Search - Thelonious Monk :: Thelonious Alone in San Francisco (Slip)

A fine solo piano recording.

Michael Stack | North Chelmsford, MA USA | 10/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Thelonious Alone in San Francisco" was Thelonious Monk's third solo piano recording and really like its predecessor ("Thelonious Himself") is a superb record. Monk is recorded at Fugazi Hall in San Francisco (although without an audience) in October of 1959 and runs through ten selections-- six originals and four standards. What makes this recording so special in my mind is that between the odd acoustics of the hall and Monk's playing, the recording has a very "composer at the piano at home" feel to it-- Monk is relaxed, with a delicate touch and avoids almost all of the usual flourishes-- the descending scales, the stride sound, etc. It ends up being a moody and delicate little recording.



Blues are very heavily emphasized throughout-- several blues are played including two originals ("Round Lights" and "Bluehawk") that were never again recording (I suspect they were on-the-spot compositions as the themes are rather brief) and even old standbys like "Ruby, My Dear" and "Pannonica" have a bluesy undercurrent to them. Without the stride sound, the mood is almost lethargic, but the usual Monk guessing game as to how he's going to approach the pieces keep them interesting.



This reissue, like the rest of the Fantasy Jazz K2 issues (in the slip cases) features stunning sound-- a distinct and vast improvement over the previous issues of these recordings that can easily be noticed without audiophile sound systems or a discerning ear. Additionally, one alternate take augments the recordings and the original liner notes essay is included.



This is probably not quite the best solo Monk piece, but its a fine recording deserving of attention. Recommended."

Echoing the 1st review

Larry A. Helmeczy | Ithaca, NY | 01/16/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been overhauling some of my earlier jazz CD's with "remastered" versions. Some sound marginally better, some actually sound worse. I bought this one after reading the 1st review. I agree with everything he said. I'm amazed at how much better this version sounds over my previous copy. So, thanks, 1st reviewer."