Reviews (page 8 of 13)
Didn't really get it.
They sound really loose, like they're enjoying it I know many jazz performances of this time were pretty heavily rehearsed-- I wonder how much they enjoyed this?
muy prodigioso, pero no lo volvería a escuchar
Interesting
I liked this one. Brilliant Corners and Pannonica were the two highlights. Wish I understood jazz a bit more to classify it a little further than “I liked it” but alas
It’s probably my uncultured ear, but this was a more than pleasant jazz album. Can tell there is talent, great arrangement and thought but just not knocked off my feet and also hard to distinguish sometimes. Hadn’t realised it had looped back to the start of the album and that pretty much sums it up for me. My bad, but just my experience! (3.5)
2.5
great instrumental music
Couldn’t listen to this today some days I jus can’t hack Jazz
"40 minutes for only 5 songs??????? oh nvm its jazz"
I'm not huge into Jazz but this was a good vibe album for a Sunday morning tea on the balcony.
I know Thelonious Monk was a really big deal in the jazz world, but I’d never given him much of a listen because I’m not much of a jazz guy. But, I like this record pretty good. The dude is crazy talented, even if I probably can’t appreciate all the complexity of what he’s actually doing. I probably won’t start listening to a ton of jazz after hearing this, but it’s pretty interesting. 3.5/5
it was ok. another jazz album in a row i'm gonna lose it tho
I like jazz. This is jazz alright. Jazz is good or bad and this is good. But I don’t jazz hard enough to distinguish good jazz from great jazz, other than me gravitating towards it for reasons unknown.
Some nice jazz that I really enjoyed. It's mellow and has a nice beat. Not the experimental type jazz that is hard to tap your foot to. Seems like something good to put on when you are doing some kind of intellectual activity where you don't want vocals. Never heard this album before today but I will be listening to it again.
Not my style, but it was a good experiencie. Probably my first jazz album listened.
JAZZ.
2.5 rym
1st and last track kinda slap but rest is shapeless jazz noide
I want to enjoy Thelonious more, but I just couldn't vibe with this one.
Not a fan of most jazz. I audibly groaned when I saw the album choice for today. It grates on my every nerve, even after living with a jazz musician for a few years and trying very hard to learn to like it. Still didn't take, and ultimately neither did the relationship. But I know objectively that they're brilliant musicians so I'm just going to give it a safe 3.
The album cover is sorta neat. I didn't connect with the music that much Edit Apr 15 2026: 2 --> 3. I like jazz more now
jazzy. 3/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify on this one. I have a hard time figuring out when is the best time to listen to classic jazz like this, I found driving around at night when it's raining works well; however there is no rain in the forecast and the sun sets around 9, so I can not experience in this album the way I think I really need to. This album is a lot more accessible than some other jazz classics.
Excellent jazz album, good for studying.
Monk and Rollins know how to swing and groove in sync, though many of the extended improv journeys seem more for their own benefit than the listeners’.
I'm neither impressed nor unimpressed. This album is true neutral. 3/5
I dug Ba-Lue, I Surrender Dear, and Bemsha Swing. I appreciate the skill and musicianship, but it felt like work to get through the tracks Brilliant Corners and Pannonica.. there's so much tenor sax and it gets pretty harsh to the ear, that the piano solos feel like a reprieve. Also Max Roach is a goat.
3,5
Not usually a jazz fan but this had some relaxing tunes
Good album, enjoyed it but i feel like i only enjoy jazz so much
I’m not a huge fan of jazz, but this was an enjoyable album to listen to
Great little album
Very much not my genre, but I'm enjoying it. Pretty pushy. It feels unfair to call something so varied monotonous, but at the same time it feels so improvised and varied that it all flows back into itself and I cant really distinguish between the tracks.
Good disc 2 bad disc 1
Джаз - музыка толстых)
Loved the performances here - the piano stood out on this record. I feel like each track represents a different emotion or mood. Favourite Track(s): I Surrender, Dear, Bemsha Swing Least Favourite Track(s): Brilliant Corners
Cool Cat with more cool cats.
I'm sure it's great, but I don't really do jazz.
Just not a big jazz guy
feels like every 30 albums or so we've gotta slide in another instrumental jazz record to keep the cool cats contented. they're fungible to me; commodities. at least they're easy to rate.
Some of the oddest melodies I've heard lately on the title track. The rithem that keeps changing during the solos for sure makes it super hard to improvise on. But overall there's something compelling about it all. Bouncy track 2, fantastic drums by Max Roach. Monk's piano style is so unique. It always seems like his solos shouldn't work but they work so well. He's shining on this track. Great solo from Rollins on the tenor sax as well. Track 3 Nice and weird melody followed by a beautiful solo from Rollins. What a master player he is. I'm not sure the piano/Celeste combo is the best idea, but it gives another interesting sound to the record.. I think it's my favorite on this one so far. 4 is a great solo piano track that I liked a lot. Monk is a legend for a good reason. His piano style is futuristic and free yet very grounded in gospel, which gives it such a prestige sound. Track five is smooth and kind of classic. A decent closer for the record. Once again, Roach and sonny Rollins- amazing players. A very nice interesting record. Was a good listen overall yet not remarkable.
i'm not a huge classic jazz guy but i imagined being a bachelor in 1957 and putting this on as i sat down to read before getting ready to go out and holler at the broads at the juke joint and it truly made me feel something
idk what i was expecting when i opened this album... i was laughing cause the name made me think of the meme of black pet owners naming their pets insane names and thelonious is up there! anyway i love a jazzy moment so it was nice! not the best but nice!
Ikke brilliant, men absolutt lyttbart.
I never know what to listen for in instrumental music, so most jazz ends up being a fairly pleasant 45 minutes that leaves me with nothing to say. Unfortunately, this one is no exception, though maybe it's slightly better than the overall output of the Brilliant Corners, an 80s indiepop band who got their name from it?
It is always great when an artist is "allowed" to include his own compositions. Brilliant Corners is one such album and the title track doesn't disappoint with a variety of themes and solos that allow Sonny and others to shine.
Helt kurant. Som vanlig noen gode og noen litt tamme. Bosch-scenery.
Wonderful and pretentious jazz
I’m just not that into jazz. 3.5 stars
It’s fine but I got bored by the end
A good roundup of monk.
Respect for the album and artist. But not something I’d really listen to.
I have previously found Monks stuff a bit heavy going, I am a jazz listener, also a bit impenetrable at times, but this is actually quite listenable. I will play again in the future I’m sure.
Probably best with a cigarette and pensiveness.
Mostly just jazz that I cannot distinguish from other jazz but I thought that it was nice
Jazz
I personally don't think this gave me a clear emotional wow factor. There are sections that are technically brilliant, and the Piano / drums in particular seems to be being used to excellent effect. There are times (more often than not) that this seems more of a Jam session which to me means I lose the depth of the album and its wider connection to a theme or feeling. It's a bit like break dancing. They skat about on their heads and we are in awe of their moves and skill. However, after the 100th spin, twist and flip it just becomes a repeating theme. Just doesn't quite hit the mark for me despite its clear musical genius.
Another interesting jazz album where I fully appreciate the musical merit whilst also finding no visceral connection at all. I listened to this on a long car journey and it swiftly demoted itself to pleasant background music, I'm afraid.
Enjoyable, but didn’t fully grab me. Will try returning to it.
I listened to this like three times but it still just sounded like elevator music to me, well composed elevator music, but still, guess it's not my genre.
Not the most groundbreaking jazz to my ears, but sounded good.
Avantgarde/free jazz med en smule bebop indeover som Monk var med til at skabe fun fact. Fyldt med mærkelige takter og selv de bedste jazz musikere havde svært ved at følge med hvad monk ønskede sig i numrene. Intronumret fra rigtig rigtig svært at indspille og måtte ændres samtlige gange.
Easy listening ain't that easy to listen to for 45 minutes straight. It was relaxing, but not something I want to revisit anytime soon. Favorite Track: "Bemsha Swing".
I really enjoyed this, might be dipping my toe into jazz a little more after finding some like this that doesn’t make me feel like I have vertigo. Nice easy pleasant.
Classic jazz sound, nice listen, great players interesting songs
Nice.
Best song: Bemsha Swing Dislike song: Brilliant Corners Rate: 2,75⭐️
This is an album I’ve listened to before, and enjoy working to. My knowledge about jazz is pretty limited and I wish I had more historical or technical knowledge about this (I should really go back and finish Ken Burns’ Jazz). The piano on the opening track is interesting, like he’s hitting the wrong keys. But this record doesn’t have the abrasive edge of the Charles Mingus album we recently listened to (that I love). After the first couple tracks it settles into a more romantic mood. I would love to sit in a dark restaurant or bar listening to Pannonica.
That was pure Jazz. Great piano. Great Sax. Great drums. Went by in a bit of a warm blur. Sorta reminded me of the peanuts soundtrack in a good way. This album probably was an influence on the Vince Guaraldi trio (side note: Guaraldi had an incredible moustache and only paid the other 2 musicians $50-ish for their work on those iconic tracks. Great moustache... bad dude. I hope Thelonious Monk paid all the players on this album.).Anyways... i need more time with this to have more to say about it. I did enjoy it. But I can't give a specific reason why. I think i need to put together a playlist of all these great jazz records i've listened to as part of this challenge and revisit them later on when I have more time to dig into them. 3 stars.
In all honesty, I really don’t have too much to say about this album. I wasn’t a huge fan of it. I didn’t feel like I heard anything that I would latch onto or remember the next day. Heck, I don’t even have anything funny to say about it! That’s how little of an impression it left on me!. But, I can still say that Monk is a great pianist, and his band at least tried to put something good together. I’ll just say it wasn’t really my taste. I’m giving it a two, but I’ll say a high 2 because the musicianship is good. Maybe I’ll like the nexts jazz album I get. Edit: After thinking it over, I’ll give it a three, Thelonius don’t deserve a 2
TRUE....... i enjoyed it! the only song i didnt feel much for was bemsha swing. stuck between a 3 and 4 for me.
Enjoyable in parts. Monk was an inspiration to many jazz musicians who I like but sometimes his arrangements are a little bit showy and over complex
another Jazz album. I dont mind Jazz, but it cannot differentiate one album from the other. Bau-lue bolivar was good with some deep rich bass tones, but the rest was fine but nothing whelming me. some pretty average corners if you ask me. 3 stars
Good stuff.
Jazz, the sophisticated LoFi
Not really my cup of tea, but ok.
Monk really has his own style, it's like blues-jazz that's been played a bit sloppy or ever wrongly. Other players solo sections seem more traditional jazz. Unfortunately 50's recording equipment couldn't capture all the details and recording seems a bit harsh for me. It's good, but not my favorite jazz albums.
Some jazzy jazz
3.5
Decent Corners. Some nice angular, dextrous, distinctive piano runs plus the odd good jazz tune but the horns, brass or whatever are more often than not a bit pharpy and annoying.
It’s ok. Not really my preference of Jazz.
Buen album de jazz, pero ya es de 1957
”That fat-fingered fuck Thelonious really can’t play, can he?” - me ”He is a unique genious doing his thing with incredible complexity and dexterity” - people who actually know something about jazz
I liked it. I wish I was more into jazz than I am. Most of this just faded into the background, but it’s plenty enjoyable. You’ll probably like it way more if you’re smarter than me
Cool jazz, I think. Hard to tell, but hey that’s jazz
This is a weird one because it bounces back and forth between great dinner jazz (Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba Lues-Are, Bemsha Swing) and weird, slightly "sour" experimental stuff ( Brilliant Corners, Pannonica). And I both like and dislike the experimental stuff. Feel like I'm gonna settle on a 3, but its an interesting record.
Not my favorite Thelonious Monk album, but still a solid jazz classic.
I realized while listening to this that jazz is the original stoner music! Half joking, Jazz has a transformative quality that takes the listener to places and guides them through a journey of the band leader’s design. Thelonious Monk was frequently talked about in high school jazz band for his syncopation, which I am not sure Mr. Stevens did a great job explaining. As such, I can only judge this album on feeling, which Thelonious had plenty of. Key song for me was Ba-Lue-Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are, especially the bass solo and the drum solo, which you can hear the influence in the later recordings like Ginger Baker’s Toad. And of course, no jazz album is complete without a kick in’ Xylophone solo, provided by Pannonica. There is talent in this album I will never understand, but definitely respect and appreciate.
Random thoughts: * pleasant listen on my commute home. Definitely chilled me out despite the Denver traffic. * I’d heard of Thelonious Monk before but never listened knowingly before. This was some good classic jazz. * I’d definitely throw this on again some night for a chill night. * I’m not sure this is up there with Brubek or Miles Davis but it is good. Might take some time to grow on me.
Very solid album, but not my favorite type of jazz. It all sounds good, just gets a little repetitive in an album format. High 3.
No expertise on Jazz, no understanding of what is innovative or musically why it is what it is, have a small jazz collection of jazz very much based on what simply sounds good to me, think have Monks genius of modern music vol 1, not heard this before but yeah sounds good. 3 Star
3/5 generic jazz
good jazz type music
Not my style but a decent listen.
jazz place holder
Great music to code to. Love this vibe/instrument combination.
Good.
Very pleasant and set a good vibe, but I'm not a big enough jazz fan to find it particularly notable. Favorite song: Brilliant Corners
Норм джаз, хотя иногда слишком мудрёный
It's good but didn't feel like it
I think I can appreciate that this is "good", but I can't say I had a good time listening to it. I need my jazz with boundaries, dang it!
So... Ya like Jazz? Thelonius Monk's Brilliant Corners is the first Jazz album I have been served. I liked it! The whole thing felt like tumbling down a flight of stairs, bumping and running into things along the way. I probably wouldn't go out of my way to listen to this again, but I appreciate it for what it is.
Laid back relaxing effortless cool from one of the masters of jazz. As with most Jazz it would benefit from hearing it in the confines of a club but soothing nonetheless.
I mean, of course you have to have Thelonious Monk on this list. Jazz isn’t really my thing, but this was enjoyable and made great background music while I read. I’d give this 3.5 stars if I could because a 3 feels too low for this album, but I won’t listen to it enough to justify a 4. I’m rounding down, but it’s a high 3 for me and an album that definitely deserves to be on the list.
Not my kind of music, but of course interesting.
This is cool jazz - not smooth and never simple, not easy listening. I was in the mood for a challenge with this one and it delivered. Never going to be the biggest jazz fan but got my foot tapping and jazz hands flapping for this.
I just don't get jazz.
I am not a huge fan of jazz, but liked this
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
It’s jazz. Interesting but still jazz
Not bad
good stuff, but not for me
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.
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.
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.
Classic jazz album. Didn't really listen listen to it, but it was aight.
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.
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.
Helt ok jazz, men inget som fångade mig
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.
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.
I'm sure this is top notch to all enthusiasts
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.
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
Terrific album cover. Favorite track: Pannonica 3.5/5
3- Stars (7/15)
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
Stars to recognise the quality of his musicianship but this style of music doesn't do it for me.
Too-too-tooo-tooom / 10
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.
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
Smoove
Hard to rate jazz albums, always good but don’t know enough to really differentiate them. Good listen though.
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.
Vibey
It was an easy listen, I was vibing throughout
It's jazz.
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
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.
It's standard jazz. Good background music.
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 :)
musically interesting, at least it has an amount of complexity but ultimately fails to appeal in any other way then remaining novel.
Jazz! Not much for me to add here Best Song: Brilliant Corners Rating: 6/10 Adequate Stars: 3/10
High quality noodling
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!
It’s undeniably good. But you need to be in the mood.
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.
Cool but the songs are kind of long
Super smooth jazzy grooves.
Nice jazzy record
It was nice, for jazz
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.
Good background music
Pleasant
Get jazz album. Listen to it multiple times
I'm glad this list is introducing me to more jazz. This was a fun listen. It reminded me of Herbie Hancock.
always love some jazz. wasn't quite as interested in this one with mostly piano, but still solid
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
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
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
I’m fairly positive about this. I think it was better than my expectation.
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
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.
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
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.
chill as fuck until they swap time signature every 10 seconds
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
A bit more jazz than I maybe like my jazz
Nice background music, still can't fully pay attention to jazz
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.
pleasant but i was sliiiightly bored.
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
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
Typical Monk, not quite my taste.
As far as improv-style jazz goes, this would be my favorite of the ones I’ve heard so far on this list
good
I don’t hate jazz. I don’t love jazz. Wonderful for a long elevator ride.
Didn’t hit the spot I wanted it to honestly. Yes it was good, but it wasn’t what I wanted I guess. Not as memorable as I would’ve wanted.
Fun little Jazz album. Enjoyable and quick.
Jazz. Reminds me of whiplash
Good album!
I don’t have a ton to say about the details of this album, as it’s so far out of my depth. But I really enjoyed it and wish we had more unique instrumental genres to listen to. What I do know is that there seems to be some artistic liberty in the solos of different instruments peppered throughout this record (it’s jazz, so duh I shouldn’t be surprised by that. By 1957, was this a radical composition and performance? Surely to jazz heads at least, it must’ve been. My highlight here is probably the most notable mood switch on the album, Pannonica. Alternative name for this group: THEL and the MONKey homosapiens
There's some jazz I like, though I don't know why, so having a worthwhile opinion before "me likey" is a little rough here. I liked this enough to listen to it three times.
I don't know enough about jazz to evaluate this record. Not for me, though probably a great record.
I feel this album is more important than it is timeless. Definitely a good album and a milestone of the hard bop era but...just a good jazz album in 2025. Might have meant a lot more back then.
Overall: 5/10 First of all, I'd like to acknowledge the incredible talent that went into making this album. Evey musician here is clearly a master at what they do. With that being said, I find Jazz to be a tough genre to fully immerse myself into. Monk is obviously a class A pianist and there were moments here that I really enjoyed. I just couldn't find anything about this album that I could sink my teeth into. I would still recommend it to people who are already into Jazz cause it's certainly a rollercoaster of an album that's worth giving a shot. Fav Song: Pannonica Least Fav Song: Bemsha Swing
Not really my thing, but he was tickling the hell out of those ivories!
I don't know if I really appreciate jazz. Its good background music...
All good but found it a bit boring.
Listened to this to kick off my work day, had me feelin’ slightly more creative. I can acknowledge the brilliance but as a jazz noob not sure if I can fully appreciate it.
I swear these jazz albums prove how musically illiterate I can be. I can read sheet music thanks to years of playing trumpet in school, but I never got into stuff like music theory or how people create music. I just learned how to play it. So every time I got a jazz album, I try to engage with it in a meaningful way, only to get lost somewhere. Maybe it’s because the tracks tend to be longer than “normal” music and thus easier to get lost in the groove. I get that’s the point, but it’s not my preference. That leads me to this album. The first two tracks were a miss to me. The title track felt a little too…experimental. Like jazz is more free lance, but this felt weird. Then, Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are was way too long for what I felt was background noise. I feel that’s kind of the problem with jazz for me. It’s set it and forget it music. If I can’t get into it, it just sort of meanders around. Honestly, I felt the saving grace was the second side of the album. The tracks there were more catchy, especially Bemsha Swing, which can get stuck in your head. And I Surrender, Dear was a very nice, soft piano piece. I feel given there are 5 songs on this album, I’ll give a star for each song I liked, which amounts to three. Favorite track: I Surrender, Dear Other hits: Bemsha Swing, Pannonica
Great jazz album. Jazz isn’t my first pick, and it is definitely not my favorite genre. However I really enjoyed this album. It was really great music to get work done to. I only wish I could give it a score somewhere between a 3-4.
Feels like a background music type of album. That could be my poor and underdeveloped ear talking. I do not have enough time to go through every change and evaluate it. But I think this might be a, not too plain, plain music that you put to describe sth visual, or not to get distracted by the other thing that you are doing. Nothing wrong with that. This is the music that we hear in a jazz bar, late in the afternoon, early evening, that you are out with a loved one and you are planning the future lighthearted but with a clear vision in mind. The color red pops into my mind, roses and satin sheets. How marketing has influenced me huh! One thing, not that unexpected, yet impressive nonetheless, is that this entire thing is made on the spot, it is improvised. This is, I guess, the beauty behind this “album” if we can call it that. Props to Thelonious, he raised the bar on what improv can be! Plus one star just for that…
Jazz is...Jazz. I mean, it's chill, but you know Jazz tend to get boring after 30 minutes.
Solidly enjoyable. Seems ahead of its time but I don’t know enough jazz history to properly contextualize.
Now in my experience, I’m not a fan of jazz but I didn’t hate this so 3 stars
Frokost Jazz. Deg kan lige svinge sig op på hyggeligt baggrundsmuzak
3/1001 Nothing bad about this album, I’m just not the right audience. For me it’s a bit to experimental as one of my first forays into jazz, and tbh it’s a bit boring. I get why people might appreciate it though. Great musicianship, fantastic production and sound. Just not for me. 3/5
molto jaaazz
Pleasant enough driving around music, which is how I experienced it yesterday
Definitely not an album I would’ve sought out on my own, so grateful for the opportunity to be exposed to it. This is good music I can confidently say, but it’s just not my bag. Jazz like this is something I can listen to and appreciate it, like fine art, but there’s no real listenability factor for me so it’s not like I’m listening for pleasure. That said, this is very good jazz and I’m glad to have finally listened to a Thelonious Monk record. I’ve known the name for a long time, so it’s cool to have finally been able to indulge. I think my favorite song though was the one that reminded me of the tune for “Cruella De Vil” (“Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are”) so that probably tells you all you need to know about my musical tastes.
3 - jazzy
Thought I would be way more to into this, but really found it quite dull 2.6/5
I understand and appreciate that this is important music.
Enjoyable jazz album Standout song: I Surrender, Dear
6/10. Washed over me.
Not bad
Gracias, que no se repita
Pleasant jazz.
Seems like an excellent jazz album, just not quite my style.
Wasn’t expecting to hear
Yes enjoyed this album
Can’t imagine a time when I would be in the mood to listen to this so I’m gonna skip it and say 3 stars
Jazz. Jazz, jazz. Jazz. Jazz.
really great album not really my type of music but very calming
Enjoyable jazzin'
I need to be in a dimly lit, smoky bar to properly enjoy this.
Pretty standard jazz
It was jazzy softy cuqui, perfect for some old classic late night cooking, am ir right?
Good. Satisfying, but nothing on here grabbed me enough to seek it out for additional listens in future.
Great jazz album, just not my speed.
I have been into the old school jazz lately but funny thing how this works... the more albums and artists I am introduced to, the less everything is just master class and amazing. Some stuff still is and will be, but I have become more picky in a way. I thought, for instance, that this was pretty good but not so strong as some things from the time. I think what I mean is jazz from the late 50's is ALL good! But there still is and always will be a pecking order of sorts, and for me, in this case, yeah, this album is OK.
Jazz! Excelente! Surreal que isso é da década de 50!
Truly top notch jazz. Monk's mastery of the piano shines here. Truly love this, but it's almost impossible to bump me up to four stars without lyrics.
Well, this was jazz. I don't love instrumental music most of the time, so this gets a maximum of 3 stars already, but he did keep it interesting!
I was concerned since I’m not normally a jazz girl but I liked this more than most! Surprised!
I didn't connect with this album. I didn't love side one - both the title track and Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are felt just a bit too stilted, abrupt, or liked it was lurching. I enjoyed side two more, a little smoother or more melodic. Particularly I Surrender Dear and Pannonica, although their intros were perhaps too similar. I'm sorry jazz lovers, I still don't get it.
Slightly more interesting than most of the jazz music we've listened to so far.
Bueno
great sound
Best jazz so far.
Yep, I've done the research and this is definitely jazz. I don't even know what to say here. It's fine, I guess. It's not unpleasant.
It's jazz. I don't have any special feelings towards the genre.
That was certainly jazz
Not for me personally, but I can appreciate it
3/5
I liked the cruella deville song!
Awesome
Not my typical cup of tea and if I did not know any better, I would say it sounds like any old modern jazz. On second listen, I started to hear runs that sounded familiar from Jeff Beck and Steely Dan songs and everything started to click. Brilliant Corners and Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are were not easy for me to listen to, but Pannonica and I Surrender Dear resonated with me much more.
5/10…Jazz, für 1957 sicherlich was besonderes…
A classic jazz album. Plenty of double bass, piano, Trumpet etc. Don't know a lot about the genre of jazz music. I know there are various types of it. This to me was what I would describe as classic jazz if there is such a thing. Enjoyed listening but bit repetitive.
Love Jazz and Thelonius but this is an EP. Shouldn’t be on an albums list. Good album but getting a 3 star review.
I was familiar with Thelonius Monk. Enjoyed the album- jazz is typically not for me but it was nice. Used it as background music for a dinner party.
Early morning jazz Nothing remarkable but good vibes
I quite enjoyed the first 20 minutes. I can tell its made with a lot of skill but I think jazz is something I have to enjoy in small bursts. Some Charles Mingus came on after and that was good though!
Very enjoyable album but it’s tough for me to say that this was too far beyond the level of coffee house jazz.
Pleasant background music.
музыкально и красиво но не совсем то настроение / темп что я люблю, хотя уши некоторых более поздних музыкантов увидела тут
Pretty good for jazz is still just okay for regular music. It all sounds the same about two songs in, and it gets pretty boring. Maybe I'm just traumatized from having two jazz albums in a row and fearing a third.
Music that makes you feel like you're too dumb to understand it. Maybe I'm just not in a jazz mood today. I do like the atmosphere and it sounds great. So I won't dock any points but I'm having trouble justifying going higher than *** either.
It's jazz, and at this point it'll have to do something seriously crazy (for better or worse) to sway me away from a 3/5 rating. The beginning of the opening/title track is a little worrying because, rhythm-wise, it feels almost free-jazz-like with the percussive uncertainty and lack of cemented rhythm. But then it hits its stride after a minute or two, and it's smooth sailing from there. Most of the remainder of the album is bouncy, joyful, unassuming jazz played by some of the genre's legends (including, of course, the great Thelonious Monk himself). But no track in particular really stands out. The sax and piano playing, particularly the sax solos (which are extremely plentiful), are fantastic, particularly in the title track and Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are; however, they're absent in the remaining three tracks, which are largely piano instrumental ballads. The lack of album flow isn't ideal and takes away from the listening experience. 3/5 Key tracks: none
It was fine
It' was background music to me but still pleasant to listen to. I'm not a massive fan of jazz but There were some moments that caught my attention. 6/10
Not typically the kind of jazz I listen to but I could see this sounded great when you are in the proper mood. Regardless not bad background music.
Nice jazz. Nothing less, nothing more, really.
Pretty good jazz album. Nothing really stood out to me but there were some pretty slick piano licks. Would listen to it again.
Not quite as irritating as other jazz aficionados, but I’m not sure why that first track took 12 takes. It’s all chaos.
jazzy
nice jazz album! quite enjoyed. jazz generally isn't really my taste though - it was a nice listen but i probably won't come back to it.
Horn heavy, not for me
I am sure it’s lovely jazz, I am just not sure about my love for jazz.
Bluesy and jazzy vibes. Was enjoying listening to this while working. Felt like I should be in a bar sipping a martini in a fancy dress. Not something I’d regularly listen to, though
Definitely a solid monk album but not my favourite (monk’s mood if you’re asking). The title track was the highlight for me and I was fascinated by the recording process for it- 25 takes, frustration with monk which eventually led to them having to splice takes together to get a final track. I love that for one take they thought there was something wrong with the bass set up as there wasn’t a signal until they realized he was just pretending to play because he totally couldn’t follow monk!