Reviews (page 8 of 13)
It's a good album, I don't really know what to say about it.
Pretty nice jazz album, about half the songs were enjoyable but not much sets it apart from other jazz albums I've heard
This record reminded me what I don’t like about jazz. I really tried to listen to it and I made through the complete record. But it’s just not mine.
Tipo de música que eu iria curtir como banda de fundo num barzinho com a galera. Parece que to ouvindo soundtrack de The Sims, nostálgico. Bem feito, bom som. 3*
I enjoyed this, I thought it was progressive and Brilliant Corners was a strong way to start the album. I particularly liked Bue-La. But I don’t think his best songs are on this album so I thought this was kind of an odd pick for the album list
The kind of music that perfectly soundtracks a morning of driving in heavy winds and on icy roads. My car and those around me moving to the music
Jazz is Jazz. Can only listen for so long. Enjoyed it though.
Mid
Acceptable jazz. 2.5/5
Satisfying jazz noise, unfortunately comes off as background music - needs the right ambient to be enjoyed fully.
1=Bad 2=Okay 3=Good 4=Great 5=Fantastic Not too much to say for me, I'm just not that crazy about saxophone forward bebop. Sometimes. If I'm in just the right mood.
Good
1 brilliant corners -- lovely sax and drums. 2 ba-lue -- peak walking aronud the city music 3 pannonica -- prob my fav i liked the melody 4 i surrender, dear -- joyous piano i fucked w it. heavier ig 5 bemsha swing -- nice instrumentation overall love jazz and good crocheting music. sometimes repetitive and long af but im not used to this type of music so whateva
Solid jazz - not mind blowing but solid as hell. THREE
I remain an inarticulate clod who failed jazz history in college, but I likes what I likes. And I likes when the different instruments have big personalities and interplay. Brilliant Corners' title track is like a conversation between the horns and the drums. Maybe its for the studied jazz initiates to know what they're saying. Ba-Lue Bolivar is a little more even-keeled, but it's not like you can have a bad time with a good sax. The bass has a great solo at the end. Pannonica and I Surrender chill out and get loungy. Not a lot for a jazz clod to latch on to. But then Bemsha Swing swings back, with some great grooves that let the sax and piano shine. Love those big drum builds that drop back into walking bass grooves. I don't know that it's that transcendent of an album, but it sounds like good jazz to me. I bet everyone had a nice time.
Some great monk! Definitely like his solo Piano stuff a little more but shout out Sonny Rollins. 3.5
Good! Wish I knew more about jazz so I could be a better judge of like what exactly I’m listening to. Could tell this was experimental/cutting edge stuff for its time, but not much beyond that. Still enjoyed!
I get how influential and important jazz is to music history, but you could play all the jazz albums on this list in whatever order and I would not be able to differentiate them for the most part. I love a good horn section and honestly the smoother stuff is always a treat to listen to.
Another day, another jazz album, another 3 stars
Didn't super vibe with this, still solid playing but it's a 3
I enjoyed the music, but I felt like it’s a bit better served contributing to a nice cozy morning and not as much as an active listening experience. Best Track: Pannonica
Decent Jazz I don't need to hear again
Im at the start of my journey into Jazz. I found stuff i loved, stuff ive hated, stuff i didnt understand and stiff i was ambivalent to. This falls into the ambivalent category, but thats probably because i dont understand it. It was pleasant and ticked along nicely without grabbing me. Im sure i'll circle back around to this in the future, but currently i didnt find a foothold in it.
Not my favorite cup of tea but a solid jazz album.
Not a big fan of real jazz...too disconnected
I fear Jazz. I fear the lack of boundaries.
I'm sure it's good but it's a bit jazzy init
To experimental jazz for my liking
Pretty solid.
Nice but not my speed
This felt like the swing of Ellington, but deconstructed. You know when Heston Blumenthal makes an apple crumble and he puts the apple on one side of the plate, the crumble on the other and the custard in another room. This feels like the swing version of that. The band feels very intuitive especially on that first track where the tempo is changing. It's obviously based around rehearsed motifs but doesn't lose a very nice improvisational feel. In summary, the album doesn't sound overly of the be-bop school of improvisation, it doesn't sound big band swing, but it sounds somewhere in between. There are elements and passages I loved, but it didn't keep me entirely captivated.
нормалек, без негатива.
Found some of the patterns challenging but that could be because I’m tired. Really like the variety of instruments across the record. The double bass section on ‘Ba-Lue Bolivar…’ is really good.
I turned this on while cooking and it offered a cinematic backtracking to my actions. That being said, if I wasn’t using this as an enhancement to another activity, I’d be unable to focus. This did inspire some curiosity in me and I want to listen to more jazz, so I’m hoping another jazz album pops up along this journey soon.
This was nice, at some times very nice. Best enjoyed when drinking a martini, by a marble fireplace, dressed in some fancy attire. Not that I did any of those things, but if I did, it would have achieved maximum niceness.
Interesting but probably won't revisit
There is no music he could make that would ever be as cool as his name is, and this is evidence of that.
Solid jazz
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would since Jazz is decidedly not my thing. Never going to relisten, but it was pleasant.
Jazz
eclectic. dont think its his best work tho
I'm not a jazz fan. But can appreciate this
7/10 - pretty cool jazz
Need to get a better listen in TBH. This was not a great Halloween album.
3 stars for respect for Monk and his legacy. But not for me
Nice Friday morning jazz album. Sounded like 101 Dalmatians and Sinatra at times.
I liked it. Didn’t know where one song ended and the next began. Maybe that’s a good thing. Probably a 3.5 for me but I’m keeping it a 3.
Really enjoyable jazz for a long drive, some of the songs went a little longer than I would have preferred, but that's kinda the whole thing. Would love to listen on a hifi with good headphones. 3.5 rounded down
Jazz never really pisses me off it, just is there solid i'd say, love a good upright bass 3/5 7.42/10
I've never listened to this album (40). Great jazz. Loved Bemsha Swing.
I love this album.
I took a long break from the generator and have been working through a backlog. For some reason, my Sex Pistols review was also posted on this album. I've never listened to it so I'll need to come back
Quiet piano music in the background. I quite like it.
Malo previše bopast bop za moje kapacitete.
In person, this would have another star. Amazing skill, but it gets a little lost in the environment.
I get it's impact - intellectually. You can hear elements that would be built upon in the coming generation. But as a pure listening experience it doesn't really transcend the time. Whereas Saxophone Colossus (Sonny R is standout on this album) Blue Train, Mingus Ah um and Kind of Blue and Moanin all continue to titillate this album fails to escape the time outside of Bemsha Swing which totally swings. Certainly a worthy entry into the canon. And an enjoyable enough listen.
It’s fine
I've tried Thelonious Monk a couple times before and always just bounced off, not sure why. Started listening to this one, and was afraid the same thing was happening, but finally after a minute or two into the third song "Pannonica" it clicked for me. I still don't think I would seek most of these songs out, but very enjoyable to sit back and vibe to. "Pannonica" is my fave on here.
Enjoyed - but didn’t grab me - perhaps one to revisit
This was my first time hearing Thelonious Monk, and while I didn't add anything to my Liked Songs, I enjoyed it. Solid 3 star listen.
Not much to say about this album, it is just instrumental piano jazz.
Moderate enthusiasm
Makes me want to be sat in a dark & ambient cocktail bar sipping on a negroni. Classical jazz isn’t my usual cup of tea, but I can definitely see the appeal of this album. It is overwhelmingly complex and intricate, making for a pleasant but challenging listen. There are instrumental elements that are obviously superb and the band seem to be in perfect harmony, but ultimately this style of music for me isn’t for everyday.
This is fun. I enjoyed my time, but I don't want to listen to jazz for at least a week and a half after this.
Not bad for jazz
Ihan toimivaa jazzia, ei vaan parasta työmatkalle tietty vaan keskittyneempään kuunteluun.
Jazz isn't exactly my genre and it's tough for me to trace what modern Jazz is drawing from this album, but I imagine it's a lot since I've heard so many student bands trying their hand at this kind of improvisation, and it's not easy to get it to sound good. This one sounds good. However, while I think the piano is great, there's way too much sax and the sax isn't that great. I really want to hear more of Monk's piano, and this album gives only a taste of it. As it stands, this album has its moments, but that's about it.
Jazz isn't typically my thing, but this was great background music to a quiet morning. I think I like jazz more when I'm not actively listening to it, and instead letting it deep into the background of whatever I'm doing, letting it dictate the tempo.
I mean it was ok, I actually didn't notice when it switched over to another artist. Pretty boring stuff but good for what it was I guess.
Every so often I find myself wishing I had studied music more at an academic level so when I listen to jazz, I can say things like, “oh my gosh, I can’t believe he just did that!“ As it is, the best I can do is say, “that wasn’t bad to listen to.“
Another challenging artist; Monk purposely chooses notes that sound like mistakes, but end up working in the context of the full composition. This is an album that grows on a person, and it sounds better and better with each listen. Not my normal choice for jazz, but it is good; Having a difficult time rounding up.
This is a jazz album. My overall view of jazz remains unchanged. He does have a very cool name, though.
Good jazz.
This is good but I don’t know enough about jazz to say anything beyond that.
I will trust the editors that this is good jazz. Them musicians are clearly good but nothing here really hit me very strongly. Insane that Sonny Rollins is still alive.
Really high 3. Not my favorite monk. Maybe like a 3.75
I can appreciate this. Just not my jam.
I like this. Monk was a legend, and has done some amazing work. This is not his best, but him, Sonny Rollins? Can’t go wrong. 6/10
Jazz. Good for deep focus and background noise
Very pleasant and easy listening.
Masters of jazz like Mr. Monk have enriched all of the music we listen to. But as I've said before, I am not a skilled listener of high level jazz. I enjoyed some of this album but I am certain I was supposed to enjoy it more. Because of the xylophone work on Pannonica, it reminds me of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, probably not what the artists had in mind. I am sure the work is genius, but I can only measure my appreciation, which is middling, I fear. 3/5
Love the Timpani throughout, but nothing much strikes me beyond that.
I found this to be a great background play, whilst cooking dinner. Great!
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.
I've never been super into this kind of jazz, but the longer I listen to it the more I could tap into it and enjoy it. No doubt about the talent and skill it requires to pull off. 3.5
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.
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
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.