03.01.17, 15)42The Thelonius Monk Quartet: The First in Asia - The Audiophile Man

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THE THELONIUS MONK QUARTET: THEFIRST IN ASIA

Posted on 3rd January 2017

Title: Monk in Tokyo

Label: Speakers Corner

What makes a great jazz musician? One that sees the genre from a new perspective? One whoimplements that music in a new way? One that ploughs his own furrow in terms of arrangementsand content? Monk did all of these things. He was so far ahead of the jazz curve, in fact, that it tookmost jazz musicians years after Monk’s death to work out many of his unique compositions.

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03.01.17, 15)42The Thelonius Monk Quartet: The First in Asia - The Audiophile Man

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0 Comments By PAUL RIGBY

The Monk quartet were underway on their first Asian tour when this LP, recorded on 21 May 1963 inSankei Hall, was recorded and were doing so while playing Monk’s own compositions – well, mostly– so you’ll see titles such as Straight, No Chaser, Blue Monk and Bemsha Swing on this release.

As for the quartet’s own performance? They’re on fine form and seem to enjoy the occasion. Theaudience appear to be enthralled and react well to the show which, in term, lifts the players tofurther heights. Monk especially, is plugged in to the evening and gives a series of sparklingrenditions, giving the listener a full range of his own unique rhythms and his adventures in melody.More than that, though, Monk’s playing maintains a continuity that he was showing around thistime. While his playing is typically intriguing and involving and, some might say, attractivelyeccentric, there is nothing to scare the wary or the jazz fan that has yet to taste the pleasures ofPlanet Monk. In fact, if you have yet to grab yourself an album by Monk, this is a very good place tostart. Meanwhile, behind the great man, Charlie Rouse on tenor sax, Butch Warren on bass andFrankie Dunlop on drums provide strong and solid support.

This double album has been well mastered which, in itself, has been aided by the fact that thealbum was recorded well in the first place.

THELONIUS MONK

PAUL RIGBY

I’ve been a journalist and editor for 30 years and still retain my good humour.Who’d have thought? I have worked within a range of industries, writing forhundreds of national magazines and newspapers in the UK, Europe and the USAcovering: aviation, music, computer technology, computer gaming, hi-fi, mobiletechnology, home automation, lady’s lifestyle, plastic model making, antiques andmore. I currently write for national magazines in the subjects of business, music,hi-fi and general technology.

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