180g Vinyl Double LP Release Of Never-Before-Released Concert!
Blue Note Records has announced the release of Thelonious Monk Paris 1969, a fascinating and important late-career document of the legendary jazz pianist and composer in performance with his Quartet at the Salle Pleyel concert hall in Paris, France on December 15, 1969.
The 1969 Paris concert captures the power and the undiminished beauty of Monks music, reminding us that even as his body aged his musical imagination knew no limits, writes Monk scholar Robin Kelley in his liner notes essay. However, Kelley also illuminates what a peculiar and challenging moment 1969 was for the 52-year-old pianist. Monk hadnt achieved true success until the late-'50s with his legendary run at the Five Spot Café in New York City with John Coltrane. By the early-'60s Monks success had peaked when he signed with Columbia Records and was eventually featured on the cover of TIME Magazine in 1964.
However, by 1969, in addition to health issues, Monks success was beginning to wane with the emergence of rock and the resulting jazz fusion movement. His recording contract with Columbia had just come to end after an ill-advised attempt at marketing him to a younger rock audience. That disappointment was followed by the departure of drummer Ben Riley and bassist Larry Gales from his band which left Monk with two chairs to fill on short notice before his European tour.
Monk eventually found two young musicians bassist Nate Hygelund and drummer Paris Wright to fill out the Quartet with his longtime tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse. Luckily the inexperienced rhythm section had some time to gel before hitting the stage in Paris with a lengthy engagement in London followed by stops in Germany and Italy. By the time they reached the Pleyel the band was in fine form, which made for a triumphant return for Monk to the very stage he had made his Parisian debut on in 1954 in front of a hostile audience who felt that Monk was too avant-garde. 15 years later the situation could not have been more different with an enthusiastic audience and the concert being broadcast on television.
In addition to rollicking Quartet versions of Monk classics such as I Mean You, Straight No Chaser, and Blue Monk, the set also includes three stunning solo piano performances on Dont Blame Me, I Love You Sweetheart Of All My Dreams, and Crepuscule With Nellie. However, an undeniable highlight of the concert was when the veteran drummer Philly Joe Jones who was an expat living in Paris at the time comes from backstage to borrow the sticks from the 17-year-old Wright, providing a palpable spark on Monks Nutty.
Features:
180g Vinyl
Double LP
Limited time digital download of album
Gatefold jacket
Musicians:
Thelonious Monk, piano
Charlie Rouse, tenor sax
Nate Hygelund, bass
Paris Wright, drums
Philly Joe Jones, drums
Selections:
LP 1 - Side A:
1. I Mean You
2. Ruby My Dear
LP 1 - Side B:
1. Straight, No Chaser
2. Bright Mississippi
3. Light Blue
LP 2 - Side C:
1. Epistrophy
2. Don't Blame Me
3. I Love You Sweetheart of All My Dreams
4. Crepuscule With Nellie
LP 2 - Side D:
1. Bright Mississippi (Reprise)
2. Nutty
3. Blue Monk
Blue Note Records has announced the release of Thelonious Monk Paris 1969, a fascinating and important late-career document of the legendary jazz pianist and composer in performance with his Quartet at the Salle Pleyel concert hall in Paris, France on December 15, 1969.
The 1969 Paris concert captures the power and the undiminished beauty of Monks music, reminding us that even as his body aged his musical imagination knew no limits, writes Monk scholar Robin Kelley in his liner notes essay. However, Kelley also illuminates what a peculiar and challenging moment 1969 was for the 52-year-old pianist. Monk hadnt achieved true success until the late-'50s with his legendary run at the Five Spot Café in New York City with John Coltrane. By the early-'60s Monks success had peaked when he signed with Columbia Records and was eventually featured on the cover of TIME Magazine in 1964.
However, by 1969, in addition to health issues, Monks success was beginning to wane with the emergence of rock and the resulting jazz fusion movement. His recording contract with Columbia had just come to end after an ill-advised attempt at marketing him to a younger rock audience. That disappointment was followed by the departure of drummer Ben Riley and bassist Larry Gales from his band which left Monk with two chairs to fill on short notice before his European tour.
Monk eventually found two young musicians bassist Nate Hygelund and drummer Paris Wright to fill out the Quartet with his longtime tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse. Luckily the inexperienced rhythm section had some time to gel before hitting the stage in Paris with a lengthy engagement in London followed by stops in Germany and Italy. By the time they reached the Pleyel the band was in fine form, which made for a triumphant return for Monk to the very stage he had made his Parisian debut on in 1954 in front of a hostile audience who felt that Monk was too avant-garde. 15 years later the situation could not have been more different with an enthusiastic audience and the concert being broadcast on television.
In addition to rollicking Quartet versions of Monk classics such as I Mean You, Straight No Chaser, and Blue Monk, the set also includes three stunning solo piano performances on Dont Blame Me, I Love You Sweetheart Of All My Dreams, and Crepuscule With Nellie. However, an undeniable highlight of the concert was when the veteran drummer Philly Joe Jones who was an expat living in Paris at the time comes from backstage to borrow the sticks from the 17-year-old Wright, providing a palpable spark on Monks Nutty.
Features:
180g Vinyl
Double LP
Limited time digital download of album
Gatefold jacket
Musicians:
Thelonious Monk, piano
Charlie Rouse, tenor sax
Nate Hygelund, bass
Paris Wright, drums
Philly Joe Jones, drums
Selections:
LP 1 - Side A:
1. I Mean You
2. Ruby My Dear
LP 1 - Side B:
1. Straight, No Chaser
2. Bright Mississippi
3. Light Blue
LP 2 - Side C:
1. Epistrophy
2. Don't Blame Me
3. I Love You Sweetheart of All My Dreams
4. Crepuscule With Nellie
LP 2 - Side D:
1. Bright Mississippi (Reprise)
2. Nutty
3. Blue Monk
