The Thelonious Monk Reader

by Rob van der Bliek (Editor)

Of all the major jazz artists, Thelonious Monk was one of the most original musical thinkers--nonconformist, idiosyncratic, imaginative, eccentric--in a word, unique. In The Thelonious Monk Reader , Rob van der Bliek has brought together some of the most revealing pieces ever written on Monk,
providing a full portrait of the musician and his impact on the jazz world.
Here is a wealth of information that was previously scattered and difficult to locate, including a wide range of articles, profiles, reviews, interviews, liner notes, and music analyses. Ranging in date from 1947 to 1999, these 39 pieces feature the work of some of our best jazz critics,
including Leonard Feather, Ira Gitler, Nat Hentoff, Andre Hodeir, Gunther Schuller, Martin Williams, and many others. The book spans Monk's childhood and early recordings with Blue Note and Prestige, his Riverside period and the critical recognition that followed the release of Brilliant Corners ,
and his fame and fortune during his Columbia years. Readers will find colorful descriptions of Monk's eccentric lifestyle as well as thoughtful commentary on his unorthodox piano technique, which was marked by off-center accents and idiosyncratic voicings, broken rhythms, alternately dense and
stripped down chords, and creative use of silence. Rob van der Bliek also provides a general introduction and brief introductions to each piece as well as critical annotations that place the work in context.
Controversial, often contradictory, and always engaging, these readings offer a complete view of the man, his music, and his time. The only such book on Monk's life and work, this volume will be "must reading" for jazz fans and scholars, musicians, music lovers, and readers with an interest
in African-American culture.

Genres: Music, Jazz, Nonfiction

286 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Jeff Crompton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating, well-chosen selection of articles on one of the greatest of all jazz composers and pianists, ranging from early profiles and reviews of Monk's first records to posthumous overviews of his career and impact. There is a wide variety here, from "human interest" interviews to in-depth musical analysis. The latter is provided by some of the best critical writers ever to devote themselves to jazz: Andre Hodeir, Max Harrison, Gunther Schuller, and Martin Williams. I don't agree with everything they have to say about Monk's music, but analysis of this caliber is always worth reading, and provides much food for thought.

The earliest selections are mostly fairly superficial, pointing out how "weird" Monk was supposed to be. The early record reviews from Down Beat, Metronome, and Billboard magazines are shocking to read now; they are condescending and dismissive of records now considered to be jazz classics. Paul Bacon, on the other hand, was writing about Monk as early as 1948 in The Record Changer, and was remarkably insightful about Monk's music from the beginning.

All in all, an essential collection of writing about Monk.

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-researched and -arranged collection of writing on one of jazz's true iconoclasts. While many details are repeated in multiple pieces, the author does a fine job of providing an array of different takes on the Monk.

I was personally hoping for more musicological analysis (there is some, but not much) but it can't be faulted in its goal - compiling written works directly speaking of Monk and his biography, personal character and critical reception.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for anyone studying Monk. Not one to read casually, though, as it repeats lots of stories and information--it's an anthology of writing about Monk, not a biography.