Thelonious Monk: Crepuscule With Nellie (Carnegie Hall, 1957)
Track
Crepuscule With Nellie
Group
Thelonious Monk Quartet (with John Coltrane)
CD
Thelonious Monk Quartet With John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall (Blue Note 0946 3 35173 2 5)
Musicians:
Thelonious Monk (piano), John Coltrane (tenor sax), Ahmed Abdul-Malik (bass), Shadow Wilson (drums).
Composed by Thelonious Monk
.Recorded: New York, November 29, 1957
Rating: 97/100 (learn more)
The tapes from this 1957 Voice of America recording at Carnegie Hall were discovered only in 2005, and they contain the most dynamic meeting between Monk and John Coltrane. In fact, once Blue Note put out the album later that year, it immediately ranked among Monk’s most important and most impressive works. “Crepuscule With Nellie,” a gorgeous melody for the pianist’s wife, is given a patient, expressive reading. Monk spends the first two minutes carving out the theme alone, and the rest of the band joins in for the next round. It’s Coltrane’s turn to play the melody straight while Monk adds a few flourishes around the edges. After 4½ minutes it’s over, and there’s more proof to the old adage that less is more.
Reviewer: Steve Greenlee
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Related Links
The Dozens: Twelve Essential Thelonious Monk Performances by Steve Greenlee
Tags: 1950s jazz · carnegie hall · live recording
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