This attractive box houses three previously released Black Lion CDs recorded at pianist/composer Thelonious Monk's
final sessions as a leader; only a few dates with the Giants of Jazz
were left in the future for Monk, who would soon retire altogether.
Heard in unaccompanied piano solos and in a trio with bassist Al
McKibbon and drummer Art Blakey, Monk is in surprisingly exuberant
form, still very much at the peak of his powers. Although most of this
music was last available in a "complete" Mosaic LP box set, there are
actually three additional alternate takes included in the very
enjoyable and somewhat definitive set. Highlights include "Little
Rootie Tootie," "Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland," "Blue Sphere," "Criss
Cross," "The Man I Love" and "Evidence," but all 29 selections are well
worth hearing. This is essential music for all serious Thelonious Monk
collections; the solo performances in particular are quite memorable.
- Piano – Thelonious Monk;
- Double Bass – Al McKibbon,
- Drums – Art Blakey
Vol 1
1. Trinkle Tinkle (Take 3) (7:28)
2. Crepuscule with Nellie (Take 2) (2:23)
3. Darn That Dream (5:52)
4. Little Rootie Tootie (4:08)
5. Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland (3:18)
6. Nice Work If You Can Get It (5:17)
7. My Melancholy Baby (5:13)
8. Jackieng (3:30)
9. Loverman (7:16)
10. Blue Sphere (2:23)
Vol 2
1. Evidence [Take 2] (5:28)
2. Misterioso (6:28)
3. Crepuscule With Nellie [Take 4] (2:25)
4. I Mean You (7:47)
5. Criss Cross (3:46)
6. Ruby My Dear (6:10)
7. Nutty [Take 2] (4:47)
8. Hackensack (7:55)
Vol 3
1. Trinkle Tinkle (Take 2) (6:04)
2. The Man I Love (5:19)
3. Something In Blue (6:41)
4. Introspection (Take 1) (1:15)
5. Trinkle Tinkle (Take 1) (5:48)
6. Crepuscule With Nellie (Take 3) (2:21)
7. Nutty (Take 1) (4:18)
8. Introspection (Take 3) (3:05)
9. Hackensack (Take 1) (9:04)
10. Evidence (Take 1) (7:14)
11. Chordially (Improvisation) (9:40)
