Title: Underappreciated offering by Monk
Product review: This is the second Monk album I ever heard (Monk's Music was the first) and the first I ever bought. I still listen to it quite often. The criticisms one may have read of it not being very worthwhile because it breaks no new ground strike me as...well, as snobbish. Yes, it has some older songs on it, but "Thelonious" (for example) still sounds good and Monk has rarely hammered a keyboard like he does on this rendition. These are Monk's own songs, for crying out loud, and he obviously felt he had more to explore. Thelonious was such an innovator and so far ahead of his time, I don't understand how someone can criticize his last few Columbia discs because he wasn't breaking new ground when he'd been doing that very thing for close to 20 years.This CD still swings, and for my money, that's the highest praise possible. Monk was a tormented genius who gave us wonderful music. I for one appreciate his gift. Listen, swing with Monk and enjoy.
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