Thelonious Monk - Genius Of Modern Music, Volume 2 (1952) [2001 RVG Remaster]

Posted By : Goodspeed | Date : 22 Sep 2010 13:28:17 | Comments : 4 |

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And yet, because of the challenging nature of his music, his fabled personal eccentricities, and some trumped-up criminal charges which cost him his cabaret card (essentially denying him the opportunity to perform in any New York City establishment serving liquor, between 1951 and '57), recognition and success were a long time coming for this American original. The works contained on GENIUS OF MODERN MUSIC, VOL. 2 are some of the most remarkable performances and compositions in the history of American music, featuring some of Monk's greatest collaborations.

With its bluesy outline, classic rhythmic breaks and superb melodic contours, "Straight No Chaser" has been a jazz standard since Monk first introduced it with this recording. Art Blakey's animated 12-bar intro sets a perfect tempo with an implied triplet feeling, as Monk's solo proceeds directly from Al McKibbon's sturdy two-beat pulse and the drummer's polyrhythmic proddings. Monk's laid-back groove belies the fierce tension his rhythmic gamesmanship, percussive dissonances, pregnant pauses, horn-like phrases and bluesy bent tones impart.

All Monk tunes are full of teasing interactive themes and startling structural contrasts. As an accompanist, Monk doesn't simply feed vibraphone soloist Milt Jackson chordal backgrounds on the jagged "Criss Cross"--he enunciates a secondary theme of orchestral gravity. And few musicians are willing or able to take on the daunting melodic and rhythmic challenges of such abstract sculptures as the zig-zagging "Four In One," the skittering "Skippy," and the convoluted "Hornin' In" and "Sixteen."

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Tracklist:
01. Four in One
02. Criss-Cross
03. Eronel
04. Straight, No Chaser
05. Ask Me Now
06. Willow Weep for Me
07. Nice Work If You Can Get It
08. Criss-Cross - (alternate take)
09. Ask Me Now - (alternate take)
10. Skippy
11. Hornin' In
12. Sixteen - (Second Take)
13. Carolina Moon
14. Let's Cool One
15. I'll Follow You
16. Skippy - (alternate take)
17. Hornin' In - (alternate take)
18. Sixteen - (First Take)

Personnel:
Thelonious Monk (piano);
Sahib Shihab, Lou Donaldson (alto saxophone);
Lucky Thompson (tenor saxophone);
Kenny Dorham (trumpet);
Milt Jackson (vibraphone);
Nelson Boyd, Al McKibbon (bass);
Art Blakey, Max Roach (drums).

Recording info:
Recorded at WOR Studios, New York, New York on July 23, 1951 and May 30, 1952.
Originally released on Bluenote (1511). Includes liner notes by Bob Blumenthal.
Reissue producer: Michael Cuscuna.
Liner Note Authors: Ira Gitler; Bob Blumenthal.
Recording information: WOR STudios, New York, NY (07/23/1951-05/30/1952).
Photographer: Francis Wolff.