This CD presents the complete original album The Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall (Riverside RLP12-300), as well as all other surviving music from that 1959 concert. This performance marks one of the rare occasions in which Monk could present big band arrangements of his own compositions, this time prepared by Hall Overton with Monks assistance.
Tracklisting:
01. In Walked Bud 7:09
02. Blue Monk 8:20
03. Rhythm-A-Ning 6:54
04. Thelonious 3:05
05. Friday The 13th 9:31
06. Monks Mood 10:22
07. Little Rootie Tootie #1 8:53
08. Off Minor 7:51
09. Crepuscule With Nellie 4:51
10. Little Rootie Tootie #2 8:31
Total time: 74:34 min.
All compositions by Thelonious Monk
Tracks #4-9, originally issued in the 12" LP
"Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall"
(Riverside RLP12-300)
Rest of tracks from the same concert
but not on the original album
Personnel on #1-3:
Thelonious Monk Quartet
Thelonious Monk (p), Charlie Rouse (ts), Sam Jones (b), and Art Taylor (d).
Personnel on #4-10:
Thelonious Monk Orchestra
Donald Byrd (tp), Phil Woods (as), Pepper Adams (bs), Eddie Bert (tb), Robert Northern (frh), Jay McAllister (tuba), Thelonious Monk (p), Charlie Rouse (ts), Sam Jones (b), and Art Taylor (d).
Big band titles arranged by Hall Overton
Recorded at Town Hall, New York, on Saturday, February 28, 1959
Producer: Orrin Keepnews
Engineer: Ray Fowler
Cover design: Harris Lewine, Ken Braren
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Reviews:
The Town Hall concert was really the kick-off for what was going to be a tour. I think it was an eight city tour, that never occurred because the reviews were so bad Riverside got scared. And so its funny how that record turns out to be a classic and probably the most important record that he did during his tenure at Riverside.
T. S. Monk (Monks son)
"Brilliant attempt to transfer the music to larger forces."
Alyn Shipton -Jazzwise
"It is fascinating, listening to this music from 53 years ago, to reflect how very little it has dated."
Les Tomkins -Jazz Rag
"Pianist Thelonious Monk's appearance with a tentet at a 1959 Town Hall concert was a major success. With Hal Overton contributing arrangements of Monk's tunes (including a remarkable transcription of Monk's original piano solo on "Little Rootie Tootie") and solos provided by trumpeter Donald Byrd, trombonist Eddie Bert, altoist Phil Woods, Charlie Rouse on tenor, and baritonist Pepper Adams, this date was a real standout. There would only be one other recorded occasion -- Monk's 1963 Philharmonic Hall concert -- when the unique pianist was as successfully featured with a larger ensemble."
Scott Yanow -All Music Guide
