Reviews (page 2 of 12)
Legendary. Takes me back to studying him in college.
A classic of bebop
Until I listened to this album, I had never heard a bad Thelonious Monk album. Still haven't.
Outstanding. This might be my favorite new album. It’s SO creative and yet so chill. These artists are each in a league of their own. A 5.
Ugh YES!!! this is what I needed today. My only complaint is that these songs are so long and I can't use them for swing dancing. Otherwise, nearly perfection. 9/10
Love this album, great for getting work done. Jazz baby, jazzzzzzzzz
Masterful. And I'm pleasantly surprised by how many of the musicians on this record are still alive.
Brilliant trumpets.
Heb de plaat denk ik nu stuk of zeven keer geluisterd en wordt steeds beter. Het is even inkomen maar het pakt uiteindelijk toch helemaal. Zijn niet standaard structuren waar je soms na een moeilijk stuk op weer iets bekends komt, in het begin voelt het als een lange ingewikkelde brij. Na lang luisteren begin je toch weer wat aanknopingspunten te vinden. Erg technische plaat. Met wel erg goed geluid voor 1957. Mijn favoriete drummer Max Roach is ook te leip. Drumsolo op 5 min op brilliant corners paar keer opnieuw geluisterd. Leuke ontdekking heeft mij erg geprikkeld en heb nog geen zin om volgende album te luisteren. Ga wat veder in Thelonious Monk duiken
monk, monk, monk... all that jazz
Man do i love Jazz. This album is incredible and i was scared cause the song lengths but boy does it work. The album starts out slow and builds getting more improvisational and slightly more chaotic. The instrumentation is incredible and sounds beautiful and there’s sections where you want to just enjoy the music and then also sections where you want to just dance a bit
Just high quality jazz
Finally something other than white guy rock!!! And it’s incredible too!! I think I’m just doomed to give way too many jazz records really high scores, but… like. Just listen to that piano solo on the title track - my jaw dropped. Or the glockenspiel on track 3, which I initially wasn’t too crazy about, really grew on me by the time the song ended, because of how dynamic the song itself became. I love the piano solo of I Surrender, Dear, just because of how much it highlights the absolute beauty of the piano as an instrument, with those incredible tone clusters, and dynamic melodies… it’s one of my favorite songs on the album. And that absolute triumphant, bombastic closer! Perfection!!! All in all, this is some of the most incredible, innovative hard bop that I’ve heard ever. The use of the different instruments is masterful, and the album is both a masterpiece and a masterclass in jazz. What an absolute delight of an album. So so sooo good. 9.8/10
One of my favorite *sounding* jazz records of all-time; Max Roach's drums on the title track sound absolutely titanic, and despite the occasional cacophonic blend of horns and piano (be that harmonic or otherwise), there's still somehow so much room to breathe. Incredible arrangements and individual performances. Especially considering the time period, Monk was so punk rock in his approach. I love it. 5/5
This album annoyed me because it's so good. Not annoyed with the album itself, but with the fact that this and several other jazz albums from the 50s sound like they were recorded just the other day. I love Elvis, Chuck, Little Richard, but the albums from the beginning of the Rock and Roll era (which are much more famous and popular) had recordings that have aged very poorly, in terms of production. But Brilliant Corners, along with other spectacular jazz albums from that time, ages like a fine wine...
I love how this all starts off, with some great dissonance and interesting interweaving rhythms. There are occasional smoother jazz moments, but soon enough it gets weird and complicated again, coming apart with the saxes and other good stuff before coming back to the melody. I'm glad there are no vocals on this record, which would distract from the subtle, interesting stuff happening with all the instruments. This isn't background music, it rewards close listening, so I put on the headphones and dialed in. I've always known of Thelonious Monk and how important his work was, but I think I never paid close enough attention to it before. I was sorry when this record ended. 5 stars
Classy. Inventive. Full of character. Timeless.
I loved it
Fantastic.
immediately gripping // playful, angular, and full of personality // melodies feel off-kilter but inevitable, like ur limping towards the sunset on a hot summer night // classic without feeling stiff // sense of humor aaaallll over the record, especially in the phrasing and timing, delicious // feels foundational but also weird in a way that still feels fun and new // i now understand why so many musicians orbit monk // truly everybody wants to be A CAT
Absolute classic. No notes, not much I can say. Has to be in any jazz collection/long run playlist.
This absolutely slaps. Grooves, moves, plays with sound that twines around each other. It can wash over you, or it can grab you in an incredibly interesting listen. Made with a real sense of joy, you feel like you are cool in a dingily lit club listening to this in the best way possible
I think I love jazz...
Jazz an automatic 5
Brilliant is pretty apt for this album. Everything down to the title and the cover is almost inquisitive and curious. I feel like a noir detective listening to this. It’s off kilter and strange but still well put together in that classic 50s jazz style way before the genre imploded into beautiful chaos in the 60s and 70s. Love it. I’m glad someone with as badass a name as thelonious became a renowned musician.
This is a legendary set. It holds a place in music history that cannot be touched. It's close to if not a perfect album.
When I think of jazz, this is what I think of. His compositional and directorial abilities to arrange ensembles of talented jazz artists was something that only comes along once every few generations.
I don’t listen to jazz often and haven’t listened to T Monk. This album was fantastic.
Great, so unique drums
looooved it
I really love jazz, and this is great jazz
Amazing
Sounds like smoking a cigarette in the rain
One of my all time favorites jazz artist, I didn't know the album, only song recompilations. Great album, a must if you like Jazz
Talk about getting out of my comfort zone ... I immediately felt like I should be dragging on a cigarette in a smoke filled jazz basement many decades ago. It was a not unpleasant feeling.
loved itttt
джазы всегда в почете
The older I get the more I deeply enjoy listening to jazz. Not for the songs themselves, but for the thrill of hearing musicians in the real playing music of supreme quality and expression, taking me on an aural journey.
I started trying to get into jazz as a teenager and I’m not sure I’ve ever quite succeeded. But I never had trouble getting into Monk. His unique takes on time, melody, and harmony always get into my soul as surely as Radiohead does. Returning to this album I think my favorite was “Pannonica” but I’m always up for “Bemsha Swing.” I actually heard it the first time in this Medeski Martin and Wood medley with “Lively Up Yourself” which is just fun: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=75Ma7X2-Pfw Anyway this music puts me in such a state of bliss that I wonder how I give fives to anything below that standard. But I seem to like everything, so on to the next.
Brilliant corners and pannonica are amazing melodies. This album really soars at the end with bemsha swing. This album is like an air fryer or a kettle in that every sensible home should have one. Uplifting and glorious improvisation
I liked it a lot. I went and listened to more of his discography as well for the whole day.
I wish I had the language to describe what I’m hearing. It’s wonderful but I lack the vocabulary to explain what is happening and why it works. Great music, though. Cool interplay between the musicians. Note combinations that should be atonal somehow work. Very cool.
I'm generally a big fan. This is a great recording.
You’ve got to dig it to dig it, you dig?
With an absurd number of 5/5 albums, I don't say this lightly that on Brillant Corners Monk is heard at the peak of his powers. Yes, I'm saying that this is his absolute best album. Peak Monk is high art- this is an album that's essential for anyone hoping to build even a small comprehensive jazz collection. Not having this album in your collection if you are a lover of the genre is akin to having a classical music library & not including any Beethoven- pure madness. I like most kinds of jazz (yes even a little fusion) but this hard bob stuff is probably my favorite. It just seems to speak to me on a very personal level. What a terrific way to end a truly great year. If I'm awake tonight as 2025 turns into 2026 you can bet that Brilliant Corners will be playing.
Magical
love it! gives the vibe of my fav coffee shop
Brilliant all over
Genial
Great tribute to David Beckham
Super cool,TM the greatest jazzman of them all, groundbreaking stuff for the decade. Love this and a perfect listen on Boxing Day morning before the madness of a full house begins with
Really smooth jazz, immediately took me to the time the album came out form, and yet it feels timeless.
Delightful
Smooth, Jazzy, and Bluesy. Just what I wanted.
Track by track: Brilliant Corners: 10/10 Bu-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are: 9/10 Pannonica: 8/10 I Surrender Dear: 8/10 Bemsha Swing: 9/10 88/100 total—5 stars I’ve only really listened to the jazz “essentials”—like, Kind of Blue, A Love Supreme, etc—and the only one of those I really *got* without much effort or research was The Shape of Jazz to Come. Jazz is the genre I know the least about. I can say that this has really cool drums, though, and the solos do a great job with filling space in a creative way. It’s not as good as the jazz albums I have to compare it to but it sounds pretty good so what the hell.
Schön mal ein Jazz-Album zu hören, bei denen das Klavier mehr im Vordergrund steht. Fand ich sehr cool.
This effort has a timeless sound. Such an influence that I can imagine more than a handful of acts bringing similar quality to some of my local jazz clubs and bars. To think this album could be my parent, and yet has the smooth glow of genius traveling through it from start to finish that I could just fall in love with. Don't look into my soul like that, Thelonious. Let's just finish this off with the quality of that album cover. This is 1957, no Photoshop. A well dressed Monk circles himself with five* of his own bodies, joyfully looking out in every direction. Not a hand or a finger in sight. This feels normal in passing, and when you pay attention you see there's something extraordinary happening in plain sight. Let the image sink in, then mix it with the music. 4.85/5
Could keep listening on repeat
A perfect jazz album
Very chill, would def listen to more by him
Excellent album
This is what I think about when I think about Jazz. "Dinner music" in the best possible way. Like if "Dinner" was cocktails in a smokey lounge.
det här är att leka musik på bästa sätt
Brilliant
Jazz je i predobar je. nemam ništa pametno za reć osim da sam baš guštala hehe :* ne mogu ni rec best track jer su mi se mashale u jednu jbg hhh
Monk set the bar for cool, for Jazz, for life. This album is complex jazz that only Konk can do. 5/5
Always sounding like himself, Monk has a style all his own. His unique approach blends perfectly with the two different smokin line ups contained within these recordings.
Soothing, good background music
Great jazz
I dont listen to a lot of jazz but this is nice idk, I dont have a great ear for it. so I feel like I can’t connect as much to it. but its okay.
Brilliant
the one and only! one of the first jazz musicians who I started to really identify with charts from. Blue Monk was one of my favourite charts to play in high school.
Un génie. J’irai avec la recommandation de 2 documentaires. Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser de Charlotte Zwerin, sorti en 1988. Rewind & Play de Alain Gomis de 2022.
Drôle de coincidence, je commentais justement la façon non de prendre ses "puffs" non orthodoxe à Paulo ce week-end. Je lui disais de keep weird comme Thelonious Monk, on s'en fout de la technique! Sonny Rollins aussi un de mes saxophonistes prefs du hard bop, The Bridge et Saxophone Colossus à écouter ++. Je ne connaissais pas cet album mais je conaissais Pannonica. Vraiment des structured de pièces weird ce Monk, mais toujours plaisant à l'oreille.
wonderful jazz album which is perfect for rainy winter days
Gorgeous. Yes to everything classically-trained-musician said about Monk that I wouldn't know how to say, just that I love his weird way with bending piano notes and making your ears squirm. I liked every song better than the one before, just gave it a single listen because I know I'll be back to this one.
Fabulous jazz album, such a talented artist with a good sense of rhythmic timing
It was glorious and soothing from start to finish. Jazz the most intricate genre in music is exemplified by the work of Mr. Monk.
Tremendous.
Perfection! I could listen to Monk all day.
Pretty good album, very nice to listen to while doing working. I haven't been able to pay close attention to the music, but I'm sure there's a lot of think about based off of the small blurbs I could catch. Definitely an artist I will continue to seek out.
That’s some great jazz. Excellent from first track to the last
9/10, made me realize I love jazz music
Perfecto
So loose it's always on the verge of falling apart. Monk's piano playing is crazy. Amazing album.
I mean come on, it's Monk.
This is one of those jazz guys where I know the name, but not the music. These musicians are top notch. I’m settling in for a journey and enjoying the ride here. Track 2 “ba-lue…” is my favorite track so far. I love the space, the melody, the fact that I feel like I’m in the room with them. The bass solo in this song is great. Everyone drops out, even the drums. The way he plays with time and still keeps it. Then the drums come back in for a solo. This album is phenomenal.
Mily jazzik
Superb. One of the great jazz albums of all time. Creative, unconventional (even 70 years on), incredible musicianship, and truly original compositions. Nice.
It is brilliant. No more to say. Five stars.
Monk is monk
Amazing
Really iconic - cannot believe this was made in 1957.
My favorite Thelonious Monk album. “Not always beautiful, but always exciting” - some critic
I don't like all jazz, but I like some, and this is one that I like a lot.
Astounding album!
I liked it a lot.
I loved
Супер класика. Чудовий приклад хард бопу. Мені менше за інші подобається Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are, але вона насправді теж дуже гарна. Тому не бачу підстав ставити щось менше за 5 зірочок
Вперше я дізнався про Телоніуса Монка десь на першому курсі університету. Тоді модним був Муракамі, я багато його читав, а також починав занурюватись у джаз. Мені трапилась книга "джазові портрети" (звісно ж російською) і звідти я дізнався про багатьох класиків. На все життя запам'ятав як Муракамі описав там Монка - "він грає наче хтось розколює лід на маленькі шматочки" (цитата неточна, але суть така). І оці монківські акорди я відтоді уявляю саме так. А альбом шикарний.
це тупо пушка. соромно і визнавати, що я дізналася про цей альбом з тіктоків, але якщо щось і може врятувати сучасні меми, так це дуже крутий справжній джаз. я ніколи особливо не слухала джаз, бо завжди було складно зрозуміти з чого почати, але дуже полюбляю idm, і в цілому зараз я задумалась, що в них більше спільного, ніж може показатися. дуже душевна робота, треба буде послухати більше
Great compositions and improv, swing and groove throughout. Sonny Rollins brought the flamethrower
An all around great album showing the range and depth of Monk’s work. Every track is interesting and unique in its own right. At times he takes the limelight and others he lets his fellow musicians cook. If someone asked where to start with jazz, this would be a great sequel to big band greats like Ellington.
jebeno fenomenalan
Great jazz album
So glad that a few of the great jazz recordings made the list, like this classic by Monk. UT why not more? So many deserving artists and albums.
🌀 Rating: 5.0 / 5 📀 Short Review: Brilliant Corners is jazz with sharp elbows—composed like a maze, performed like a séance. It’s not for everyone… it’s for people who lean into the dissonance and come out glowing. 💣 Favorite Track: “Brilliant Corners” This song is so complex they had to splice together different takes to make it playable. It’s basically a Rubik’s cube set to swing.
Nice
Buttery
Beautiful, Timeless, relaxing, I have no better words. 9/10.
Beautiful ensemble playing. Clever tunes and rhythms.
Not a Jazz fan normally, but this might have convinced me to listen to more jazz. Beautiful sound and music that just captivated.
4.5 rounded up always challenging for me to pick favorites from instrumental records, especially when the tracks are longer.. this whole thing is simply exquisite highlights: ba-lue bolivar ba-lues-are, pannonica (feb 12 2026)
Real Jazz. Sonny Rollins on sax - so good. Deep but also relaxing. So atmospheric.
Love it. Jazz. Those tiny dissonances in “Pannonica” with those twinkly things (technical term, of course) giving the album an extra twist. The piano dialogue on “I Surrender, Dear.” One of those albums I’ll definitely spin again.
Like a classy restaurant soundtrack
Close call on this -- kind of a classic 4.5-star album for me -- but rounding up for the awesome bass lines.
I’m a fan of all things Monk so this is not a subjective review. 9/10
Well, what to do with this one. It's a five star rating, that's clear. It's a brilliant album, no pun intended. But I think it's really an odd one on this list. Together with Charles Mingus this is probably the only hardcore jazz album on the list. Apart from some jazzrock-albums, most jazz albums are of the rather listenable kind. Thelonious Monk isn't listenable. It's all about dissonance and bizarre complex song structures. You need to be a trained jazz amateur to enjoy this, I think. And even then... But man, listen to his solo performance 'I surrender,dear'. To me that's the highlight of this album. There is a reason that one of most popular releases was a compilation of his solo performances. He is so brilliant. He seems to master the basics material a straightforward standard, that he can do with it whatever he likes. The melody is never stated, he picks it up, turns it around, destroys it and at the same time embraces it in the most loving way, he's out of this world. It's exceptional. Another gem is the strange Pannonica with the odd celesta played by Monk. Well, it's on the list, so a well deserved five star rating. But in fact I think it should be on another list.
Free jazz by one of its finest
Brilliant stuff! 5 stars
I'll take Monk over (more than?) half of this list.
Delightful listen to it on the bike ride to work at work and from work
Incredible
What an absolute delight of an album. Not so wild that it seems grating but never so calm that you lose interest. Put me in a wonderful mood to the point that I might listen to this (or something similar) every morning. Fantastic from start to finish. Wish I could give it a million stars!
Perfecto
Been getting more into jazz as of late, so this was a fun, perfectly timed treat. I loved it.
This was super relaxing to listen to, with a few parts that excite everything. Great jazz album
Peaceful but disquieting. Monk plays with a stuttering skittish rhythm, pausing unexpectedly, tripping and catching up, emphasizing beats you weren't ready for and holding a rest a beat longer than usual. This is all most evident on the solo piece 'I Surrender, Dear' where it's him and the piano and he's free to riff without a bass/drum waiting on him trying to keep time. The blues and swing pieces are classic hard bop, warm and lively with hints of dissonance from the piano shading the tone and pushing new harmonic interpretations of the melodies.
10/10. One of the coolest albums of all time.
2nd album from generator. It was a good listen while riding my mountain bike. Jazz is all over the place for me, but it's interesting sometimes. Maybe it's growing on me?
Amazing
Brilliant album, really enjoyed hearing it again.
i never listen to jazz but this is serious so 5 fuckin’ stars it is
beginner to jazz
Hey baby that's jazz, deal with it!
## In-Depth Review of *Brilliant Corners* by Thelonious Monk *Brilliant Corners*, released in 1957, stands as a pivotal work in both Thelonious Monk’s career and the evolution of modern jazz. This review will explore the album’s music, lyrics (where applicable), production, themes, and influence, and conclude with a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## Music **Compositional Innovation** *Brilliant Corners* is renowned for its compositional complexity and innovation. The title track, “Brilliant Corners,” is particularly notable for its unconventional structure-an eight-bar A section, a seven-bar B section, and a modified A section-making it one of the most challenging pieces Monk ever wrote. The rhythmic accents, abrupt tempo changes, and jagged phrasing required the musicians to attempt over 20 takes in the studio, with the final version being a splice of several attempts[6][7]. This complexity is not just technical showmanship; it reflects Monk’s unique vision of jazz as a space for both structure and surprise. **Instrumentation and Performance** The album features a stellar lineup: Thelonious Monk (piano, celeste), Sonny Rollins (tenor saxophone), Ernie Henry (alto saxophone), Oscar Pettiford and Paul Chambers (bass), Max Roach (drums, timpani), and Clark Terry (trumpet on “Bemsha Swing”). Monk’s piano playing is central-his use of dissonant clusters, angular melodies, and percussive touch is unmistakable. Rollins’ saxophone work is a highlight, especially in his interplay with Monk, providing both contrast and cohesion[2][6][8]. Other tracks, such as “Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are,” showcase extended improvisation over a modified blues form, with the musicians stretching out and exploring the harmonic landscape. “Pannonica” introduces the celeste, giving the ballad a dreamy, surreal quality, while “I Surrender, Dear” is a solo piano piece where Monk’s stride influences and harmonic daring are on full display[5][7]. **Rhythm and Harmony** Monk’s rhythmic approach is idiosyncratic. He subdivides rhythms in unexpected ways while maintaining a swinging pulse. His harmonies, often built from dense clusters and unusual intervals, were initially seen as eccentric but have since become a hallmark of modern jazz composition[7][8]. The tension between Monk’s avant-garde tendencies and the more traditional approaches of his collaborators adds a palpable energy to the performances. --- ## Lyrics *Brilliant Corners* is an instrumental album, so there are no lyrics to analyze. The album’s expressive power comes entirely from the music-the interplay of melody, harmony, and rhythm-rather than from words. Any “narrative” or emotional content is conveyed through Monk’s compositional voice and the improvisational dialogue among the musicians[2][6]. --- ## Production **Recording Challenges** The production of *Brilliant Corners* was famously difficult. The complexity of the title track required producer Orrin Keepnews to splice together multiple takes, a rare practice in jazz at the time. This was not due to lack of skill among the musicians, but rather the unprecedented demands of Monk’s writing[6][7]. The rest of the album was recorded more conventionally, but the sessions were still marked by a sense of experimentation and risk. **Sound Quality and Engineering** For its era, the album’s sound is warm and clear, capturing the nuances of Monk’s piano, the bite of the horns, and the dynamic range of Roach’s drumming. The mix allows each instrument to be heard distinctly, which is crucial given the density of the arrangements. The occasional use of celeste and timpani adds unexpected timbral colors[8]. --- ## Themes **Innovation and Individuality** The overarching theme of *Brilliant Corners* is innovation. Monk’s compositions break away from standard song forms, embracing odd phrase lengths, abrupt modulations, and dissonant harmonies. The album is a statement of artistic individuality-Monk’s refusal to conform to prevailing jazz norms[6][7]. **Joy and Playfulness** Despite its complexity, the album is suffused with a sense of joy and playfulness. The music is full of “jaded edges and sharp, pointy exteriors,” but also “jovial excitement” and moments of unexpected beauty[5]. Tracks like “Bemsha Swing” and “Pannonica” balance cerebral invention with emotional warmth. **Struggle and Perseverance** The recording process itself, especially for the title track, becomes a metaphor for perseverance and creative struggle. The musicians’ efforts to master Monk’s demanding material are audible, giving the album an undercurrent of tension and release[6]. --- ## Influence *Brilliant Corners* is widely regarded as a landmark in jazz history. It was Monk’s first album for Riverside to feature primarily original compositions, and it marked a turning point in his recognition as a composer and bandleader[4][6]. The album’s influence can be traced in several directions: - **Jazz Composition**: Monk’s willingness to experiment with form, harmony, and rhythm paved the way for later innovators like John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman[1][6]. - **Performance Practice**: The album demonstrated that jazz could be both highly structured and deeply expressive, influencing generations of musicians in how they approach ensemble playing[7]. - **Cultural Impact**: *Brilliant Corners* is regularly cited in “must-hear” album lists and is considered essential listening for any serious jazz fan[2][8]. --- ## Pros and Cons | Pros | Cons | |---------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | Groundbreaking compositions and structures | Some tracks are so complex they required splicing, losing spontaneity[6][7] | | Stellar performances, especially from Monk and Rollins | Not all musicians are equally comfortable with Monk’s demands[7] | | Rich, innovative harmonic and rhythmic language | The album can sound “dated” or “cliché” to some modern listeners[2]| | Emotional depth and playfulness amid technical brilliance | Accessibility: challenging for jazz newcomers in places | | High production quality for its era | Lack of lyrics may limit appeal for some | | Enduring influence on jazz and beyond | Occasional unevenness in ensemble cohesion | --- ## Conclusion *Brilliant Corners* is a masterwork of 20th-century music-an album that captures Thelonious Monk at the peak of his creative powers. Its combination of compositional daring, virtuosic performance, and emotional resonance makes it both a challenging and rewarding listen. The album’s production history, marked by struggle and perseverance, only adds to its mystique. While the album’s complexity and idiosyncrasy may present barriers for some listeners, its innovations have become foundational to modern jazz. The interplay between Monk’s singular vision and the contributions of his bandmates results in music that is at once cerebral and deeply human. For those willing to engage with its “brilliant corners,” the album offers endless rewards-a testament to the enduring genius of Thelonious Monk.
This album turned out to be a pleasant surprise, especially considering it leans into the more avant-garde side of jazz. It’s a good example of how experimental jazz can still feel accessible and grounded. The instrumentation is strong throughout, but what really stood out to me was how Monk uses the piano as much for rhythm as he does for melody. Also, an interesting bit of backstory is that the title track was so complex it had to be pieced together from several takes. That really shows how intricate and demanding the composition is. Even though the album feels slightly off-center, it’s very intentional and well crafted. This is definitely the type of jazz I’d like to explore more deeply moving forward.
Type of jazz I really enjoy. Drums and piano are always wonderful, it was really relaxing to listen to to. Overall I’d say 9/10 great tracks, not too many, they’re a bit long and completely instrumental, so I’m sure not everybody would like it as much as I.
Cooooool daddy-oh.
Classic album.
Pefect jazzy background to work to. Helps that I also love jazz.
A cornerstone record in any jazz collection.
This album turned out to be a pleasant surprise, especially considering it leans into the more avant-garde side of jazz. It’s a good example of how experimental jazz can still feel accessible and grounded. The instrumentation is strong throughout, but what really stood out to me was how Monk uses the piano as much for rhythm as he does for melody. Also, an interesting bit of backstory is that the title track was so complex it had to be pieced together from several takes. That really shows how intricate and demanding the composition is. Even though the album feels slightly off-center, it’s very intentional and well-crafted. This is definitely the type of jazz I’d like to explore more deeply moving forward.
A spectacular album, by a stellar line-up of musicians.
a hard bop composition whose title track was so complicated that the first quintet to record it had 25 takes, devolved into anger, and ultimately was created by the editor pulling together multiple takes. a super fun jazz album with heavy havana influence.
Excellent Perfect Beautiful
Jazz at its best.
Brillant!
Very good- It almost made spreading mulch in 47 degree temps enjoyable
So damn good
Creative Bops
No one plays the piano like Thelonious Monk, and this band is stacked. A classic album, and Bemsha Swing is a tune for the ages.
I've said this before about jazz albums, but I find it difficult to review them. The ones on here are largely by jazz masters, so you know they're going to be good. You could probably swap out a lot of these albums with others from the same artists and not miss a beat. That's how good they were. Sure, some might be technically better than others (from a skills standpoint, I mean), and some might be more exciting or more expressive than others, or be in a sub genre of jazz you like more than others. But on the whole, they're all going to be good. Monk didn't produce bad stuff. Neither did Davis, Ellington, Coltrane, Basie, Rollins, Armstrong, etc. At least in my opinion. So this is an easy five stars. It's Monk, what do you want? Standout Tracks: Brilliant Corners, I Surrender, Dear
I could cry this is perfect
Love this guy.
Love thelonious, there a lot of quotes in here or maybe a lot of melodies quote this album idk. overall awesome
Damn cool, this one.
Tough to review someone so far beyond anything I can fully understand in terms of talent. Clearly a masterful performance. Great listen and makes total sense to be on the list. Reading about all the other players getting frustrated playing the title track due to the complexity is funny.
I've heard the name forever, but not the music. What can you say for something like this? It just puts me in a trance. Occupies my mind. Yeah.
Amazing
THELONIOUS MONK THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!!!!!!!!!!
Brilliant. Not as spare as most Monk, but that's Sonny Rollins for you.
Brilliant writing and musicianship. It's not my favorite kind of jazz as I often find it too dissonant and difficult to follow, but I also understand that is because of my own limited musical knowledge.
Brilliant stuff. Love the Monk, hadn't heard this one before. Man keeps it jazzy and inventive whilst barely ever being irritating.
9/10. Great album all the way through. Added 3 songs to the playlist.
Something detractors don't seem to recognize about Monk is that his compositions are all about rhythmic precision. To have his horn players and rhythm section all in lockstep with his own idiosyncratic approach is an incredible accomplishment that requires top-tier players performing at their best. Rollins, Roach, Pettiford and company are all well up to the task — and it shows. Maybe not an ideal jumping off point for jazz neophytes, who can be forgiven if they don't get it at first. As long as they don't go shooting their fool mouths off in the reviews. (Why on earth do I even click that link?)
Actually been listening to this and Straight No Chaser a lot this week. TM is so great at making a broken melody sound complete
Pretty good
Not my usual music choice to listen to but absolutely loved it
how do you play a piano like that
The kind of jazz they use on PBS, specifically Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, has always had a special place in my heart. It's what the world I'm from sounds like. It's what it sounds like when I think about the pizza place next to the old bank and the video store near the train tracks. It looks like a model train diorama.
Really cool jazz. A real treat. Wish it ran longer.
I needed that Jazz album today. Classic Jazz has a way of soothing the soul and this record was no different. Plus, Thelonious Monk is the most fire name of all time.
i enjoy jazz music more than i thought
Brilliant album. Thelonious is a genius.
One of my favorite albums of all time
in many ways, Thelonious Monk was far ahead of his time. although there's no denying that he was a major figure in the creation of bebop, his compositions (which have been recorded more times than those by any other jazz composer) evoke not just the then-modern bop sound, but also hark back to the fundamentals of swing and the blues. through all the idiosyncratic rhythmic schemes, odd phrase lengths, moments of dissonance and unexpected modulations, some of the most iconic melodies ever conceived shine through everything as clear as bells, or perhaps the celeste Monk plays on this album's version of "Pannonica". although this album is most well-known for its incredibly thorny title track, which alternates between choruses at full speed and half-time (and which Monk's quintet had to record in sections due to the difficulty of such a challenge for musicians in 1957), Brilliant Corners is full of more subtle surprises. "Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are" is a lengthy, extended jam on a modified B flat blues where saxophonists Sonny Rollins and Ernie Henry get a lot of space to stretch out; the aforementioned "Pannonica", one of Monk's quirkiest ballads, is enhanced by the presence of the also-aforementioned celeste; the solo rendition of Harry Barris' "I Surrender, Dear" features Monk's iconic stride stylings complete with some incredible dissonances thrown in for style; and "Bemsha Swing", one of my favorite Monk compositions, gets a brilliant reading to close everything out with an especially bombastic drumming performance by Max Roach incorporating some huge timpani hits. as far as fifties bop goes, this is textbook and should be required listening for any jazz musician or aficionado. light 9/10.
Genius
Thelonious Monk doing his thing and doing it masterfully.
Always enjoy some Monk
This is probably the most accessible jazz album of the jazz albums I've gotten in this list. Most of the jazz that I've gotten so far has been pretty hardcore stuff. Monk is the quintessential bop/post-bop musician, and so his music contains oddball time signatures, small combo sound, but stays close to a melodic theme, before free jazz emerged. Nevertheless, he's pretty far out there, just not Rahsaan Roland Kirk / Ornette Colman / Sun Ra levels of "out there". I find Monk a lot of fun to listen to--he truly plays the piano, as in playing, experimenting, exploring. Brilliant Corners swings (like most Monk), and the melodic themes stick with me for days after I listen. I think Monk is a great door into jazz for pop/rock/hip hop fans.
I should come back
Wow only 5 songs to make a 47-minute long album?? They don’t make stuff like this anymore. I love jazz so I might be biased going into this, but the music is wonderful. I love how the whole album just feels like one big jam session. Fave Song: Pannonica Least Fave Song: I Surrender, Dear Rating: 5/5
Amazing. I especially like the drum solos.
This is the recording that came up right after one of Kanye West's albums. A complete 180 degree turn. Being someone who does enjoy jazz I am glad to have heard this album from Thelonius Monk whichnI somehow had not come across previously. And what a cast. In addition to Monk, there is Clark Terry, Sonny Rollins, Oscar Pettiford and Paul Chambers on bass, Ernie Henry and Max Roach on drums. Apparently Monk's first album with his own material. There was much more.to come!!
Great for casual hangout for background classical jazz tunes. Great for car ride with fam
Exciting and monumentous. Beautiful and subtle. A rare achievement. We listened like 7 times in a row.
Perfect!
if I were asked what I like more: jazz or drinking tea in front of the fireplace, I would answer that it's the same shit. thelonious is my favourite one he is on a level with miles davis and john coltrane the music is when your legs want to fly and your arms want to walk on the earth woosh....
Loved!
Great jazz music for a quiet evening in and glass of wine
Jazz but good jazz. 8/10
I should listen to more jazz. And after listening to this album, that further cements that thought. Wow, everyone was just... on. I found myself humming the melody of the last track throughout the day, which really tells you something, you know? I like how the first two tracks kinda ran together, I had totally missed the change. Top tracks: "Bemsha Swing," but all the others were stunning pieces of work.
While I had heard of Thelonious Monk, I'd never actually listened to his music till this project. Boy have I been missing out. If anyone says Jazz sounds bad, send them this album. 5/5
9/10
I've listened to this album twice now and it's not going to stop at that. This is jazz how I like it, to be enjoyed with focus (but it works as background music too). It's as if you are in the studio with the musicians just enjoying and wondering what they'd come up with next. Nothing is predicable, but at the same time nothing is just to show off, it all serves a purpose. Nice variation in instruments/ solos. There are a (very) few phrases reminiscent of what came before like swing style jazz, which I don't like. But it's mostly (hard) bop - not sure what that means but if it's jazz with bop in it I usually love it :-). Nearly 70 years old but still sounds great. A 5* for me!
Beautiful jazz💆♂️Piano, saxes, trumpet and bass is perfect to me. Drums also really good, but maybe just a bit too free at times.
Pretty great
The world needs to hear more Monk.
Cool classic jazz that often has harsh and dissonant sounds, but leans into them to. Reate hooks. Right off the bat with Brilliant Corners, it's abrasive and challenging, but about a minute in it takes off and starts bringing that motiff all around with a ton of different tones and vibes. I enjoyed this as someone who had never listened to Thelonious. Probably just behind A Love Supreme on my favorite Jazz from this playlist so far.
For me Monk, as a composer, is second only to Bach in making music that reflects the fullness of life. It's almost unfathomably complex, at times messy, filled with tension, and constantly taking unexpected turns. But with all of that, it's beautiful and exciting, occasionally funny, and undeniably rooted in some grand pattern that we, mere mortals, can only vaguely recognize. And like life, as crazy as it gets, it always leaves me wanting more. Brilliant Corners is an absolute masterpiece.
This was an excellent antidote the morose album Bright Flight
This was wonderful. Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-lues-Are is my favorite, and when I was listening, it really reminded me of the Cruella de Vil theme from the original animated 101 Dalmations. I remember the character Roger was a jazz pianist, and I figured the composer of the theme Roger plays must have been paying homage to Monk. Wikipedia confirms this is so! Lovely Sunday afternoon relaxation, this.
Maybe I’m being generous but I just love jazz. Haven’t listened to enough Monk before this.
Unreal, worth adding to the work collection.
Everything I love about jazz
Superb
It’s monk. Of course it’s perfect.
cool but deep jazz
Swanky and stanky. The Picasso of jazz. Rock on Thelonious.
Yeah, most 50’s jazz on here is really good.
genius. highly recommend you listen.
It's been a while since I listened to a full album of Monk. I really enjoyed this one. The crazy piano cords were not as prevalent here but you could hear him experimenting with the music. He truly a master and this album shows it.
The unique and original Thelonious Sphere Monk: he alters our understanding of rhythm and chords structure for everyone that hears him. He is life altering. In his day he was revolutionary and it holds up today. Three favorites are on this album: The title track, Pannonica, and Bemsha Swing. It still amazes how listenable and fun he made discordance and jerky rhythms. Any fan of music needs to hear Monk before they die.
Got my dick hard
This album was absolutely fantastic! I'm not much of a jazz fan typically., I don't know why... I'm not sophisticated enough I suppose, but this album hit right for me. It was really well done. All of the artists were tight, and I enjoyed the solos (mainly bass and drum) that they did throughout the record. The first thing that struck me when Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are came on was... "Man, this sounds like the Cruella de Vil song". Apparently, the Cruella song was written by Mel Leven as an hommage to Thelonious Monk. I also thought Pannonica sounded familiar. It took me a while to figure it out, but the tune sounds a lot like Hopelessly Devoted To You by Olivia Newton-John from the musical Grease. Also, it turns out that Jon Hendricks wrote lyrics for the song, and Carmen McRae sang them. That song is called Little Butterfly. Favourite songs: Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are, Pannonica, Brilliant Corners Least favourite songs: "I Surrender, Dear" 5/5
This was, very predictably, excellent. One of the best to ever do it. A lovely way to ease in to the day.
Thelonious was always a bit ahead of his time. And he doesn’t quite fit into jazz. He’s jazz. Yes. But if you listen he’s also a bit classical. He’s closer I think to Ellington than Armstrong. None of this is criticism, just observation. I liked this album. Still do. Listen to how he pushes harmony and rhythm. No one really thought like thelonious. Maybe Ellington or Ornette. 5
Amazing music, notes go in directions where they shouldn't work, yet they do.
This is the Monk era that I prefer and will share as representative of good Thelonious Monk.
the magic album, put it on , instant coolness
Hierdie album is fokken wild, ouens. Vyf fokken sterre uit vyf ekse.
Pretty good
Tremendous playing. Absolutely lovely to listen to : )
awww, MAN!!! Amazing!!!! A true genius of modern music on piano, with a great band. Monk has a singular sense of time, and a singular sense of how to make a harmony. A fabulous listen
JAZZ
Great jazz album
Always good to listen to absolute masters at their craft. Also I love a good walking bass line.
I had not listened to this record before today but have now listened to it five times. It's just terrific. What a talented group of musicians at the height of their powers. Amazing to think that this is the oldest record I have had yet on this app but it sounds so fresh and new. It's Monk time!
gorgeous genius
A perfect album that is smarter than I’m able to fully appreciate. Seamlessly moves from swingy, bluesy bebop to freer more experimental jazz. The alto work is insanely good.
chill jazz
First time listening. Amazing
Dette er ikke engang Thelonious Monk på sitt beste! På spor 1 og 2 merker man at han fortsatt lever i en verden som verdsetter mer tradisjonell jazz, og selv om de er mer enn gode nok i seg selv, så er det spor 3, 4 og 5 som virkelig er noe å høre på. Det at han kom med dette så tidlig som i 1957, når Charlile Parker fortsatt var nyskapende, er bare helt vilt. En mann langt forut sin tid.
Such a great jazz album.
Monk is a captivating jazz artist, bringing his distinctive quirkiness and atonal proclivities into the already technically intense bebop genre. This record isn’t just smooth easy listening, the intensity and aggression of the piano work and tight horn work demand consideration. Great record that makes you participate intellectually with the jazz.
BOM DEMAIS!!!
Jazz clásico
Fantastic
Thelonious Monk is a name that is synonymous with jazz. His crisp, percussive piano playing has become one of the defining elements of modern music. His extensive catalog spans almost thirty years, and his performing career lasted longer. Brilliant Corners is a collection of Monk's own songs - complicated compositions that were difficult to record for their complexity. This album is considered one the very best jazz albums ever recorded.
Exciting and adventurous as it is relaxing. From a first time listen, it seems obvious this is an important album for jazz enthusiasts and anyone who studies music. Deserves to be on this list.
Love some Monk every chance I get
Cool
Love this, contains both depth and humor. Constantly surprising and always grooving
I mean, it's Thelonious Monk – his work never gets less than five stars from me.
Monk has more than one 5 star album, and this is at least 4.5, so I'm rounding up. Sonny Rollins on sax, 5 songs, no let up, everyone gets a chance to do their thing. Just look at the album cover…
John Coltrane is to jazz as Jimi Hendrix is to rock n roll. Sonny Rollins is to jazz as Jimmy Page is to rock n roll. Sonny is just absolutely transcendent on this record. "I played the wrong wrong notes." - T. Monk
Every middle school, high school, and college jazz ensemble in the United States has felonious monk as a portion of their jazz repertoire. Thelonious Monk is a master of the art form of jazz music.
My new fav monk album. The band adds so much and the solos are great as always
I personally love Monk, but understand why others find his music difficult. People who don't like Jazz look to his music and say "Just play the right notes!" His style embraces chaos and resolution in equal measures and the end result is beautiful.
Jazz... Monk... Vibes. I want to just highlight one song that really stood out above the rest not even because it is the best but just feels so deep a personal. There is a point in listening to enough jazz that you start to hear the instruments speak and tell the story of a song call it leitmotifs or call and response whatever. It is a magical moment to hear a song so beautiful that is just piano but meaningful. I surrender Dear is that song, I just hear this song of a couple on their last vacation and reminiscing on the times that they had in love and how that is gone. As the song progresses you feel the temptations and the love coming back as they realize they can no longer not love one another and you can literally hear the voices in the song and the last minute they are both opening their hearts as you hear one of them say "I love you" and after that Monk does a slide down the piano at this revelation. We end with a motif of wedding bells and hope for a future of our couple. Thats what i felt at least. I love Jazz
Terrific
Gorgeous, creative sound, mildly challenging but elegant at its core. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are; Bemsha Swing; I Surrender, Dear; Brilliant Corners; Pannonica
Loved this.
It’s Monk - what’s not to love?
Good
This had (what seemed to me to be) some very complex solo sections, especially Monk's piano and some saxophone bits. I can never tell how much is "composed" vs "improvised" but, either way, it sounds great.
Monk is one of the kings of bebop/jazz and this album is a standout example. Great horn section, choppy piano and chill drums. This is what I think of when I think classic jazz.
Masterful, complex, and a joy to listen to.
Exquisitely masterful
Very enjoyable
Typical Monk: killer tunes superbly performed. I don't want to write any more because it would be 3000 words, minimum.
Creative and brilliant
That was some cool and complex sound coming at ya. Monk is working overtime here with his composition and play. Wonderful to hear an artist at work pushing the envelope.
This is some high quality background music, and I say that not intending to knock this in any way. Certainly this could be listened to as a main event, but I happen to be working with this in the background and it is a wonderfully stimulating without ever distracting. Pannonica is one that stood out to me. Also absolutely love the piano work on I Surrender, Dear. Completely stripped of supporting cast Monk strings together a captivating and soulful piano medley. I've definitely heard Bemsha Swing before -- either interpolated in other jazz or somewhere in a Hollywood production. This was fantastic and I plan to listen again soon. Only qualm I have is I wish the upright bass was punched up just a bit in the mix. Otherwise, this is a fine example of a high quality jazz collaboration. Monk's keywork underpins much of the album (obviously, it has his name), but Sonny Rollins' sax constitutes a great amount of the life force of this album. 5 / 5
Haven't listened to anything by Thelonious Monk before as far as I know, but I love this! Will definitely be listening to more of his stuff.
Great album that has moved up into my list of essential jazz albums
Legendary.
Thelonious Monk has always been an artist I knew about but never listened to and I was so happy to finally have a chance. The quality of the musicianship on this is just so good and despite its complexity, extremely easy to listen to. It prompted me to keep listening to jazz for hours after.
Just heard the inspiration for Roger Radcliffe's "Cruella de Vil" song in 101 Dalmatians in "Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues Are," and my mind was pretty blown.
Thoroughly enjoyed this album. Aware that Thelonious Monk was a giant artist of jazz but didn't prefer his style of playing. Appreciate it more now, loved the group. Favourite song is Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are.
Holy Shit! Three of the best at their instrument during their prime. Thelonious Monk (piano), Sonny Rollins (sax) and Max Roach (drums) (+ a few others) in 1957- Jazz doesn't get much better than this. Brilliant Corners, Ba-Lu Bolivar and Bemsha Swing are three of my all-time favorite jazz compositions. Enjoyed this with a glass of bourbon and some mood lighting. I had this on repeat all day.
Dang good jazz. That's really all there is to it. Really, really skilled musicians, great solos, fun group dynamic. If you like jazz, this is for you. Fav tracks: Brilliant Corners, Bemsha Swing, Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are
Yes! A classic Monk album with Sonny Rollins
Amazing music. Love Thelonious
Not an expert of jazz, don’t know much about it at all, but this is basically what I imagine when you say jazz.
What a find!
50’s music is just so delightful. Done to please the listener and that quite ok with me. Loved this one.
5/10
Jazz on its best
Really enjoyed!
Listened to this all day and never got tired of it. A perfect album.
Had nt heard this one before. I like but don't love Monk as sometimes I find the melodies a bit dissonant. But I really enoyed every minute of this album. Brilliant Corners is brilliant. 5 stars
brilliant!!!!!!! Love It!
Great album. I loved that.
Beshma Swing is one of my favorite compositions. Every note of this album is perfection. Monk was one of the all time jazz masters and this album reflects his genius. No brainer: 5 stars.
Highlights - Brilliant Corners is an incredible composition. And as with yesterday's jazz adventure (Hot Rats - Frank Zappa) I really just enjoy being swept away by the music. Didn't like - Nothing, loved it. Overall - With jazz I just love to switch my brain off and vibe. I don't necessarily understand what's happening musically but it's obvious that there's an incredible amount of talent on display. And this came out in 1957! Absolutely pioneering. I will go back to this for sure.
If you love old jazz with piano, you'll like this. To be fair, I haven't listened to much Monk that I don't like.
Favorite songs: Brilliant Colors, Pannonica 1st listen: Harsh dissonant chords were surprising and abrupt. Whole album felt like 1 song. 2nd listen: I was waiting for those harsh chords, enjoyed the chaos. I began to hear the subtle differences between songs 3rd listen: Whole album feels like a movie with different acts. Easy to listen to on repeat. Sounds best when played in order.
Brilliant
Appropriate title for a brilliantly beautiful album
magnificent
I live jazz, but sometimes it doesn't get me, but this totally gets me. Loved it
This made my heart sing.
A masterpiece
Jazzy!
Yep. Great. I recognized all of the tunes. This must have been one of the albums featured in my jazz history class at UCLA.
Fresh jazz, I'm digging it. 5
Literally one of the greatest Jazz musicians of all time, not a single sleeper album