Those who danced were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

I'd agree with that Alyn. I was thinking of Cook/Morton who put the last date of "interesting" Monk c.1965.

For me there's a wonderful (and long) solo version of How Deep is the Ocean which I think comes from the mid or late 60s to disprove them.

BN.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

London Sessions

Al McKibbon bass
Art Blakey drums

long a favourite since i bought a cassette in Tesco in Northampton in 1988 [don't ask] that tape saved my life ..

[Ian Thumwood]

I bought the 4 classic album CD Thelonious Monk on Avid largely on the strength of the trio album which was my introduction to modern jazz when I was 16. The music on this Lp was exceptional but the collection also includes "Brilliant Corners" which has a reputation as a classic. There are also two other offerings , one of which is a so-so effort with Sonny Rollins.

It's funny to re-visit these discs as I felt the trio disc was the best and "Brilliant Corners" a bit of a hotch-potch with some good performances and others which are pretty ruggid. That said, the "Play Ellington" album was always supposed to be a bit of a turkey yet I though this was fascinating. I've also got the big band at Town Hall album which is terrific and the Coltrane / Carnegie Hall concert which is by far the best Monk I've heard.
I'm almost of the opinion that Monk is in need of re-appraisal and some of the celebrated recordings like the Blue Note stuff and "Brilliant Corners" are good but not perfect. I can well believe that some of his later stuff is better than usually credited but I suppose these perceptions were probably from the era when Free jazz and Jazz-rock were the dominant forces. I'd also add that he wasn't exactly a prolific composer with about 60 tunes to his name and therefore the comment about his creativity tailing off perhaps needs to be taken in to context.

The other thing about some of his early recordings was the dire quality of the pianos he was given to record on. For me, these instruments often mar the enjoyment of many albums in the 50's and I think Bob Wienstock's home-spun Prestige label was a major culprit although even RVG could be guilty on Blue Note albums like Mobley's "Roll call" - shame as Wynton Kelly is the best thing about this record.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

That said, the "Play Ellington" album was always supposed to be a bit of a turkey

says who? .......