Paris 1969

This is a 2013 Blue Note records release containing a CD and DVD of Monk’s quartet playing a 1969 Paris concert at the legendary Salle Pleyel Hall. The CD contains twelve tracks with a total playing time of sixty-one minutes. All the music was composed or co-written by Monk with the exception of ”Don’t Blame Me” and ”I Love You Sweetheart of All My Dreams”.The play list is a virtual treasure of many of the major works created by this artist. The band members consist of the legendary Charlie Rouse on sax and two young musicians, Austin “Paris” Wright on drums and Nate Hygelund on bass.!969 finds Thelonious Monk, after a long and illustrious career, without a recording contract. Additionally, he’s battling some health issues which are starting to make an impact on his performances. Within a few years, specifically by 1971, Monk will have abandoned his musical vocation never to record or perform in public again.Charlie Rouse, his long time musical colleague and key collaborator within the quartet (eleven years) will depart from the band within months of the 1969 Paris concert.Monk’s time tested and seasoned rhythm section have recently left the band, requiring him to retain the services of two untested musicians.The stakes are elevated for Monk, coming into this 1969 concert and the French audience expectations are very high. Monk is keenly aware that his artistic reputation and legacy is at risk if he fails to deliver.On the plus side, the new quartet had an opportunity to perform in London and Berlin prior to the Paris date. Although no commercial recordings of these performances exist, one can assume the band had ample opportunity to work through their musical challenges and polish their performances.The CD and DVD reveal that Monk is equal to the challenge. His playing is practically flawless and the video reveals a much more focused Monk then what had been observed from previous sixties dates. The rhythm section compensates for their inexperience by an unbridled energy and enthusiasm for the work.Charlie Rouse’s solos are superb and complement every note of Monk’s material. The quartet delivers a quality performance throughout the entire set, never wavering. One suspects the Monk and Charlie “stepped up their game” to compensate to some degree for the inexperienced rhythm section.An added bonus is the special guest appearance of Philly Joe Jones. He takes command of the drum kit for the playing of”Nutty”. His drum solo on Monk’s ten minute composition is exceptional. No wonder major artists Miles Davis and Bill Evans declared Philly Joe to be their all time favorite drummer. Observing his legendary cross rhythm on the symbols was pure musical pleasure.Jazz fans are fortunate indeed to have this release. It stands as a testament to Monks triumphant, creative contributions that night, so long ago in Paris 1969.Gratitude should be extended to Doug Sax for the outstanding sound remastering. Kudos should also be offered to Robin D. G. Kelly for the extensive and thought provoking liner notes.

Monk was effectively washed up after the events of 1968: after making the dreadful big band record  Monk's Blues , he lost half his band and his Columbia contract and found himself coping with a lengthy illness. Eventually, he found himself on the road in Europe with Charlie Rouse and a rhythm section who wasn't even born when he started releasing records. What could the audience in Paris on this 1969 evening have been expecting?Whatever that might be, surely they left pleased. Everybody is on here, not the least Monk himself, who gets a rousing ovation for his terrific solo numbers, including perhaps his best version of "Don't Blame Me." The band surprises, too, with Paris Wright giving an extended drum solo in the first "Bright Mississippi" and some real soul from Rouse throughout. There is also a rousing cameo from Philly Joe Jones, and this gives "Nutty" a good spark to end the set. Admittedly, the "captured from the TV show" audio is not as good as it could be, but it's better than most of the bootlegs, and the DVD is entertaining. Overall, it suggests that Monk is on his way back, just needing some good new tunes and a label willing to work with him. That's not where this story ends, unfortunately. Rouse left soon after this tour, the rhythm section fell into relative obscurity, and Monk himself took only intermittent work, excepting his early 70's "Giants of Jazz" tour that did, thankfully, give us some terrific final studio recordings as the tour passed through England. But prior to this release, we had only snippets of the 69 band, and now we can validate that they could really cook up a storm on stage. For those new to live Monk, start with  Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall , and then move forward to the Johnny Griffin supported  Thelonious Monk in Action  and  Misterioso , as well as  Live at the It Club: Complete . But if you're looking to cap off your Monk collection with a snapshot of where he was at the end of the sixties, this is a good place to be.

This is not Monk at his best, but if you are a fan, this will please you anyway. Charlie Rouse is the only veteran on board, with the notable exception of Philly Joe Jones sitting in on Nutty - worth the price of admission. I loved this version of Epistrophy with the boggie-woggie on the left hand. The performance was recorded for Paris TV, and that's what is on the DVD - how much footage of Monk performances exists? Not enough, for sure, and it is good to have this. Inexplicably, the order of songs is changed on the CD. It's Monk. Enjoy.

Monk was supposedly in decline when he did this gig in the city of light with some newcomers in his rhythm section. They soundsurprisingly confident, as does Monk himself. The playing is tight, playful, and full of unexpected energy and precision. Paris 1969is pretty essential for any Monk fan, or for anyone else just interested in jazz.

Of course!

Seller boxed a different record in this. The outside had a barcode and description for this record though. Very disappointing.

Wonder if the pressing is from analogue source. The vinyl itself is an immaculate pressing. Music is of course fantastic. Monk=genius.

I like this album but personally I Monks Dream is better. But, I still enjoyed this record all the same.

The great pianist/composer Thelonious Monk(1917-82) and his quartet appeared at the Salle Pleyel, Paris on December 15, 1969 which was the last night of their European tour.With Monk(piano) were Charlie Rouse(tenor sax) and a couple of young, unknown musicians: Nate Hygelund(bass) & Paris Wright(drums). Veteran drummer Philly Joe Jones(1923-85) sits in towards the end of the concert.The twelve tracks include ten Monk originals plus two standards and highlight is an exciting, atmospheric 10-minute version of 'Nutty' featuring Philly Joe Jones.Monk's biographer, Robin D.G. Kelley wrote that "Jones provided a spark that had been missing throughout most of the evening... The audience went wild for Philly Joe and responded favourably to the entire concert".All in all, 'Paris 1969' contains an hour of inventive and timeless live modern jazz which is well worth hearing.Btw ~ A DVD of this concert was issued but, sadly, is currently very difficult to find at a reasonable price.

This is an essential addition to every "Monk Fan's" collection. Monk and Rouse were in great form and the bass and drums(previously unknown to me) were fresh and lively.This must be one of the last recordings before Monk's retirement from public performance!

Great CD. Did not know it had a DVD Greater value all round .

Good concert with an unusual line up. The DVD is a nice bonus

An excellent concert by the master of dissonant rhythms and "wrong" notes. As usual, Thelonious' improvisations on his own standards vary from other recordings of the same tunes. This is why true Monk afficionados tend to collect every concert they can get their hands on. In the sixties and early seventies, Monk made a variety of concerts throughout Europe, sometimes issued by one European company or another, with varying results. This recently issued one, Paris 1969, is well-recorded and is a good concert.