Interpretations of Monk

shrugs · May-27th-2003, 10:14 AM

I still remember picking up this 4 cd set at a used store in Seattle. Since then, it has wandered in and out of the cd player on many occassions. Sometimes just to hear some of my favorite Monk tunes played by some of the best interpreters of his music and sometimes to hear a specific musician work wonders with the music.
This 4 cd set(and also 2 2cd sets) brought together 4 different pianists for 4 sets. The pianists were Muhal Richard Abrams, Anthony Davis, Mal Waldron and Barry Harris. Richard Davis was the bass player throughout. Ben Riley and Ed Blackwell alternated the drum chair each playing two sets for their entirety.
The front line was easily one of the finest with Charlie Rouse, Steve Lacy, Don Cherry and Roswell Rudd.
I could go on an on about all the different songs but I think that one would be better off getting to know them by actually listening first. There are some wonderful piano solos, Waldron/Lacy duets, a Lacy solo, Rudd's rambunctious playing, Rouse's heartfelt tributes to his mentor, Don Cherry's sloppy lines that are some of the best Monk through a trumpet I have heard(humor!!). And the fantastic rhythm sections that could be listened to just by themselves.

al j · May-27th-2003, 10:29 AM

Man oh man. Dave, the first time I heard this was when you loaned it to me almost three years ago. I immediately snagged a copy on EBay and it has remained one of the finest sets of music I own. There is something special about it that transcends music. Nat Hentoff's reminiscing seems to give weight to the occasion before the music even begins. Some favorite moments in the concert are Barry Harris' take of "Ruby, My Dear" and of course Muhal doing "Blue Monk". While the front line is superb the pianists are what seal it for me. Each one is able to heavily imbed Monk's style into that of his own and still have Monk's tunes stand completely on their own. I've heard Monk impressions/interpretations/imitations before but never, ever like this.

shrugs · May-27th-2003, 11:19 AM

Al, take a closer listen to some of Cherry's solos. Some great stuff in there.

David, the original 4 cd set was on DIW and then Koch reissued it as 2 2cd sets. The title is the title of this thread.

al j · May-27th-2003, 01:25 PM

Oh, Cherry SMOKES throughout and somehow separates himself while maintaining the various themes and departures. Rouse is incredible in this sense too. But, like I said, the pianists are f-ing amazing with their own unique takes on the tunes.

David, I envy you hearing this stuff soon for the first time. If you can't locate a copy drop me a line.

shrugs · May-27th-2003, 02:14 PM

I think the 2 Koch reissues can be found on the cheap. Apparently the DIW is pretty expensive new, if you can still get it.
I paid around $30 for mine but I seem to remember someone paying close to $75 for a new copy.

Steve Reynolds · May-28th-2003, 09:22 AM

I remember paying about $90 for this years ago - Rudd is the star along with the pianists - with Mal & Muhal being the standouts.

Brian Olewnick · May-28th-2003, 10:03 AM

Is this the concert at Columbia University from the early 80's? If so, I was in attendance. I also remember Muhal, Waldron and Cherry as having stood out. Never heard the discs, though.

shrugs · May-28th-2003, 11:18 AM

I think youse guys need to sit down with this again and lend an ear to Lacy. He easily wins in the solo department in my book.
And there are definitely a lot of great ones by all. And how about the ensmeble playing? The intro to Evidence cuts deep.
And what's with all the views and only 11 posts?
Not only on this thread but a lot of others in this forum.

Jim Dye · May-28th-2003, 11:25 AM

Alright...i'll post. This is an incredible set. I agree with Shrugs that Lacy stands way out. I think I dig the Barry Harris set best, but really I enjoy all of it.

I bought the DIW version when it came out in the early 90s for about 40 bucks. The packaging is much better than the Koch cds.

Get it while you can!

strich · May-28th-2003, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jim Dye
The packaging is much better than the Koch cds.

Jim -- how is the packaging better? I think I've got a line on some used Koch pressings, but am interested in why you mentioned this. For example, I know that the cover art on the Koch versions of the Columbia Jane Ira Bloom records is inferior to the original releases, but that's about as far as it went.

Steve

shrugs · May-28th-2003, 01:07 PM

The DIW has a nice little booklet that contains some great insights by the players, especially the one by Lacy.
Not sure if the Koch sets have the same liners. But the music is worth the trip so grab the Koch's if you can.

Jim Dye · May-28th-2003, 01:15 PM

What shrugs said. Also, the quality of the paper and the "fit and finish" if you could call it that, is much better. Japanese CD packaging is always better than the US IMHO.

Not a reason to pass this set up though...

stonemonkts · May-28th-2003, 01:22 PM

Downtown Music Gallery has Vol. 2 but not Vol. 1. I ordered Vol. 2 yesterday (thanks guys for bringing this session to light).

DMG lists them as "DIW/Koch" so I'm not sure what I'll get, but as long as the sound quality is the same, I don't really care too much.

strich · May-28th-2003, 02:59 PM

Thanks, folks. I'll grab the first set I can get my mitts on.

Capt. W./TX. · May-28th-2003, 11:44 PM

Ever checked out Lacy, Cherry and Billy Higgins playing Monk tunes on "Evidence" (on OJC-originally on New Jazz)?

Or Lacy and Rudd on the last 3 cuts of "Regeneration" (on Soul Note)?

Some of my all-time favs...

Regards to all!

shrugs · May-29th-2003, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Capt. W./TX.

Or Lacy and Rudd on the last 3 cuts of "Regeneration" (on Soul Note)?

I looked around and I found out that I have 3 copies of Regeneration on vinyl! Great stuff!
Does anyone need a copy?

stonemonkts · May-29th-2003, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shrugs
I looked around and I found out that I have 3 copies of Regeneration on vinyl! Great stuff!
Does anyone need a copy?

I recently snagged the CD, but . . . my question is HOW MANY FREAKIN ALBUMS/CD do you own? MAN!!!

I know you're no match for Scott Yanow, but, damn! 3 copies of Regeneration on vinyl!!!

On topic, I'm listening to the Waldron CD from Interpretations Vol. 2. It's great, now I needs to get me a copy of Vol. 1. Wouldn't happen to have a spare CD of Vol 1 kicking around, would ya?

jazzfiend · May-29th-2003, 07:36 PM

Shrugs must have a humongous LP collection, larger than most record stores. I've got approx. 4000 lp's, but nothing close to the inventory of Mr. Shrugs.

shrugs · May-30th-2003, 07:42 AM

I think you may have more than I do. I haven't counted recently and probably never will but 4,000 is no paltry sum.

shrugs · May-30th-2003, 07:53 AM

I did a quick estimate and I don't think I even have over 3500.

jazzfiend · May-30th-2003, 02:41 PM

I hear ya, Dave. Well then, you've got some catching up to do.

The difference is that my collection began approx. 46 years ago, and I haven't purchased an Lp in over 15 years.

Happy shopping!