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Monk's Dream
Thelonious Monk
Monk's Dream
Genres: Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (8) - Disc #1

Thelonious Sphere Monk was 45 when he began work in 1962 on Monk's Dream, his first recording for a big mainstream label. Thus, the 8 tracks here, a mixture of Monk originals and standards, present the bop pianist at a car...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Thelonious Monk
Title: Monk's Dream
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Sony
Release Date: 10/25/1990
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Styles: Modern Postbebop, Bebop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 074644078626, 074644078640, 5099706353621

Synopsis

Amazon.com essential recording
Thelonious Sphere Monk was 45 when he began work in 1962 on Monk's Dream, his first recording for a big mainstream label. Thus, the 8 tracks here, a mixture of Monk originals and standards, present the bop pianist at a career peak, documenting music that is both challenging and immediately accessible. Playing with his touring quartet, Monk makes each song his own, finding a typically quirky melody line within the romance of "Body and Soul" or the swing of "Bright Mississippi." Tenor saxman Charles Rouse adds some soothing horn soloing, but it's Monk's bright, intuitive playing that makes this a late bop milestone. Timeless. --Steve Appleford

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CD Reviews

Wonderful Monk-THE place to start.
Andy Williamson | Chicago, IL | 02/21/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This disc is my favorite of Monk's. It's a blast to listen to and very easy to hum along to. Great tunes! This is also a great place for those unfamiliar with Monk to begin to explore his unique piano universe. A number of my friends who normally do not listen to jazz have found themselves really enjoying this album. Monk was uniquely able to craft instantly catchy tunes without sounding cliche or Kenny G. Check out "Bright Mississippi" for starters. The music *sounds* like sunlight glistening off of the waters' surface. The way this group swings has not been matched, except perhaps by a few Art Blakey recordings. Not one even average tune. An amazing album and a high point in Monk's career.Essential."
Most composers can only dream of such perfection
rballjones | Des Moines, IA USA | 04/29/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just love to discover great new or old music and it's happened again with Thelonius Monk. I'd always heard *of* him but never got around to listening. Well, jazzed by the recent Ken Burns series (although I missed the Monk portion), I bought a Monk CD, and another, and now more. I'm knocked out by Monk's Dream and Straight, No Chaser in particular. He plays such pretty melodies on the piano but always with a touch of dissonance (although not too much). It's as if Monk is saying, ah, it's a beautiful world but some things aren't quite right so I'm gonna add a little edge to this chord--which he does. Monk is mercurial, with swing. And the band swings right along. The interplay between Monk and Charlie Rouse is especially satisfying. Agreed, this is a great CD for introducing someone to jazz."
Good fun
rballjones | 11/27/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have been told that this is not one of Monk's best albums, but that doesn't mean that I can't enjoy it. Every time I listen to it, it still seems fresh and enjoyable. Sounds like they were having a good time making it, which is always a nice thing. If you're interested in Jazz Piano, you can't go wrong with Monk, and if you're going for Monk, at least in my opinion, you can't go wrong with this album."