New Release - Complete Riverside Recordings - Thelonious Monk


Yes, yes, and more yes - I couldn't be happier to discover this today.

Notes:

Thelonious Monk (piano); John Coltrane (tenor saxophone); Gigi Gryce (alto saxophone); Coleman Hawkins (tenor saxophone); Wilbur Ware (upright bass); Art Blakey, Shadow Wilson (drums). Recording information: 04/1957 - 07/1957. This fine two-disc set brings together all the recordings Thelonious Monk made for the small, influential Riverside label in 1957. The piano eccentric cut excellent versions of some of his best compositions during that year, including "Off Minor," "Epistrophy," "Well, You Needn't," and the lovely "Ruby My Dear." The exhilarating saxophone work of John Coltrane makes these dates instant classics. Like most "complete sessions," the set features plenty of false starts and alternate takes that might seem extraneous to the casual fan, but Monk fanatics will be overjoyed at being provided with a glimpse into the brilliant artist's studio process.