Alone in San Francisco [Bonus Tracks] [LP]

by Thelonious Monk

Overview

With the robust ambience of Fugazi Hall in San Francisco at his disposal, Thelonious Monk recorded ten unaccompanied tracks over two days to create a long-awaited sequel to his immensely endearing Thelonious Himself long-player. As had become somewhat customary for Monk, he brought with him a healthy sampling from his voluminous back catalog, cover tunes, as well as a few new compositions. What is most immediately striking about these recordings is the rich and accurate sound stage at Fugazi Hall. The overtones are rich and thoughtful in their ability to animate Monk's recreations of some of his most endearing works, such as the pair that opens this set. "Blue Monk" still retains the proud stride and walking blues heritage of previous renderings. Adding a bit of off-tempo improvisation, Monk propels and emphasizes the rhythmic swing even harder. He is obviously also enjoying what he is hearing. The audible maturity guiding Monk through the familiar, albeit offbeat, chord progressions of "Ruby, My Dear" is striking. His nimble reflexes and split-second timing render this version superior. Again, the sound of the hall offers even more to enjoy from this performance. It is unfortunate that the playful solitude of "Round Lights" was never revisited. This freeform composition is framed within a blues structure, yet reveals all of the slightly askew freedom of a Monk original. The recreation of an old 1920s hit, "There's Danger in Your Eyes, Cherie," is another of the highlights from Thelonious Alone in San Francisco that was never recorded again by Monk. The noir qualities are immeasurably enhanced by Monk's oblique phrasings as well as the eerie resonance of the Fugazi. This is an absolute must-own recording -- Monk enthusiast or not. ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	12/16/2016
Label:	Wax Time
UPC:	8436559461696
Rank:	6090

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Thelonious Monk   Primary Artist,Piano,Soloist
Thelonious Monk Quintet   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Ken Braren   Cover Design,Cover Production
Jack Maskill   Composer
Peter Wendling   Composer
Harris Lewine   Cover Design,Cover Production
Paul Bacon   Cover Design,Cover Production
Irving Berlin   Composer
Pete Wendling   Composer
Ralph Rainger   Composer
Matt Dennis   Composer
Ralph J. Gleason   Liner Notes
Reice Hamel   Engineer
Thelonious Monk   Composer
Harry Richman   Composer
Danny Kopelson   Digital Remastering
Leo Robin   Composer
Orrin Keepnews   Producer,Liner Notes
Tom Adair   Composer
William Claxton   Photography
Jack Meskell   Composer
Meskell   Composer
Thomas Adair   Composer