On the wagon
One of my favorite covers and records too. Paul Weller took the photo. Paul Bacon designed the cover. “Monk’s Music” The Thelonious Monk Septet with Coleman Hawkins, Art Blakey, John Coltrane, Gigi Gryce, Ray Copeland, Wilbur Ware. Riverside Records. 1957.
Monk’s fifth for the label and the first to focus on his own compositions. The record begins with “Abide With Me” - a very short piece, (only 50 seconds long). This is an 18th Century hymn brilliantly arranged by Monk. “Well, You Needn’t,” more than 11 minutes long, gives everybody the opportunity to blow. Monk, first, in a masterful solo; then Trane (listen to Monk calling “Coltrane, Coltrane!” just before Trane’s solo). “Ruby,my dear” is played by Hawk, and is the perfect tune for Bean’s imperial ballad playing. “Off Minor” has great solos by Hawk, Copeland and Monk. Finally, the sumptuous “Crepescule with Nellie”, written by Thelonious for his wife, is mostly played by Monk. (FYI: ‘Crepescule” comes from the French word “crepuscule”, which means twilight, dusk).
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