Thelonius Monk - Where to Start

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Thelonius Monk is one of my favorite jazz musicians/composers/performers. That being said, I don't have any of his albums. He's just one of those guys I've seen many videos of, heard songs played here and there, but never a whole album.

I know some people on here really like him, so what would be the best album to start with. What's his Kind of Blue, if you will.

[billl]

I'm no expert, but until one rolls along, here's my experience.

I sort of went through an "infatuation" with Monk, but it didn't lead me to explore everything. I partially blame this on me not having enough money at the time, and it being much harder to track down and learn about what to listen to than it is today. It wasn't impossible, but the easy thing was to just buy stuff that was right there in the stores I could get to. I also blame it on a "Best Of" from his days recording on Blue Note that really disappointed me. I think the best version of Round About Midnight that I've heard is from the Blue Note time, maybe, though. Not sure.

Anyhow, I bought two reissues from his CBS years that were very good: Monk's Dream (which is I think his all-time best-seller) and Underground. Underground is the one I loved and couldn't get enough of. Monk's Dream was a great change of pace, but I had to get really tired of Underground before I would turn to it. I guess I got that Blue Note thing next, and only got a few more in some short period some years later--on vinyl, when I had limited access to a turntable, so I can't even remember which ones they were at this point.

Brilliant Corners has a great reputation, and I just sampled a bit of it, and it looks like a great choice--I'll be keeping my eyes out for it, now.

[Armel P]

Monk's Dream is awesome. I think it was one of my first jazz albums. If you want an album with a different pace, there is one I have of him playing solo that I recommend. It's really beautiful.

[stlukesguild]

I would second Monk's Dream and Brilliant Corners and add Straight No Chaser, Monk's Music, and Genius of Modern Music vol. 1 and 2 as among his most essential recordings.

[Armel P]

Monk Alone is that solo album I mentioned. Underground is also great.