Palo Alto

An unheard concert by Monk and his great band (Monk, Charlie Rouse-tenor sax, Larry Gales-bass, and Ben Riley-drums) from '68. This approximately 47 minute show includes tunes like "Ruby My Dear", "Well You Needn't", "Epistrophy" and other compositions that Monk fans will recognize. Also here is a Monk solo piece, "Don't Blame Me", which gives this album some depth and puts Monk's style on good display.Recorded in good sound by the school janitor in exchange for tuning the piano (except for the bass being to far forward in the mix at times) at a Palo Alto high school, the band played this concert just before leaving to play a scheduled show in S.F. that same night. Monk and the band are in typically good form throughout this album with some very fine playing from all the band members. Monk's angular style of piano is well represented here as is Rouse's fine tenor sax playing. The rhythm section underlays everything here to great effect, letting Monk and Rouse explore the music.The sound is good/very good, with a nice period warmth that doesn't clutter up the nicely cleaned up sound even if the bass is too prominent at times. The 14 page booklet has a nice essay on the era, Monk, and the music, plus a couple of b&w photos. There's also a short essay by Danny Scher who was responsible for putting on the concert. The small poster (91/2" X 12") is also kind of nifty--a nice thing to include. The disc slips into a pocket in the tri-fold cardboard package that has pockets for the poster and the booklet.Monk fans will want this album in their Monk collection. If you're a Monk fan--get this.

This is very good considering it's history.Highly recommended

Love it, love it, love it. Band is cooking...sound is great....and the backstory is the icing on the top! Thank you, Impulse! And much thanks to Mr. Scher and the anonymous/unknown janitor who recorded the experience!! Of course, thank you also to Thelonious, Jr. who has continued to keep the fires burning for Monk all these years. I am so grateful for all the recordings we already have, but I sure hope "new" finds continue to be unearthed for many more years!!! Go Monk Go!

first cd arrived incredibly damaged but second CD was perfectly fine

Bought a copy each for my brother and sister. We all attended the rival school across town from Palo Alto HS, none of us attended this concert and regret it to this day. The album notes tell the amazing history of its genesis, which none of us had known. ‘Monk’ is played regularly in my PA home. I have been told that it happily accompanied my GA brother as he opened his Christmas gifts and continues to delight. My OR sister listens to it last thing in the evening to soothe. It was a serendipitous find as I wracked my brain to find their perfect gifts. We had loved the music of Thelonius Monk and this collection did not disappoint.

I was interested in this from the moment I heard it. What surpassed my expectations was the sound. Since it was recorded in a high school auditorium, arranged by a 19 year old student and recorded by the janitor, I though it would be an audience recorded reel to reel. It's not. It's a stereo board/house tape. I see on the linear notes that there was some tape restoration, transfer and izotope mastering software was used. It's not modern day perfect, but clear, upfront and enjoyable. Great performance on top.

From the packaging to the listening experience, this is truly a great, wonderful and thoughtful MONK concert album. I wasn't expecting such a good audio experience as I knew the original recording was not professionally produced. Every jazz affectionado needs to have a copy!

Say Hey - If you know Monk, you have heard these tunes before, with the possible exception of a solo piano performance of "I Love You Sweetheart of All My Dreams." However, the Palo Alto concert is highly worthy of a listen because of the intense swing of all concerned. Everybody sounds happy, inspired and improvising on a high level. A welcome addition to Monk's live (very live) recordings.

Estas gravações representam um tesouro inestimável. Pena que o tempo de música é curto. Queria mais.

A startling performance -- the entire quartet bring their "A" game. Spots of the recording are a touch rough, but it only adds to the charm of this magnificent set. I am very grateful to receive this, in the year 2020.

Great music, nice design...a fine addition to my collection

Su questo grande concerto dovrebbero fare un film. La storia di come fu organizzato, da un ragazzino di 17 anni, Danny Scher, patito di jazz, con un'America in fiamme, fra gli assassinii di Luther King e Bobby Kennedy, il Vietnam, le tensioni razziali, con Monk portato all'Auditorium di Palo Alto, nel pomeriggio del 27 ottobre 1968, sul van del fratello di Danny, quando nessuno credeva più che il grande pianista si sarebbe presentato. E la fortuna di un membro dello staff, che in cambio del suo aiuto nell'accordare il pianoforte, potè registrarlo (in modo splendido). Era, insomma, tutto appeso a un filo, dall'America in giù. Monk arrivò con il suo quartetto, Charlie Rouse al sax tenore, Larry Gales al basso e uno stupefacente Ben Riley ai tamburi, e suonò solo 45 minuti, ma, credetemi, raramente ho ascoltato un set così bello, fluido, potente, così ricco d'improvvisazione e con Monk, da tempo scivolato indietro nelle classifiche di settore, in forma smagliante. Non passerà troppo tempo, prima che Thelonious scomparisse anche a sé stesso, chiudendosi in un mutismo artistico e umano, profondamente segnato dalla malattia mentale. Ma fermiamoci qui, a Palo Alto e gustiamoci, dopo tanti anni, quest'edizione, splendida in tutto, della Impulse!: sono sei brani, ma ne basterebbero quattro, quelli centrali che passano quasi ininterrottamente dai dodici minuti stratosferici di "Well, You Needn't" all'altrettanto lunga "Epistrophy", che formano un grande manifesto jazz che spazza via tutte le nuove avanguardie dell'epoca, il jazz rock di Davis e di altri grandi. Monk non cerca astrusità, non fa il difficile, lascia libero il suo quartetto di improvvisare e di volare altissimo, mentre lui, come sempre, spezza il ritmo, un po' Jelly Roll Morton e un po' lui stesso, (che cosa non fa in "Don't Blame Me"?!). Un pomeriggio leggendario, non solo per Danny Scher e la ritrovata unità fra i bianchi e i neri di Palo Alto, finalmente insieme per la musica, ma ora anche per noi, che a distanza siderale possiamo goderne in una qualità musicale praticamente perfetta. Un must, un capolavoro ritrovato. Da ascoltare e riascoltare.

HISTORICO CONCIERTO.Sin duda es un buen concierto de Monk, con Charlie Rose, Larry Gales y Ben Riley, pero lo que lo hace especial es que esta grabado en Palo Altoen 1968 , en plena ola de disturbios racistas en un Instituto para blancos. Fue el empeño personal de un joven judio llamado Danny Scher y que finalmete ha sido editado. El sonido es magnifico y la historia que esconde es facinante. Lastima que las circunstancias raciales en los EEUU sigan siendo parecidas despues de tantos años. Merece tenerlo para oir ese maestro que es Monk en medio de una guerra sin cuartel alas afueras de la sala. Estupendo e historico concierto.