recommend the documentary Straight, No Chaser (2001?). Unfortunately its OOP, however, it might be available for rent or through your local library. Its very well done and has helped me appreciate Monk and his music.

 

It came out around 1988.

 

I have been buying all the OJC CD's of Monk I find...that's now a nice stack.

I guess i should branch out

 

Monk's style permeates everything he ever did. You almost can't go wrong just blindly picking anything from his catalog, assuming it doesn't have terrible bootleg sound quality.

 

I am with you on that one! I just picked it up and it is outstanding.

 

Netflix says they have it. Highly recommended flick.

 

and indeed, yours was good advice!

 

Be careful of Monk's Blues. In this case the "conventional wisdom" is correct - the arrangements (by Oliver Nelson who had done the classic Blues & The Abstract Truth earlier in the 60's) make his pieces sound like talk show themes. He plays some good piano on it, though.

 

Jerry,

Thanks for that link!

L.

 

And here's a list of errata.

 

This is a great thread that I wanted to bring back since there are likely some new members just discovering Monk or others with extensive collections and knowledge to share. I have a very modest jazz collection so far and just 3 Monk CDs to date, so the posts here are valuable to me.

 

"Genius Of Modern Music" Vols 1 and 2 should be the starting point.
Contains the original performances of 70% or so of Monk's compositions.

 

So true -- the Blue Note period is actually when he penned the majority of his compositions. After exploring those, the next place to look would be the Riverside recordings, IMO. To save time and money, just get them all in one place if you can:

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Rive...thelonious+monk+complete+riverside+recordings

The danger here is that those 2 suggestions will only convince you that you need the Prestiges and Columbias as well

 

It's light entertainment indeed and enjoyable as such. Among the later albums 1968's 'Underground' is worth hearing as it has new compositions - a rare occurrence after 1963 - and it's the last album with Charlie Rouse.