Reviews (page 7 of 13)
Did not like. Liked one of the pop songs. Violently happy.
It’s not background music
a lovely listen - album as a collective whole when you’re in the mood for jazz
# Album Name: Thelonious Monk # Artist: Brilliant Corners # Rating: 2/5 # Comments: The only corner this reminds me of is one of those sharp edges you manage to catch your balls on when you walk on by. I gave it a chance but i didnt enjoy this one. # Top Tunes: Not a single sausage # Would I listen to it again? No
Monk on form, I expect I'll only really appreciate this after coming back to it a few times. I read something recently that mentioned that one of the difficulties with appreciating Jazz is that people don't come to it chronologically, and so its hard to recognise the influence this has had on music you've already heard.
Amazing
It's not bad, but it's not good either. The first few songs are great, with some really nice solos to listen to. But as you progress through the songs, they start to sound like elevator music. Despite the few songs, listening to the end was a huge challenge.
Yesterday I lamented how 5 tracks at 45 minutes was too long, but today I’m going to contradict myself and say I enjoyed this one. I guess I like this jazz album a bit more than the funk/soul album of Isaac Hayes, either that or 42 minutes is fine, but 45 is too much? What can I saw I’m inconsistent. 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
Brilliant album, really enjoyed hearing it again.
I am not a huge fan of jazz, but liked this
i never listen to jazz but this is serious so 5 fuckin’ stars it is
I really want to appreciate this because I want to be the kind of person who appreciates the jazz greats. Besides, “hard bop” sounds like it should be bops that go hard, and “Thelonious Monk” has to be the coolest name that’s ever been. Alas, these meanderings just didn’t do much for me. They were pleasant. And I recognize and like the riff off the last track, “Bemsha Swing,” even adding it to my 1001 playlist. But the rest of the record, to use a technical term, felt too doodly to me. Sorry, Theo.
jazzz
Really solid jazz. Glad I listened!
Muy escuchable, no se hace insoportable de escuchar
As technically good as this clearly is, it made me want to punch something.
It takes a lot to make me like jazz. I like Kind of Blue and there were bits here that I could relax to. Other bits sounded like stereotypical American TV tunes gone wrong.
I like how this one sounded, but I couldn't get into it. I couldn't really pick out any motifs or parts to recognise. It just meandered along. The overall sound reminded me of time out by Dave Brubeck only that album has recognisable songs. So I prefer it. My star ratings are all over the place. Maybe this is a 2.5.
beginner to jazz
jazz 👍
I've heard some Thelonious Monk and I just find it falls on the wrong side of the track for me. This album, despite the awesome album cover, delivers experimentation and creativity that doesn't pay off for me. Not enough to be any better than middle of the road, I found.
Hey baby that's jazz, deal with it!
I don't have an ear for jazz. I can't find the groove, each 8-minute song is a slog. Maybe it's good. I'll never know.
Some more 50's jazz! Can't say I know too much about Mr. Monk, despite knowing the name. Pretty interesting playing style he has, which is evident in the first two compositions especially. I don't claim to be a music scholar, but the title track in particular sounded different than other jazz at the time purely due to its unconventional structure and almost "off key" piano playing. Yet I now understand that was Monk's flair and style. Things slow down after side one, becoming more "conventional" in a sense I guess. The first two tracks are definitely the highlights here. Also, the second track, "Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are" definitely inspired the Cruella De Vil song that Roger sings in 101 Dalmatians, yeah? Couldn't help but immediately think of that as soon as the first few notes hit.
## 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.
It was ok, a bit boring, didn’t really change me on my whole jazz adventure in any way. I can see why this is on the list, but maybe it just wasn’t for me
I quite enjoyed listening to this album. It was great music to have on while I was working on tasks that needed my "full attention" and thought processes. I don't know if I can see myself just sitting down and listening to this without having something else I'm doing.
it's jazz
Not a bad album, but it's just not for me.
The Good: Brilliant corners are better than sharp corners! The Bad: If corners are too brilliant… The Ugly: Realizing that cutting corners would’ve been better… We’ve got Thelonious Monk, one of the larger names in the Jazz game… if you are into jazz. If you are just into listening to music, then you probably would not have listened to this, as it takes a compass and several maps, and one of those army knives, in order for you to be prepared for the unknown. This album was not my thing, as it is the kind of Jazz that I am not such a big fan off… Give me swing, give me easy… just don’t give me this. However, glad I did get to listen to it, and will dish out a lovely 3*
Джаз это классно, но на постоянной основе бы не слушала.
Kept getting better and better.
Listened twice although not super closely either time. I'd go back to Kind Of Blue before this.
Yeah... I'm not a fan of these old experimental jazz albums, it was just kind of boring to me, it's okay, it's clearly well made & competent, just not for me, I can see why it's so highly regarded though, still, I thought it was boring.
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.
Jazz is just not for me.
Again, really nice. I understand the structure but it doesn't move me. Enjoyable in the background. I can't see sitting down and listening all the way through.
It’s jazz. Interesting but still jazz
Not bad
I Surrender, Dear
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.
good stuff, but not for me
Jazz sounds all the same to me… I guess I’m just not cultured
I need to be further educated on jazz at some point. Of course I know of the greats like Mingus, Davies, Coltrane and Sanders, but I've never really dove into their discographies, having only heard single records from them. Thelonious Monk is one of these great Jazz men I've completely ignored, sticking to my safe and accessible fusion records instead. And while that's all and good, it turns out that when you're reviewing a jazz record it's pretty handy to know a thing or two about the thing you're reviewing. With the disclaimer that I'm completely uneducated when it comes to the genre I'm still hoping to provide something of value with my first time reaction to this. Going into this with no expectations what so ever, and hoping it provides me with some memorable moments that make me want to explore this genre further. Brilliant Corners It sounds complicated as all hell. The bass and piano feel very in line with each other, while the sax is almost standing in opposition to them. The piano feels very deliberate and melodic. I enjoyed that, sounds spacey. The composition respects each individual musician giving them plenty of spotlight both solo and as a unit. Good. 4/5 Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are I can see why people say the "Cruella de Vil" song is similar to this. The opening melody bears a lot of resemblance to it. Has a sophisticated aura about it, I think it has a lot to do with how the piano notes are parsed out throughout the sax part. Love how the opening motif subtly comes through occasionally with the piano part. Feels like I'd have a better time with this if I understood the technical and theoretical aspects of this better. I can tell a lot is going on that I'm not equipped to understand. The bass solo is pretty cool. Difficult to comment on, on one hand I really liked the main motif, and I found the sections where the musicians worked in unison to be pretty entertaining. On the other hand the solos were a big question mark for me, because I don't understand the intricasies of what was going on I sadly ended up being pretty bored by them. It is in no means actually boring I'm sure, I simply don't get it. Fine. 3/5 Pannonica Sounds like a messed up music box to start. Sleepy tempo. Love the little musical "cuts" for a lack of better term. Love how cute and pleasant the celesta sounds. TIL that is an instrument that exists. That felt pretty accesible and sweet. I really like the main tenor sax melody here, feels really classic. Decent. 3.5/5 I Surrender Dear Has a sadness to it, feels moody and deep. Really enjoy the sparseness of the track. Feels quite dense, despite only featuring Monk and his piano. Decent. 3.5/5 Bemsha Swing I like the shift in tempo and energy from the previous two tracks. The percussion here is really fun. Kinda melds into the background after a bit. I fail to find anything to notable about it. Fine. 3/5 A worthwile listen for sure, but I don't feel like I got as much out of it as I hoped I would. In all fairness I think the musicianship on this thing is absolutely stellar, even an untrained ear can hear the complexity of the compositions and the insane technicality of the performances. However I know next to nothing about jazz, so while I can appreciate the talent I have no idea what is going on. While the stereotype says you must "feel the jazz" that only works on a surface level. A singular groove or a motif might stay in your head for a while, the intricacies however can easily be lost. Sadly I felt lost a lot, and when I'm lost the music sort of melds into the background, becoming mere noise. I'm however extremely happy this was the album I rolled to day, as it's challenging nature made me feel stimulated trying to pierce it together. I'd love to revisit this someday with more educated ears to see wether my tastes have changed. Based completely on a surface level first reaction I'm giving this 3.5 stars out of 5, though for the site's limited rating system's sake it's closer to a 3 than it is to a 4. Fave track. Brilliant Corners
Good jazz, I liked the sax. But a bit too sleepy for my state of mind
I like how you can mentally fall in and out of this kind of jazz. I don’t know if it’s me or what the artist intended, but I partially engage with it until a chord or melody draws me back in. It’s a more rhythmic way to listen to music than how I frequently do.
My problem with jazz is that I feel like I need both a music and history degree to understand it.
As far as Jazz goes, it goes without saying that unless it is along the lines of "In A Sentimental Mood" or "Blue In Green" then it will likely not be my preferred style of music. There was definitely a sense of direction to the chaos which lacked on Coltrane's album and thus made this slightly more palletable and thus earning a hard 3.
Good improv on the album. Solid overall, a lot of Thelonious Monk music is more original and intricate/complex. The album felt fine but I didn't fall in love with it and wouldn't have it on repeat if I was in the mood to listen to a jazz playlist.
Feels like I need a PhD in Musicology to appreciate this. I enjoyed it but wouldn't seek it out again. 3/5.
Cover song is most played, classic Monk in these tunes.
Interesting listen. Enjoyed this one. Lot less dated than other jazz listens so far. Highlights: None
At times it swings too far into a few unsatisfying and unorthodox places but overall I enjoyed the quirkiness. It’s easier to get into the swing of things when you listen to it as purely a performance rather than looking for a traditional song format or structure. It’s play.
Definitely a lot more experimental than some of the other jazz on this list. It was fun to see the inspiration for the song "Cruella de Vil" from 101 Dalmatians in "Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are". I wasn't as impressed with the instrumentation with this album. Decent album and I appreciate it as a piece of art, but it's not something I see myself listening to again.
Not that interesting, and at times the band didn't even sound locked in. Also, god forbid saxophonists make pleasing sounds come out of their instruments every once in a while.
Classic jazz album. Didn't really listen listen to it, but it was aight.
hmm no likey
Good background music for a rainy Saturday night.
Pretty nice Jazz - could do with a bit more groove for my tastes but perfectly listenable.
Pretty good, not a Jazz enthusiast, but I can appreciate how much effort went into this album and the songs have their own themes and composition.
V pohode jazzicek na pozadi.
Yeah I dunno it's a jazz album - this shit all sounds the same to me.
Reminds me of the talented Carl Fletcher!
Good, not ground breaking. Enjoyed it enough to not turn it off.
It was great at one time. Sounds dated.
A really enjoyable Hard Bop record that stands out in a field of standouts.
It’s Thelonious Monk, but it’s also Rollins, Henry, Terry and Roach that bring the vision to life. If you like jazz, you will love this. If you hate jazz, buckle up for the jazziest jazz record out there. This is a treasure of an album, songs played by the absolute best at what they do.
likey likey
Helt ok jazz, men inget som fångade mig
Album very Jazz. Contains much sound. It is rated. I respect how the other members play well with this pianist.
Even when it's good, instrumental jazz just bores me to death.
Couldn’t quite get there, but the melody that reprises is interesting. Feels winsome and then just a bit off with the final harmony so close. There’s a cinematic/storytelling shorthand that uses jazz or the jazz fan identity to signal that the (usually white, male) character is serious, consumed by dark thoughts, has seen the truth of the world and is shaken by it, usually cursed to have an occupation fighting for justice. Their solace is in vinyl, their intelligence demonstrated by knowing which sideman filled in for the session that one day, their taste by preferring that unknown and forgotten player to the bigger name. Meanwhile, like most, Monk was grinding away at making difficult (to play) music, but not for sombre audiences to stare into their drinks while their forgetting to ash a cigarette.
I took a jazz history class in college and remember how much the music benefited from having someone versed in the genre explain to you what was going where and why. That was a great class, it made me feel really smart. But I don't think I'm smart really, because basically my taste in and opinions on jazz range from "my type" to "not my type." This is sort of my type, but I found it kind of washed over me? I listened 6 times and kept waiting for something about it to hold my attention. There are jazz records that can, but this one just didn't. Kind of a pleasant wallpaper? I don't know. I liked I Surrender Dear best, maybe because it had the easiest melody and was less fussy than the rest, since it's just Monk and not all the other players. I don't know. I should go back to college.
idk what the deal is here this feels like nothing
This is, without question, a masterpiece. But for me? I feel like Emperor Joseph II watching Mozart in the 1984 classic, Amadeus: "Too many notes!" I respect it, I do—it’s genius at work. But I’m over here clapping on the wrong beat, nodding like I get it, and secretly wondering if Monk’s piano is mad at me.
Very comfy. Feels timeless, and I can easily relax to this.
Brilliant! I will definitely listen to this one again.
I'm sure this is top notch to all enthusiasts
Honestly really nice I loved the instrumentals and beat
A bit anonymous
Classic Thelonius Monk
His third album..A jazz jam session of sorts. Five tracks for 43mins. If jazz is your thing this is a seminal album. It's still a good listen anyway. Great musicianship. Enjoyable.
I Surrender, Dear. This album and its Brilliant Corners have me in awe.
Another solid album where nothing's really standing out to me... though not exactly my flavor of jazz either.
Challenging, gripping, I listened to this while making loaded potatoes and spent the entire time bopping. I can immediately understand why this isn't everyone's cup of tea but I loved it
Great album, love this kind of sound, it's just not the absolute best I've heard in this style. I like some of Thelonious' later work more. EDITGreat album, love this kind of sound, it's just not the absolute best I've heard in this style. I like some of Thelonious' later work more. EDIT: Its health is... improving.
This would probably be cool at a nighttime jazz club or bar. I probably shouldn’t have listened at 1am when I was half asleep. Edit nearly a year later: Can confirm, shouldn't have listened while half asleep. Bumping up to a 3
👋 Jazz 👋 This whole album feels heavy in experimentation - no minute goes by without a total switchup in the song structure. Maybe this is the zoomer in me, or maybe it's just a style of jazz I'm not used to, but as an album experience it felt absolutely disorienting. With so many different ideas every second, though, you do end up with a lot of very cool individual moments. Standout track was Bemsha Swing Edit: Nearly a year later, I have found myself smoking the shit that made the Monk Lonious. It's a very rewarding listen if one can get through the chaos! Bumped from 2 stars to 4 stars.
I honestly do not have much to say about this one. It was fine. It didn't really leave an impression on me in any way.
Terrific album cover. Favorite track: Pannonica 3.5/5
3- Stars (7/15)
Cooooool daddy-oh.
Not into jazz
Not on Amazon
Mmm... Excellent. 4/5.
This was good fun.
Such a unique style of playing. So "ugly" in a sense... Still, there's something about it that captivates you, even if it may be "simple" or even silly at times. Glad I finally got around to hearing some Monk
Nice to hear some jazz. I enjoyed it but it didn't blow me away, not the biggest fan of thelonius, a little too much dissonance sometimes
Classic album.
Things are happening in my brain.
Stars to recognise the quality of his musicianship but this style of music doesn't do it for me.
an interesting jazz album. very classic sound for sure. Would I listen again: Probably Deserves to be on this list: Yes 4.0
Too-too-tooo-tooom / 10
Holy smokes, no wonder it took so many takes to get that first track. There's so much going on, and those rhythm changes are wild. You've got some incredible personnel on this besides monk. Rollins is a monster on the sax. And I love Maximum Roach's drumming. He's right up there with Blakey and Rich for me. I've never heard this album before, but it's definitely going to enter my rotation. It's easy listening but also has some progressive elements found in later 60s post bop than what was typical of 50s jazz. I could play this at home without and get my jazz fix without getting too many raised eyebrows.
I don't have the right knowledge to appreciate this kind of music. It sounds like music to me. It's fine.
Really bored mostly goes on too long and doesn’t change much, it’s really cool from a technical standpoint but not something I’d ever want to like “listen” to. It would be really good background music but for actually listening I found it very boring. I did somewhat enjoy “Pannonica” and “I Surrender, Dear” so it wasn’t a total wash but definitely not something I will probably ever return to. Unless at some point in the future I get into jazz which at this moment I find unlikely.
Jeh - mal öppis anders. Schön, harmonisch, ziitlos. Nüd für 24/7, gfallt mer aber.
monk isch amel so extra sloppy huuere geil. finds en uhuere geils stuck s erste. es entscheidt sich nie würkli wo ane aber blibt irgendwie ide gliche stimmig immer. balue bolivar? balues are?? hä. sehr sehr cool. es isch easy frei irgendwie für 57? ok es isch schono hard boppig. i surrender dear huuere schö nur klavier er groovt wie sau. bis chli passiv am gnüsse.
brilliant corners of olimpico fame?? das isch HARD BOP??? mega fun ja also ich han wenig dezue z sege. finds bis jz sehrsehr schöni musig und ich meine es 68 jahr alt, das isch schono crazy ehmm jaa smooth und schön aber halt für mich nüt uuunglaublichs. drei
Pefect jazzy background to work to. Helps that I also love jazz.
On 4/14/46 Mel Ott hit home run number 511, the final one of his career.
Smoove
Hard to rate jazz albums, always good but don’t know enough to really differentiate them. Good listen though.
I started this project because I was in a bit of a musical rut (my Spotify Wrapped felt like an intervention) and wanted to expand my horizons. And so far it's working, because I'm enjoying the jazz albums a lot more than I thought I would. I really liked this.
I don’t hate jazz but I can’t say I enjoyed this. Maybe technically marvelous to those who are interested but to a casual listener, I didn’t perceive much range in tone or emotion. It felt samey throughout.
I enjoyed it as a very very amateur listener of jazz
I have heard of Thelonious Monk before, but I could not have told you who or what that was before. Good to know now. It is average (to my ears) jazz music, OK for my morning commute to work.
Kjedelig dessverre (for noen som ikke er spess glad i jazz..)
A cornerstone record in any jazz collection.
Vibey
Wijs album. Ideale timing, want ik ben wat in m'n jazz-periode for some reason. 3.8
It was an easy listen, I was vibing throughout
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.
It's jazz.
A spectacular album, by a stellar line-up of musicians.
So I don't really "get" jazz, in the sense that I find it harder to connect to than say rock or pop music. I guess that makes me unsophisticated, which I'm at peace with. Having said that, this was quite nice to have on in the background while working. It was different enough from what I would usually listen to to be interesting, but not so much that it was cacophonous or jarring. Some bits were foot-tap inducing, which is always a good thing in my opinion. I feel like extended drum solos are pretty cool and should catch on more outside jazz Final thought: This guy's actual birth name is Thelonius Sphere Monk? Come on! How cool is that. Destined for greatness
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.
It’s Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins bouncing off eachother, what’s not to love? Some superb dark jazz throughout this album and a beautiful solo piece by Monk towards the end. It wasn’t one I had heard before but it’ll definitely be going into my rotation now.
Definitely a cool jazz record but Theolonious has not hit me the same as his other contemporaries of equal legend/myth. One day one of his songs/records will get me and I'll feel the vibe and understand the brilliance (no pun) but otherwise it's definitely just a nice jazz record.
pyöreyttä, ei brilliantteja kulmia.
Honestly a lovely jazzy time. Good vibes
Classic Monk off-kilter jazz with some pleasantly spicy instrumentation. at times I'd feel like the album is poking fun at me.
Excellent Perfect Beautiful
Jazz at its best.
Sorry but I just cant stand this. 2 stars because I am sure these are excellent musicians and this is exceedingly difficult and maybe groundbreaking. But I find it unlistenable noise
Brillant!
i like that I Surrender, Dear is more piano based and has very little background instruments. pretty good music for a jazz club. maybe not my jam but i can appreciated it!
An absolute horror to listen to; had a completely inhuman experience listening to this on Spotify. By the third track I had a hard time catching my breath
I was not expecting fully instrumental so soon, but this was nice to listen to. Not much more than that, for me. Sounds like a soundtrack to a coffeeshop though, which was enjoyable to have on in the background while doing other things.
Very Jazzy, but also not really my thing. Am I uncultured? Should I feel ashamed of myself? Maybe I should give this another go at an older age when i can appreciate the sophisticated things in life. I need to be in my own private reading room by the fireplace, wearing only my bathrob, and a glass of whiskey in my hand, as I immerse myself in the music while going through my weekly existential crisis. 2/5
Yeah I probably won't listen to it again. But, jazz
Very good- It almost made spreading mulch in 47 degree temps enjoyable
The title track was so difficult it had to be stitched together from multiple takes like jazz Frankenstein. Pleasant, intricate, and elusive — I enjoyed it twice, but nothing ever tapped me on the shoulder.
So damn good
Creative Bops
Challenging to the listener
This album ruined my morning. Really boring and made me want to go back to my warm bed.
Sounds like a billiards expert to me.
It's standard jazz. Good background music.
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
This one was a little weird. Not my fave when it comes to jazz. Sounded nothing like Monsters Inc.
Not a jazz guy but I didn’t mind this. Not something I’d listen to all the time but might be good for background music.
i enjoy jazz music :)
It was ok. I think I prefer jazz from a little bit later
Too jazzy
That opening track starts a little too jazz for me. But the rest of this was super fun. I may buy this on vinyl if I come across it.
musically interesting, at least it has an amount of complexity but ultimately fails to appeal in any other way then remaining novel.
Good jazz. Stand-out: Bemsha Swing
Not a fan of this subgenre of jazz. It’s like listening to a hangover.
Jazz! Not much for me to add here Best Song: Brilliant Corners Rating: 6/10 Adequate Stars: 3/10
High quality noodling
I could cry this is perfect
I'm glad jazz is for someone, but it's not for me. This album just made me anxious.
Brilliant Corners 3.8 Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are 3.7 Pannonica 3.4 I Surrender, Dear 3.3 Bemsha Swing 3.5 Score: 3.54
A delight.
It's good, but at times it sounds like they're trying to be different for the sake of being different. Favorite song: Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-lues-are
I can’t say I can distinguish great jazz from ok jazz, but I do feel classy listening to it.
Getting hit with some jazz records early in this challenge. Enjoyable background music, but I struggle to stay focused on record, and feels more like the type of thing that would be so much more powerful and engaging live. This is just me, struggling to connect with jazz as a genre. Great name though!
Adventures in listening.
I really enjoyed this album
It’s undeniably good. But you need to be in the mood.
Before I got this album I thought Thelonious Monk was the name of a 70s prog band. I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong, because this was much better than more 70s prog.
Too jazzy? A little too jazzy. Couldn’t get into this one.
Love this guy.
Miellyttävää. Mutta vain jazzia.
Kuulin viimeisessä kappaleessa toistoa ja kiinnostuin hetkeksi. Eikö toisto olekin puhtaan eron välttämätön ehto?
Thelonious Monk is held in such high regard amongst jazz players, that its feels wrong to say anything less than praising him for his contributions. Sadly, I just wasn't impressed. Not that I disliked it, but there's nothing about it that truly stands out.
I liked it. I really wanted to love it though Too much of it faded on me
Very much enjoyed.
Cool but the songs are kind of long
Super smooth jazzy grooves.
Nice - blends into the background if you want, but if you pay attention there's all sorts of weird stuff going on! Fave tracks - hmmm, sections of "Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are" were great. "I Surrender, Dear" was very chill, too. This is more of a whole album deal, though...
Love thelonious, there a lot of quotes in here or maybe a lot of melodies quote this album idk. overall awesome
Nice jazzy record
Damn cool, this one.
It was nice, for jazz
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.
Great bop album by Monk. Like all of his records this has this slightly weird, hard-hitting piano playing. Good stuff!
Quirky "little" jazz album with quite a lot of good sounds. Not my favorite from the Monk, but still an essential in his discography.
Enjoyable hard bop record for sure, but I can't say it's a standout of the genre to me. It sounds like a bridge between easy listening jazz and more hard hitting stuff.
Monk’s style can be a bit polarizing, compared to more fluid or melodic jazz pianists like Bill Evans or Dave Brubeck. The rhythmic unpredictability gives it a uniqueness for sure.
Amazing
Good background music
Pleasant
Nice vibes for a fall morning
Go off, Max Roach. Loved “Pannonia,” also “I Surrender Dear” with just Monk on piano…lovely
I don’t know jazz well enough to be able to tell if this is any good or not. Therefore I can only really judge it in whether I liked it or lot. And I didn’t.
Jazz, or endless, self-indulgent, boring, obnoxious, noodling as I like to call it.
So, it turns out that Arsenal (23/24), West Brom (16/17) and Oldham (92/93) all scored 16 goals from brilliant corners in a season. A joint Premier League record. Which is just slightly more interesting to hear than this album.
Better jazz than most, it's fatal flaw is that it's jazz
While Monk has never been my favorite jazz pianist, this was a solid album with some fantastic horn work from Rollins
Get jazz album. Listen to it multiple times
Are we going to get a decent jazz album at any point
I always love a good Thelonious Monk record. And though this isn't really my favorite of his, I still like it a lot but I would recommend a few of his records over this one; Straight No Chaser and Misterioso are probably my favorites from him. Also the records he made with John Coltrane are amazing as well. This one - it's still fantastic. Solid 4/4.
Not for me
I'm glad this list is introducing me to more jazz. This was a fun listen. It reminded me of Herbie Hancock.
nice a jazz album, while listening to these albums I try to look them up and get to know what they are about. apparently this is a landmark album not only for Thelonious Monk but for jazz in general. Stocked about this because I wanna deep dive into some jazz
forica, tip je one man band
always love some jazz. wasn't quite as interested in this one with mostly piano, but still solid
Not what i was in the mood for
I really wish they didn't put jazz on this list. Yes, it's an album but I can't rate it the same way I'd rate a rock or pop album. Musicianship is solid, rhythm is complex, and if I was in the right mood and wanted to zone out for an hour I might love it. But I didn't have the time today and found listening to be a chore. Which is a shame. I'll give it a 4, but really needs an N/A
Great album to listen to while doing things. Couldn’t just sit and listen though.
3.5
This is my second jazz album so far (out of three total), and I actually like jazz. It seems that you can hyper focus on the music's intricacies, or just put it on in the background. Enjoyable musical experience, but as an album I would consider it 3.5/5 stars
THELONIOUS MONK THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!!!!!!!!!!
Nope
Great album by Monk. Love how the sax/piano play off one another in a harmonic and adversarial way.
Enjoyed. the album, even though it was a bit too modern for my tastes. May listen again, if I’m stuck in a room with a Apple Music subscription and nothing else
Fun jazz record
I found this album disappointing. The instrumentation felt off and poorly balanced at times, and the horns and piano struck a harsh and almost discordant tone at times which made sections of the songs very unappealing. There's still a decent jazz album here, but I was very underwhelmed overall. Top tracks: Pannonica; I Surrender, Dear
New genre for me. It was pleasant to listen to, but I also thought it was a little bit chaotic at times in a way? Idk maybe that’s just how jazz is. It was fine as background music but I couldn’t really actively listen to it I think
Fun easy listening
Not my favorite. Some good moments in certain songs but overall not my vibe.
Brilliant. Not as spare as most Monk, but that's Sonny Rollins for you.
The Monk, één van m'n - of misschien wel dé - favoriete jazz-muzikanten over de jaren. En alhoewel ik meer van zijn 60s solo pianowerk ben, is deze meer 'Big Band' structuur ook alleraardigst. Je merkt al wel aan de melodieën van zijn composities dat hij in de hierop volgende jaren zou uitgroeien tot de pianist met misschien wel de meest eigenzinnige en iconische stijl. Bij één vinger op het ivoor van z'n piano weet je al dat het Thelonious is. Maar het houdt nog wel erg vast aan de hard bop traditie van de 70s. 'Pannonica' is eigenlijk de enige markante song, die blijft hangen zoals een Monk track dat zo vaak doet. De rest zijn jazz staples geworden, en uiteraard van hoge kwaliteit. Toch zou ik ''Brilliant Corners'' niet perse benoemen bij zijn beste werk, maar wellicht wel zijn beste groeps-effort. Sonny Rollins en Max Roach leveren altijd. Vooral de drums stelen de show op deze plaat. Maarja, nu doe ik net alsof ik echt iets van jazz afweet. 7/10 Highlights: Brilliant Corners Pannonica
Movie-jazz. Bestaat dat genre? Dat vind ik deze plaat. Het brengt je in een andere wereld en is heel toegankelijk. Perfect dus onder film-scenes. Ik vind dit een fijne jazzplaat. Doordat het met een band is gemaakt en lekker afwisselt. Niet het eindeloze improviseren of soleren wat sommige jazz albums wel hebben. Het bouwt op en af maar escaleert niet en is fijn melodieus. Maar ja. Nu doe ik net alsof ik iets van Jazz weet. 7/10 Highlights Pannonica
Kurz durchgeskippt - nicht unanhörbar, würde ich mir aber außerhalb dieser Liste nicht anhören
All of Monk's works are great. They feel, unlike many artists, like one giant album.
Brilliant horns, drums and corner guitars.
brilliant corners- 7 or 8 ba-lue bolivar ba-lues-are- 7 pannoica- 8 i surrender, dear- 6 bemsha swing- 8
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.
Really loved this, a great vibe. Pannonica sounded like it was riffing 'fly me to the moon' at one point - not sure if that was good or bad but took me out of it for a moment.
I’m fairly positive about this. I think it was better than my expectation.
Not for me
I'm just not sure how to rate this. I'm sure it's excellent but jazz just is not for me.
Enjoyed this a lot
Jazz ain't for me
This was great - just excellent vibes all the way through.
Yet again I realize jazz really just isn't my thing. I appreciate the ability and the intelligence. I just don't really LOVE it.
Brilliant stuff. Love the Monk, hadn't heard this one before. Man keeps it jazzy and inventive whilst barely ever being irritating.
Не моё.
Not bad but far from the most impressive thing Monk has done.
Норм. Лучшая песня - Bemsha Swing.
2.5/5
Definitivamente tengo que mejorar mi sensibilidad jazzística, si es que esa palabra existe. Como en casi cada álbum de jazz que el generador me sugiere, aprecio su tecnicalidad, pero me acabo cansando de él. De todas formas, me ha gustado mucho su innovación rítmica, tiene algo muy especial. Excelente álbum, solo necesito un poco más de cultura musical para apreciarlo completamente.
Le he dado dos escuchas y me ha gustado, jazz chulo. Tampoco le saco nada más pero ha sido entretenido. Canción destacada: Bemsha Swing
Strong performances, but the compositions aren't really my thing
I remember this had fairly heavy rotation when my 2 year old pals were over to play trucks and Legos… I tend to prefer Monk’s solo piano work, but this is still pretty good.
This was ok
Found this more challenging than some of the jazz I've instinctively loved. I know there's a lot going on that I don't know enough about to even hear. But until I get a PhD in musicology, will just have to say I liked and admired it, for what that's worth.
chill as fuck until they swap time signature every 10 seconds
Wider biz ah mir verbijazzed, obwohls doch no paar gueti passage gha het, hani ned die voll ufmerksamkeit chöne geh
Ich glaub ich muss es ihgseh. Musik vor 1967 (shutout as geburtsjahr vu mim mami - wohlgemerkt mis lieblingsmami - ) isch nüd für de Neduzen und sini zierliche öhrli. Das hed mir wieder nöd gfalle und darum bini uf em ne unter 3 sternli streak. 2-1-2. mal luege wies witergad. Demfall na danke mami das sit dinnere geburt, musik für mich gniessbar wurde isch. Danke giele fürs zuelose au wenni i dem review sogar e klammere und e gedankestrich drine verwendet ha. Han euch lieb & grüssli
per wikipedia nennt sich das genre "hard bop" ich weiss nöd was die sust für musig gloset hend wenn die das damals als hard beschribe hend aber sicher isch dasmer en zitreisenede us 1950 unter keine umständ sött is elysia mitneh am wuchenend well de sust no en herzchasper bechunt vo dene ganze kläng ich glaubs damals hends so sache gloset wie "wasser tropft auf stein" oder "mann fällt betrunken vom stuhl" wobi letschteres scho fast chli zu wild isch für die zit anyways hett sich das album eigentlich no smooth ih mini morge work session ihgschliche und sich dezent im hintergrund ghalte gspeicheret isch nüt worde aber es isch au nöd so schlecht wies letschte gugge album drum gits 2.5 prayers vom the "lonious" monk und em St. Basilius "Vasily" the blessed (aka "holy fool" - look it up)
Not optimistic. Next time somebody says “Oh I listen to everything.” I’ll ask them if they enjoy Thelonious Monk. I just don’t get Jazz and that’s probably saved me a lot of money. This is pleasant to listen to and inoffensive.
Guter Jazz aber hat mich nich mega krass gecatcht irgendwie, weiß auch nich warum
Genius :) love it
A bit more jazz than I maybe like my jazz
Third jazz album. Still don’t like jazz.
Ugh... MORE jazz... I'm sure for what this is, it's wonderful... For me, however, it's just discordant background noise...
I don’t think Jazz is for me. Given it enough tries now to say this with confidence. I’d be cool with never hearing a trumpet ever again. I don’t even know if a trumpet was featured in this album though… There was definitely a horn of some sort featured in this… I’d be cool with blocking all horns from music now on.
9/10. Great album all the way through. Added 3 songs to the playlist.
Nice background music, still can't fully pay attention to jazz
This is a good jazz album. It establishes themes and mood well, and the instrumentation is great. Would definitely listen again.
2.5/10
Discordant noise
Best Song: Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are. I lack the vocabulary to describe why I found this nice. Worst Song: I Surrender, Dear. The piano alone make this track feel too empty relative to the rest of the album. Overall: Pleasant, unassuming jazz for the background. Not particularly exciting, bordering on too sleepy. Fine music for reading.
opening track is phenomenally dynamic, many interesting structural flourishes that I am unqualified to really decipher beyond intuitive/visceral appreciation. the piano-playing seems the engine driving the compositions. the proceeding three tracks, while pleasant in their own way, not nearly as memorable. closing track reanimates some of the opening track's virtuosity. sidenote: thelonious monk is an elite name to have by birth, big win for nominative determinism; i don't see a world in which someone named "thelonious monk" is an accountant content working a drab 9-5.
pleasant but i was sliiiightly bored.
Decent 4 for me. I enjoy it more so because of how influential things came out of it, rather than the music itself which I feel drags on too long sometimes and is a bit too straight.
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?)
Pretty gud
Actually been listening to this and Straight No Chaser a lot this week. TM is so great at making a broken melody sound complete
Not a big jazz listener. I really liked this album!
Jazz is not my cup of tea..still isn't...even "worse" than the previous experience...It's my problem, not the artist/album...I am used to structured music, on the beat...all things this album is not...
Incredible album by one of the greats of jazz. I don't know a lot about jazz, I like some and find some unbearable. Do I know anything about Monk's playing style? He plays piano, otherwise nope. Do I know what type of jazz this is? Kinda be-bop maybe? What I do know is I enjoyed listening to this album.
Really enjoyed this. There was some absolutely insane compositions here especially on the Tenor.
Kinda boring
Very enjoyable jazz album
I always enjoy some jazz and this was no exception.
More like Boreloniois Stunk
Fine. K. More 50’s piano quartets.
Sultry, smooth and easy. Thelonious is always a pleasure to listen to and captivates the true essence of jazz. Great vibes all around on this one.
Pretty good
It’s filled with walking bass lines that provide structure, and Monk’s playing has a clean textural clarity to it that is appealing.
Not my usual music choice to listen to but absolutely loved it
I feel like a terrible person for not enjoying this, but jazz is usually not something I enjoy. After a while, the constantly changing syncopation starts to drive me nuts, almost like nails on a chalkboard. It's not you; it's me. It's definitely me.
Highlights: Brilliant Corners, Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are. In a nutshell: five challenging compositions. Monk. One of the biggies of bebop and jazz in a studio with the best in the biz at the time: Max Roach, Ernie Henry and Sonny Rollins on sax and Oscar Pennington on bass. They made magic here. Wasn't into the xylophone sounding celesta on Pannonica (sounds childish instead of quaint). Didn't know about Max Roach before today and damn, he is sensational on the drums here! Jazz has the reputation of being boring, same sounding. What I've learned with albums that are potentially disengaging is to focus on the parts that make the whole. Do you like drums, horns, piano, the beat, bass when listening to music in general? Concentrate on those instruments or components and see where the album takes you. No guitars and no lyrics doesn't necessarily mean it sounds like shit. I sound like a hypocrite based on previous reviews but my point still stands. Overall: 8/10
I think I'd rather listen to Coltrane or Davis. I'm not sure why, I didn't really dislike it, I just didn't groove with it.
Sure is jazz!
I like jazz with vocals more
Feels like an album that I'd appreciate more if I understood music theory better. ..but as the message is that which remains from the sending to the receiving...
quintessential jazz for someone who enjoys the genre but has very little knowledge of the intricacies
I enjoyed this a fair bit. Some great drumming on here from Max Roach.
At first I was like... Oh hell no... Then as it kept playing... I felt so fancy! Like I was at a cocktail party with Homer Simpson. Or trapped in a loft with Mr Big. Less fancy. Songs very long. I did get a little sick of it...
Not my favorite style, but a seriously talented musician
Beautiful record. The highlight for me is I Surrender, Dear; a sad and gorgeous masterpiece that serves as a calming point before the swinging closer.
how do you play a piano like that