A Message from Monk

by Larry Gales

Overview

Bassist Larry Gales and drummer Ben Riley played together in Thelonious Monk's quartet during part of the 1960s and they anchor this Monk tribute CD, which also features trumpeter Claudio Roditi, trombonist Steve Turre, tenor saxophonist Junior Cook and pianist Benny Green. "Straight No Chaser" is given a lengthy jam-session treatment, "'Round Midnight" receives a surprise vocal from Gales (showing off a warm and expressive voice), Cook's tenor is featured on both "Off Minor" and "Ruby My Dear," and Green ably leads the trio through "Let's Call This" before the full sextet interprets Gales' minor-toned swinger "A Message from the High Priest." It is a little disappointing how little Roditi and Turre are heard from during the live set. But otherwise, the conventional jam on Thelonious Monk's music is respectful, boppish and enjoyable. ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	05/22/2007
Label:	Candid
UPC:	0708857950324
Rank:	122365

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Larry Gales   Primary Artist,Bass,Vocals
Benny Green   Guest Artist,Piano
Steve Turre   Guest Artist,Trombone
Claudio Roditi   Guest Artist,Trumpet
Ben Riley   Drums
Junior Cook   Sax (Tenor)
Larry "Lonnie" Gales   Bass,Vocals

Technical Credits

Bernie Hanighen   Composer
Thelonious Monk   Composer
Alan Bates   Executive Producer
Cootie Williams   Composer
Larry Gales   Composer
Mark Morganelli   Producer
Malcolm Addey   Engineer
Malcolm Walker   Design
Mark Gardner   Liner Notes
Mitchell Seidel   Photography