Thelonious Monk - Paris 1969 2 LP set

Thelonious Monk 
Paris 1969
Blue Note B0018821-01 2 LP set w/ gatefold jacket

A lost treasure from the legendary Thelonious Monk – a live date recorded in Paris at the end of the 60s – late in Monk's life, and every bit as wonderful as his famous 60s studio work with his quartet! Of that group, only Charlie Rouse remains on tenor sax – but Rouse is more than enough to make things great, and the interplay between his tenor and Monk's piano is completely sublime – full of angular movements, underscored with plenty of soul – and given support from Nate Hygelund on bass and either Paris Wright or Philly Joe Jones on drums. There's a rough edge to the music that's really great – that sharper, more sinister vibe that Monk could have in a live setting.

SIDE A
01. I Mean You
02. Ruby My Dear

SIDE B
01. Straight, No Chaser
02. Bright Mississippi
03. Light Blue

SIDE C
01. Epistrophy
02. Don't Blame Me
03. I Love Your Sweetheart of All My Dreams
04. Crepuscule With Nellie

SIDE D
01. Bright Mississippi (Reprise)
02. Nutty
03. Blue Monk