En audiofil skiva Alan Bates took Thelonious Monk into the studio for his first trio recording in 15 years with his old sidekick Art Blakey. It has been said often enough that Blakey is the ideal drummer for Monk, and one has only to hear them together again after all this time to realize the truth of the statement. If Blakey at times seems to push the pianist almost too hard, that is in fact the nature of their musical relationship. And, throughout the session, Blakey appeared to be vying with the producer in alternately cajoling and coercing Monk into fulfilling various requests from the small invited audience.Tracklisting Side 1: 1. Blue Sphere 2. Hackensack 3. Nice Work If You Can Get It 4. Criss Cross Side 2: 1. Something in Blue 2. Evidence 3. Jackie-ing 4. Nutty Personnel: Thelonious Monk - piano. Al McKibbon - bass. Art Blakey - drums. Producer: Alan Bates Recorded at Chappell Studios, London November 15th 1971 Recording engineer: John Timperley 180 gram High Quality LP pressing. Pure Pleasure Records.
|