This is an utterly fascinating tribute to the music of Thelonious Monk. Most of the selections feature the unusual trio of tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano, guitarist Bill Frisell (who with his wide range of original sounds is really a one-band band), and drummer Paul Motian. Tenor saxophonist Dewey Redman and pianist Geri Allen are guests on two songs apiece and fit in quite well with the sparse but very complete trio. Among the ten Monk songs explored, taken apart and given surprising treatment are "Evidence,""Bye-Ya,""Ugly Beauty," and "Trinkle Tinkle." Recommended to open-eared listeners. – Scott Yanow
Tracks
01. Crepuscule with Nellie
02. Justice (Evidence)
03. Rudy My Dear
04. Straight, No Chaser
05. Bye-Ya
06. Ugly Beauty
07. Trinkle Trinkle
08. Epistrophy (Clarke, Monk)
09. Off Minor
10. Reflections
PAUL MOTIAN drums
BILL FRISELL guitar
GERI ALLEN piano (tracks 3, 9)
DEWEY REDMAN tenor saxophone (tracks 4, 8)
JOE LOVANO tenor saxophone
All compositions by Thelonious Monk except as indicated
Recorded March 1988 at A&R Recording Studios, NYC
JMT 919 020 - 2