Contemplazione

And most of the tracks aren’t even pieces by Monk, but obscure and overlooked American pop songs from the '20s and '30s (non-standard), here rendered with a caustic twist of Luciferian irony. Many of them he had never recorded before! Best of...meh

I find this passage very rough and inaccurate: "the leader of the be-bop revolution of the '40s, together with Coltrane and Hawkins, revolutionized the concept of modern jazz." He was not the leader of be-bop at all; rather, he was the mastermind behind it. As for Coleman Hawkins, he is the "father" of the tenor saxophone, but he did not revolutionize modern jazz, nor its concept. He remains primarily a swing-era saxophonist, even though he strived to update his style. In my opinion, John Coltrane did not change any rules of the game either, so I wouldn't call it a revolution in this case, although he certainly was a beacon for many, twenty years after be-bop! And then, I don’t know, you've put together three names that actually didn’t create anything together, except for recording and playing together on records (many years after the birth of be-bop). If you're talking about be-bop, you should primarily mention Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell. And if you're talking about modern jazz in general, you cannot fail to mention Miles Davis, just to name one. This album is by far my favorite of Monk's, and IT IS NOT A BEST OF AT ALL! It includes all the solo piano recordings he made during his Columbia period in the '60s, many of which had already been released, added as bonus tracks to the many albums he recorded with his quartet. It’s a completely unique record, one that requires some time to absorb and make your own. Anyway, to call Monk an idiot...

Teacher started it!! Pippo, I love you, come on, let's make peace once and for all... your Coesione... no, Connessione (ulp!)... Convoluzione (gulp!)... Confusione (gasp!)... Contaminazione (aaargh!!!, identity crisis!!!!)

@peterwanz: 25. @rockettaro: haha I got you!! It's nice to see someone else knows this wonder...P.S. what's (if there is one) your favorite Blue Note CD? I find that each has a distinct character and personality from the others, which also allows for another consideration: that it's possible to listen to them as solitary jewels, detached from context, or as integral parts of a unique whole, the result of absolute search.

@tricky: just a thought about the audience at your concerts. These are not people who have seen them live 20 times and like fools pay 70 or more euros every year to see the "same old stuff" and even get insulted! I believe that for 70-80% of the audience in Perugia it was their first time, which would explain the great astonishment at his rudeness. I imagine that out of that hypothetical 70-80%, most (myself included) will not repeat the experience. I must confess I was quite surprised myself; I obviously knew about his diva tendencies, but the first time I saw him, at the Auditorium in Rome, he behaved like a gentleman (in hindsight, it seems obvious why)! I decided to see him a second (and last) time because I was far away the first time and didn’t hear very well (so this time I got a "good" ticket, to avoid being fooled again). Well, the usual stuff was quite enjoyable (and lasted 44 + 33 minutes) but nothing really inspired (as happens here). At most three years and they’ll be done, in my opinion. By now, it's better just to listen to their best albums and that’s it! (and the Blue Note is THE best)

Primiballi is right: let's all strive not to start bickering that triggers a chain reaction of punches and endless responses. (NOTE: "all" means happypippo, got it, drugo-pachiderma-man-of-wikipedia?)

@peterwanz: I was there that night too, and I even shelled out 90 bucks! I quote one of my previous posts: "Mr. Jarrett doesn’t show much respect for his loyal audience - at Umbria Jazz, I was in the second row receiving his unwarranted insults - and he almost deserves a little boycott!" See, I'm pissed off too! But giving this masterpiece a 3 because 13 years later Jarrett acted like a jerk in Perugia... what does that have to do with anything? (Even though he’s pretty much always been a jerk since his super celebrity phase post-Koln Concert). But was Beethoven perhaps a nice guy? If you're consistent, buddy, you should go rate his Quartets, Sonatas, and Symphonies with a three…

@tricky: thank you! These recordings truly represent the highest level achieved by this trio, believe me! Besides the quality of the music, the order of the tracks is respected, and there are no "jumps" or cuts, which is not the case in other live albums, nor are there repetitions of tracks from one night to the next (except for two or three cases)...listening to them is the experience most similar to sitting at one of the front row tables at the Blue Note! It’s like being there! You could treat yourself to a nice Christmas gift, maybe...@Corona: I admit my mistake and throw ashes on my head...traccE and not traccIe (the haste)! Anyway, I’m not buying those photos of me with the trans, you bastard!

"Even" Sinatra because among the tracks there is one ("In The Wee Small Hours..") that was one of our Frank's strong pieces, and I interpreted his presence here as a DIRECT homage, not INDIRECT! I know well that his way of singing, his phrasing, the use of space have been a source of inspiration for many, including Davis, but in this case it is a true CITATION. I don't understand why, despite our "mutual dislike," you can't be more objective when judging what I write! When voting on your review, I was correct and generous towards you; you just want to cut my legs out from under me a priori... childish at 50. These CDs YOU HAVEN'T EVEN LISTENED TO!! If anything, it's since Tokyo '96 that the three have "recycled" themselves; HERE THEY ARE AT THEIR PEAK!! And regarding Jarrett's philosophical views, which you consider delusional... who cares!! This is all about music, period. And then Miles was also a jerk with the audience... if an artist throws a tantrum, it doesn't mean we should stop listening to their music or hate them; rather, we should repay them in kind: you treat me like a nobody at your concert? Fine, I’ll treat you like a hired mercenary... shut up and play! Work! And I'll download your records; you definitely don't lack money... you aren't capable of giving a reasoned opinion on either the review or the artist in question because you judge both "on gut feeling."

Hi Fenni, I'm very happy that you approve! I've taken your criticisms to heart, although I believe that the unnecessary introduction I included in the review you didn't like was crucial for your negative judgment; maybe if I hadn’t written it at all, you might have liked it a bit :D