Customer Reviews
The great Monk - By: S J Buck, 06 Jun 2007 
This first volume of recordings is an essential purchase for any Jazz fan capturing Thelonious Monkin the very early days of be-bop, playing many of his most famous tunes.
Recordedin October & November 1947in New York City, the album features the following musicians:
Thelonious Monk - Piano
Art Blakey - drums,
Gene Ramey, Bob Paige - bass
Idrees Sulieman, George Tait - Trumpet
Danny Quebec West, Sahib Shihab - Alto Sax
Baring mind the age of the recordings the sound quality is remarkably good & of course Monks distinctive compositions & playing dominate proceedings. Of the non-Monk tunes perhaps the best are his versions of Gershwins "Nice Work..." which he takes to another place entirely. Of Monks own compositions the beautiful "Ruby My Dear" & the swinging "Well You Needn't" are perhaps my favourites.
The 2nd volume is well worth getting as this also features Milt Jackson on a number tracks as well. So get both volumes & enjoy Monk!
Budget price reissue of compilations everyone should own - By: Jason Parkes, 26 Aug 2001 This is a welcome reissue of the excellent two volume collections 'Genius of Modern Music' released on Blue Note...Basically, jazz with avant-garde leanings- these volumes offer a great overview of the Monk. While not complete, they offer alternate takes of tracks...What can I say?- openers 'Humph' & 'Evonce' bridge the gap between Parker & Davis. 'Thelonious', 'Nice work if you can get it', 'Ruby my Dear', 'Well you Needn't', 'Round Midnight' etc all provide reasons to purchase...This album needs to be heard- the re-mastering has given a wonderful clarity...My only quibble is reference to tracks such as 'Epistrophy', 'Mysterioso' & 'I mean You' on the cover- where are these tracks?...So, along with the Second volume, I would reccomend 'Straight no Chaser' & the budget-priced 'Greatest Hits'...Great stuff!!!
