Thelonious Monk Monk 'Round The World CD

This release includes a bonus DVD featuring live performances of "Criss Cross," "Rhythm A Ning," and "Nutty" recorded in London, England in 1965.
Personnel: Thelonious Monk (piano); Charlie Rouse (tenor saxophone); John Ore, Butch Warren (bass guitar); Ben Riley, Frankie Dunlop (drums).
Liner Note Author: Kareem Abdul-Jabar.
This valuable compilation includes excerpts from five separate live performances recorded between 1961 and 1964, featuring Thelonious Monk and his longtime tenor saxophonist, Charlie Rouse, with three different rhythm sections. No matter which quartet is playing, the cohesiveness of the band is readily apparent as they dig into the possibilities within each the pianist's compositions, most of which have since become jazz standards over the decades. Monk is at his most playful in the sprightly "Rhythm-a-Ning" (based upon the chord changes to "I Got Rhythm"), which fuels Rouse's imagination during his solo. Monk's roots in stride piano occasionally slip into focus as well. It's impossible not to smile during Monk's humorous solo with "Hackensack" (based upon the Gershwin's "Oh, Lady Be Good!"), though the exchanges between Larry Gales and Ben Riley are also delightful. The second disc is a bonus consisting of three selections from a 1965 set at the Marquee Club in London. The video source material, in black and white, is remarkably well preserved, while it is also a rare opportunity to truly appreciate how focused his quartet with Rouse, Gales, and Riley actually was. The final image is of Monk turning slightly toward the audience and smiling, a great way to close a delightful new addition to the pianist's considerable discography. Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden
Given the plethora of live recordings made of Thelonious Monk in the 1960s (when everyone suddenly seemed to recognize his genius 20-plus years after he began composing and playing), this compilation provides a valuable service in bringing together the best of those performances. Between 1961 and 1965 Monk toured regularly with a quartet that featured Charlie Rouse on tenor sax and a revolving bassist and drummer, and was particularly well received (and documented) in Europe. MONK 'ROUND THE WORLD collects seven tracks from those years.
The tunes are among Monk's best, and have rightfully become standards--they will be familiar to anyone with a knowledge of classic jazz. The sprightly, angular sections of "Epistrophy," the stealthy groove-prowl of "Blue Monk," the beautiful ballad "Ruby, My Dear," and the witty, spastic "Rhythm-A-Ning" are included here in excellent versions. The three quartets featured (with Monk and Rouse the constants) display stellar rapport, exploring the quirks and possibilities of Monk's songs. The disc comes with a bonus DVD of in-concert footage, making this a definitive document/package of latter-period Monk.

Incl.A Bonus DVD Of Rare 1965 Concert Footage.

JazzTimes (p.118) - Rouse is a delight here, mixing lots of things you don't usually hear him doing with his more familiar devices."