best monk album?

I'm trying to recomond one monk album to a friend, which do you think really defines him . . classic monk....

Honestly, I only have one album of Monk, but I would say it's pretty definitive: The Best of Thelonius Monk on the Blue Note label.

Satch, when he sees this thread, will probably be able to offer you some other ideas. I do know that Monk did a fair amount of re-cutting his material during his career, especially after he switched to the Columbia label, and I've been told that his recorded catalog is somewhat spotty, so it would pay to research this out as you're doing.

Well, we do have a thread for him already: http://www.radiomute.com/musicthread5496.html

As for his best album, it's usually automatically "Brilliant Corners" for most people, but you really can't go wrong with most of his early catalogue. I seriously doubt you'll be dissapointed with either of his first two "Genius of Modern Music" volumes, and honestly, most of his early Prestige/Riverside dates are stellar. Personally, I'm quite fond of 5 by Monk by 5 as far as Monk performing in a group context, and the solo album "Alone In San Francisco" that directly follows it for the solo side, but there are so many great albums by Monk that it's really difficult to suggest which to start with, probably the Genius volumes and work from there...

...although as the Reverend suggested, just wait for Satch to show up.

Hey Eric.

Good to see the forum back online.

i really like this one



But it just features Monk as a sideman

So, have you decided on a release to recommend yet?

(( and where is Satchmo, anyway ))

Yes , it seems like a tie with Brilliant Corners and a good best of collection that good short tunes

I am sure Pops hasn't seen this thread. The spotty comment alone, would have gotten a response out of him.

Best of's in Jazz suck. There is a great deal of sweet Monk.


Brilliant Corners
Monk's Music
Genius of Modern Music 1 & 2
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers With Thelonious Monk
5 by Monk by 5
Thelonious Himself
Thelonious in Action
Thelonious Alone in San Fransisco
Thelonious Monk & Sonny Rollins

The Columbia studio recordings

It's Monk's Time
Monk's Dream
Criss-Cross
Monk Alone: The Complete Columbia Solo Studio Recordings: 1962-1968
Underground
Straight, No Chaser (Not the one for the soundtrack from the Monk Documentary)


Columbia live

live at the 'It' Club (Complete)
Live at the Jazz Workshop [Complete]
Monk in Tokyo
Big Band and Quartet in Concert



There are even more if you want.


Lotta love for Monk in this household. Pops and my younger sister are fanatics.

His response would just be, if it has Monk's name on it, Get It! If all Monk is doing is tapping his fingers, he would say, Get It!

yesterday I bought a Monk DVD.

"American Composer" it was only like $12 US approx ($15.99 AUS)