24-Bit Digitally Remastered! Includes 9 Bonus Tracks and the original liner notes by Martin Williams reprinted and new liner notes by Peter Keepnews.
During the past decade or so “Deconstructionism” has emerged from college Philosophy and French departments, gaining particular currency in connection with the popular arts. These days it’s not unusual to encounter a think piece theorizing that TV’s “Dark Angel” is, deep down, a deconstruction of The Seventh Seal, or some such absurdity. But when it came to true deconstructive invention, Thelonious Sphere Monk (1917-1982), as was so often the case, got there first. Solo Monk, recorded in late 1964 and early 1965, was his lone unaccompanied disc for Columbia (he already had three solo LPs under his belt, made between 1954 and ’59) and arrived during the final creative surge of his pathfinding career. Originally comprised of 12 Selections: —eight standards, and four originals (including the epigrammatic, striding “North Of The Sunset,” which Monk seldom played)—this new edition of Solo Monk adds eight numbers. All but one are alternate takes, but absolutely no one’s alternates take on more new meanings than Monk’s. Here he is, all by himself, examining, taking apart, then rebuilding these American musical structures with characteristically unique beauty. Quiet...genius at work.
Selections:
1. Dinah (Take 2)
2. I Surrender, Dear
3. Sweet And Lovely (Take 2)
4. North Of The Sunset
5. Ruby, My Dear (Take 3)
6. IÂ’m ConfessinÂ’ (That I Love You)
7. I HadnÂ’t Anyone Till You
8. Everything Happens To Me (Take 3)
9. MonkÂ’s Point
10. I Should Care
11. Ask Me Now (Take 2)
12. These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)
Bonus Tracks (Not on Original LP)
13. Introspection
14. Darn That Dream
15. Dinah (Take 1)
16. Sweet And Lovely (Take 1)
17. Ruby, My Dear (Take 1)
18. IÂ’m ConfessinÂ’ (That I Love You) (Take 1)
19. I HadnÂ’t Anyone Till You (Take 2)
20. Everything Happens To Me (Remake 1)
21. Ask Me Now (Take 1)
During the past decade or so “Deconstructionism” has emerged from college Philosophy and French departments, gaining particular currency in connection with the popular arts. These days it’s not unusual to encounter a think piece theorizing that TV’s “Dark Angel” is, deep down, a deconstruction of The Seventh Seal, or some such absurdity. But when it came to true deconstructive invention, Thelonious Sphere Monk (1917-1982), as was so often the case, got there first. Solo Monk, recorded in late 1964 and early 1965, was his lone unaccompanied disc for Columbia (he already had three solo LPs under his belt, made between 1954 and ’59) and arrived during the final creative surge of his pathfinding career. Originally comprised of 12 Selections: —eight standards, and four originals (including the epigrammatic, striding “North Of The Sunset,” which Monk seldom played)—this new edition of Solo Monk adds eight numbers. All but one are alternate takes, but absolutely no one’s alternates take on more new meanings than Monk’s. Here he is, all by himself, examining, taking apart, then rebuilding these American musical structures with characteristically unique beauty. Quiet...genius at work.
Selections:
1. Dinah (Take 2)
2. I Surrender, Dear
3. Sweet And Lovely (Take 2)
4. North Of The Sunset
5. Ruby, My Dear (Take 3)
6. IÂ’m ConfessinÂ’ (That I Love You)
7. I HadnÂ’t Anyone Till You
8. Everything Happens To Me (Take 3)
9. MonkÂ’s Point
10. I Should Care
11. Ask Me Now (Take 2)
12. These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)
Bonus Tracks (Not on Original LP)
13. Introspection
14. Darn That Dream
15. Dinah (Take 1)
16. Sweet And Lovely (Take 1)
17. Ruby, My Dear (Take 1)
18. IÂ’m ConfessinÂ’ (That I Love You) (Take 1)
19. I HadnÂ’t Anyone Till You (Take 2)
20. Everything Happens To Me (Remake 1)
21. Ask Me Now (Take 1)
