Here’s an album that is not spoken about enough and could be considered as one of Monk’s finest. The title of this 1959 album, “5 by Monk by 5” is a very cool shortcut for Five Songs Composed By Monk and Played by a Quintet. Thad Jones (on Cornet) made this album stand alone from the others. The addition of a song that is rarely played on any medium, “Jackie-ing,” helps separate the album further, enjoy!!
About the album:
This is a Hybrid Super Audio CD playable on Super Audio CD players and regular CD players. The title of this 1959 album nicely mirrors some of what makes Thelonious Monk so magical. He took common, simple elements and made them resonate with his personality. (Note: the original five pieces have been expanded to seven with the inclusion of two alternate takes.) Monk brought Thad Jones on board for an extra harmonic line in the compositions, as well as his spirited soloing. “Jackie-ing,” named for his niece, opens the album like a national anthem being paraded through some country where we all ought to be living at least some of the time. And then 55 minutes later it all wraps up with “Ask Me Now”–surely one of the most beautiful pieces in jazz or any idiom. Recorded at Reeves Sound Studios, New York, New York on….Read More
