Thelonious Monk - The Complete Prestige Recordings

The peak of Monk's Prestige tenure came in 1954. In May, he led a quintet through the originals "We See," "Locomotive," and "Hackensack" (plus "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"), and four months later, he brought in an exceptional trio (with bassist Percy Heath and Blakey) for readings of "Nutty," "Work," and "Blue Monk." His stunning solo version of "Just a Gigolo" from that session is a perfect illustration of his way of dissecting standards. It's telling that Blakey was the drummer on three of these four sessions. No one knew how to make Monk's quirkiness swing and flow as well as Blakey, who was able to be both proactive and responsive to Monk's unique vision. The box is rounded out by Monk's sideman work behind Sonny Rollins and Miles Davis, plus four 1944 bonus cuts in support of Coleman Hawkins (made for the Joe Davis label) that are pleasant curiosities offering proof of a young Monk's (and Hawkins's) open mind. Though not as celebrated (or consistent) as his other periods, Monk's Prestige tenure includes some of his greatest triumphs. –Marc Greilsamer

Disc 1


1. Flyin' Hawk (Thelonious Monk) 2:49
2. Recollections (Thelonious Monk) 2:53
3. Drifting On A Reed (Thelonious Monk) 3:03
4. On The Bean (Thelonious Monk) 2:41
5. Bye-Ya (Thelonious Monk) 2:45
6. Monk's Dream (Thelonious Monk) 3:04
7. Sweet And Lovely (Thelonious Monk) 3:33
8. Little Rootie Tootie (Thelonious Monk) 3:04
9. Bemsha Swing (Thelonious Monk) 3:09
10. Reflections (Thelonious Monk) 2:46
11. These Foolish Things (Thelonious Monk) 2:46
12. Trinkle, Tinkle (Thelonious Monk) 2:49
13. Think Of One (Thelonious Monk) 5:38
14. Let's Call This (Thelonious Monk) 5:05
15. Think Of One (Thelonious Monk Quintet) 5:44
16. Friday The 13th (Thelonious Monk) 10:36 Al

Disc 2


1. We See (Thelonious Monk) 5:15
2. Locomotive (Thelonious Monk) 6:21
3. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (Thelonious Monk) 4:30
4. Hackensack (Thelonious Monk) 5:10
5. Nutty (Thelonious Monk) 5:16
6. Just A Gigolo (Thelonious Monk) 3:00
7. Work (Thelonious Monk) 5:17 $
8. Blue Monk (Thelonious Monk) 7:36
9. I Want To Be Happy (Thelonious Monk) 7:43
10. The Way You Look Tonight (Thelonious Monk) 5:12
11. More Than You Know (Thelonious Monk) 10:53

Disc 3

1. Bags' Groove (Miles Davis) 11:08
2. Bemsha Swing (Miles Davis) 9:31
3. The Man I Love (Miles Davis) 8:29
4. Swing Spring (Miles Davis) 10:43 y
5. Bags' Groove (Miles Davis) 9:16
6. The Man I Love (Miles Davis) 7:57