The music of Thelonious Monk has long attracted musicians as fertile ground for improvisation, but Italian pianist Renato Sellani approached it in a very different manner. Choosing nine of Monk's most popular works, he tackled them as piano solos, emphasizing their inherent (but often overlooked) lyricism rather than turn them into show pieces for flashy arrangements. As a result, the listener is rewarded with Sellani's journey through these very familiar tunes, as the pianist retains the humor within many of them (though it is a bit more subtle); he gets more frisky with a brief, flashy introduction to "Monk's Dream" before settling down. There are two takes of "Ruby, My Dear" which both merited inclusion, while a second take of "'Round Midnight" adds tenor saxophonist Gianni Basso and trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso as the session's sole guests for a dramatic trio performance. Sellani wraps the recording with an upbeat tribute to the legendary composer, without trying to simulate Monk's compositional style. Highly recommended! - Ken Dryden
Tracks
01. Blue Monk
02. Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues Are
03.'Round Midnight (Solo Version)
04. Pannonica
05. Ask Me Now
07. Crepescule With Nellie
08. Monk's Dream
06. Rhythm-A-Ning
09. Ruby, My Dear
10. Monk's Mood
11.'Round Midnight {Trio Version)
12. Ruby, My Dear (Take 2)
13. For Thelonious Sphere Monk
RENATO SELLANI piano
FABRIZIO BOSSO trumpet
GIANNI BASSO tenor saxophone
All music composed by Thelonious Monk, except (13) by Renato Sellani
Recorded on April 4, 2005 in Azzano San Paolo, Italy.