Thelonious Monk; John Coltrane - Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane
Orig. Jazz Classics  (1957)
Bebop

In Collection

7*
CD  37:47
6 tracks
   01   Ruby, My Dear             06:21
   02   Trinkle, Tinkle             06:40
   03   Off Minor       Stereo       05:15
   04   Nutty             06:39
   05   Epistrophy       Stereo       03:09
   06   Functional             09:43
Personal Details
Details
Studio Reeves Sound Studios
Country USA
Spars DDD
Sound Stereo
Musicians
Piano Thelonius Monk
Tenor Saxophone John Coltrane
Bass Wilbur Ware
Drums Shadow Wilson
Trumpet Ray Copeland
Alto Saxophone Gigi Gryce
Tenor Saxophone Coleman Hawkins
Drums Art Blakey
Credits
Producer Orrin Keepnews
Engineer Jack Higgins
Notes
Label: Jazzland - Original Jazz Classic, OJCCD-039-2 (JLP-46)
Riverside
Originaly recorded 1957-1958
Digital remastering 1987
AAD


Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane
Date of Release Jun 25, 1957 - Jul 1957 (recording)

What this disc lacks in program time is more than compensated for in content. While the teaming of Thelonious Monk (piano) with John Coltrane (tenor sax) might "look better on paper," as the adage goes, rest assured the results are even better on the disc. These were the same bountiful sessions that produced the Monk's Music and Thelonious Himself long-players. As such, Coleman Hawkins also joins the proceedings on two tracks - "Off Minor" and "Epistrophy." Unlike the version featured on Monk's Music, this reading of "Ruby, My Dear" features a Coltrane-led solo. He matches Hawkins' scintillating heat with his uncanny timing and syncopation, nestling Monk's chord progressions into his lines. The arithmetical "Trinkle, Tinkle" perfectly blends Coltrane's ability to swing into and out of some very precarious situations. Glimpses of his "sheets of sound" are augmented by some choice chord vamps from Monk. So in tune are Coltrane and Monk that the slightest alteration in pacing or attack is met with a response. Although the version of "Off Minor" featured here is considered a leftover or alternate take from the Monk's Music disc, in many ways its stark outbursts are best suited on this compilation. Hawkins' contributions cannot be overstated. His stately swinging offers a perfect balance to Monk's dizzy and off-kilter performance. "Functional" is a solo blues that extends well beyond the standard 12-bar structure and explores some of the various piano dialects that have become the signature of Monk's solos. The complete sessions featuring Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane and Coleman Hawkins are available in the Complete Riverside Recordings box set. - Lindsay Planer

1. Ruby, My Dear performed by Monk / John Coltrane - 6:17
2. Trinkle, Tinkle performed by Monk / John Coltrane - 6:37
3. Off Minor [Stereo] performed by Monk / John Coltrane - 5:15
4. Nutty performed by Monk / John Coltrane - 6:35
5. Epistrophy [Stereo] performed by Monk / John Coltrane - 3:07
6. Functional performed by Monk / John Coltrane - 9:46

Gigi Gryce - Sax (Alto)
Wilbur Ware - Bass
Coleman Hawkins - Saxophone, Sax (Tenor)
Ray Copeland - Trumpet
Art Blakey - Drums
John Coltrane - Saxophone, Sax (Tenor), Performer
Kirk Felton - Digital Remastering
Ira Gitler - Liner Notes
Jack Higgins - Engineer
Orrin Keepnews - Producer
Thelonious Monk - Piano, Performer
Don Schlitten - Photography
Shadow Wilson - Drums
Lawrence Shustak - Photography
Ken Deardoff - Design

CD Riverside/OJC 39
1991 CS Riverside/OJC 39
1991 LP Riverside/OJC 39
Riverside/OJC OJC-39
2000 CD Riverside 46
2000 CD 2537