Thelonious Monk Plays the Music of Duke Ellington
Encyclopedia
Thelonious Monk Plays Duke Ellington is a 1955 album by Thelonious Monk
, comprising his recordings of well-known songs by Duke Ellington
. It was Monk's first album to be released by Riverside Records
.
The concept of the album was the result of a compromise between Monk and his new label. Although Monk occasionally performed covers, he primarily played his own compositions and he had recorded several albums of originals during 1953-54 for his previous label Prestige Records
. However there was a perception (particularly among music critics) that Monk's own music was "too difficult" for the mainstream record-buying public, and his Prestige albums sold poorly.
After buying out Monk's contract for just over $100, Riverside convinced Monk to record an entire album of Ellington tunes. Monk Plays Ellington was followed by another album of standards by other composers, The Unique Thelonious Monk
. Both albums were well received by critics, although they sold only moderately, and ironically it was his third Riverside LP Brilliant Corners
, almost completely original material, which became both a commercial and critical success.
The choice of Ellington as the 'theme' composer was evidently made by producer Orrin Keepnews
and the Riverside label, but it was nevertheless significant. Ellington was (and is) arguably the most important American jazz composer of his generation and with Louis Armstrong
and Count Basie
, he had been one of the most popular and successful performers and recording artists of the Thirties and Forties.
At the time the album was recorded, Ellington's profile was yet to revive, and the small-group genres of bebop
and cool jazz
were in the ascendant. Indeed, at the time the Monk album was released, Ellington had been dropped by his label, Capitol Records
and he was struggling to keep his Orchestra together (although he would return to prominence the following year with the Orchestra's legendary performance at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival
).
Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Sphere Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer considered "one of the giants of American music". Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "Epistrophy", "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser"...
, comprising his recordings of well-known songs by Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
. It was Monk's first album to be released by Riverside Records
Riverside Records
Riverside Records was a United States record label specializing in jazz. Founded by Orrin Keepnews and Bill Grauer under his firm Bill Grauer Productions, Inc. in 1953, the label was a major presence in the jazz record industry for a decade...
.
The concept of the album was the result of a compromise between Monk and his new label. Although Monk occasionally performed covers, he primarily played his own compositions and he had recorded several albums of originals during 1953-54 for his previous label Prestige Records
Prestige Records
Prestige Records was a jazz record label founded in 1949 by Bob Weinstock. The company was located at 203 South Washington Avenue in Bergenfield, New Jersey, and recorded hundreds of albums by many of the leading jazz musicians of the day, sometimes issuing them under the names of several...
. However there was a perception (particularly among music critics) that Monk's own music was "too difficult" for the mainstream record-buying public, and his Prestige albums sold poorly.
After buying out Monk's contract for just over $100, Riverside convinced Monk to record an entire album of Ellington tunes. Monk Plays Ellington was followed by another album of standards by other composers, The Unique Thelonious Monk
The Unique Thelonious Monk
The Unique Thelonious Monk is a 1956 album from Thelonious Monk, his second for Riverside Records and like his Riverside debut, is made up of standards...
. Both albums were well received by critics, although they sold only moderately, and ironically it was his third Riverside LP Brilliant Corners
Brilliant Corners
Brilliant Corners is a 1957 album by jazz musician Thelonious Monk. It was his third album for the Riverside label and the first, for this label, to include his own compositions. The complex title track required over a dozen takes in the studio, and is considered one of his most difficult...
, almost completely original material, which became both a commercial and critical success.
The choice of Ellington as the 'theme' composer was evidently made by producer Orrin Keepnews
Orrin Keepnews
Orrin Keepnews is an American writer and jazz record producer. In June 2010, he received a lifetime achievement award from the National Endowment for the Arts.- Career :...
and the Riverside label, but it was nevertheless significant. Ellington was (and is) arguably the most important American jazz composer of his generation and with Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
and Count Basie
Count Basie
William "Count" Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years...
, he had been one of the most popular and successful performers and recording artists of the Thirties and Forties.
At the time the album was recorded, Ellington's profile was yet to revive, and the small-group genres of bebop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
and cool jazz
Cool jazz
Cool is a style of modern jazz music that arose following the Second World War. It is characterized by its relaxed tempos and lighter tone, in contrast to the bebop style that preceded it...
were in the ascendant. Indeed, at the time the Monk album was released, Ellington had been dropped by his label, Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
and he was struggling to keep his Orchestra together (although he would return to prominence the following year with the Orchestra's legendary performance at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival
Newport Jazz Festival
The Newport Jazz Festival is a music festival held every summer in Newport, Rhode Island, USA. It was established in 1954 by socialite Elaine Lorillard, who, together with husband Louis Lorillard, financed the festival for many years. The couple hired jazz impresario George Wein to organize the...
).
Track listing
| Track | Song Title | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) "It Don't Mean a Thing " is a 1931 composition by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Mills, now accepted as a jazz standard. The music was written and arranged by Ellington in August 1931 during intermissions at Chicago's Lincoln Tavern and was first recorded by Ellington and his orchestra for... " |
4:38 |
| 2. | "Sophisticated Lady Sophisticated Lady "Sophisticated Lady" is a jazz standard, composed as an instrumental in 1932 by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills, to which words were added by Mitchell Parish. The words met with approval from Ellington, who described them as "wonderful—but not entirely fitted to my original conception".That... " |
4:27 |
| 3. | "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good" | 5:52 |
| 4. | "Black and Tan Fantasy Black and Tan Fantasy Black and Tan is a musical short film written by Dudley Murphy that exhibits the ideas and thoughts of The Harlem Renaissance Movement. Duke Ellington's musical talents along with Fredi Washington's extraordinary acting potential make this movie a good example of the emergence of artistic culture... " |
3:24 |
| 5. | "Mood Indigo Mood Indigo "Mood Indigo" is a jazz composition and song, with music by Duke Ellington and Barney Bigard with lyrics by Irving Mills.-Disputed authorship:In a 1987 interview, Mitchell Parish claimed to have written the lyrics:... " |
3:13 |
| 6. | "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart is a 1938 composition by Duke Ellington, with lyrics added by Irving Mills, Henry Nemo and John Redmond. The song became a number one hit for Ellington in 1938, and vocal versions by Benny Goodman and Mildred Bailey soon followed.Dinah Washington recorded the song... " |
5:40 |
| 7. | "Solitude (In My) Solitude " Solitude" is a 1934 jazz standard, composed by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills.- Notable recordings :* Paul Robeson, bass with orchestra. Recorded in London on October 18, 1937... " |
3:42 |
| 8. | "Caravan Caravan (song) "Caravan" is a jazz standard composed by Juan Tizol and first performed by Duke Ellington in 1937. Irving Mills wrote the lyrics, but he sometimes is not credited on the many instrumental versions. Its exotic sound interested exotica musicians; Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman both covered it. Woody... " |
5:55 |
Later Samples
- "Black and Tan Fantasy" in "Shame on a Nigga" by Wu-Tang Clan