Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane: Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane
After Coltrane was dismissed by Miles Davis, he travelled to Philadelphia in 1957 to address his drug addiction, and there accepted an invitation from Monk to join his quartet. The group’s celebrated residency at New York’s Five Spot Café became a celebrated affair, yet despite the exceptional quality of the music, very little was recorded, and Coltrane’s time with Monk lasted barely six months.
Produced by Orrin Keepnews for his Milestone label, this album draws on takes recorded in April, June and July 1957. However, it was not released until 1961, four years later and after Coltrane had already emerged as a prominent bandleader. As the Five Spot residency went on, additional musicians began to sit in and contribute to the performances and on this reissue we hear guests including Coleman Hawkins, Ray Copeland, Gigi Gryce and Art Blakey.
The original recording comprised six tracks, including Coltrane’s ferocious solo on Nutty, Monk’s sweeping piano intro on Monk’s Mood and the hard-swinging tune Trinkle Trinkle, sketched out from its chromatic melodic lines. This re-release features two additional alternative takes from the same sessions (Monk’s Mood and Off Minor). Many consider Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane one of the most significant jazz records of the 20th century and this reissue from Number One Essentials is another opportunity for new listeners to own a hard copy of this remarkable recording.
Discography
Ruby My Dear; Trinkle Tinkle; Off Minor (tk 4); Monk’s Mood – Nutty; Epistrophy (alt); Functional (alt); Off Minor
Monk (p); Coltrane, Coleman Hawkins (ts); Ray Copeland (t); Gigi Gryce (as); Wilbur Ware (b); Art Blakey, Shadow Wilson (d). New York, April, June and July 1957.
Number One Essentials 291047
Sam “Lightnin'” Hopkins: The Rooster Crowed In England
The Rooster Crowed In England was actually recorded in Houston, Texas in 1959, several years before Hopkins made his first journey across the Atlantic and later debuted in London as part of the 1964 International American Folk Blues Festival tour. By the time he recorded the earliest tracks on the album (Met The Blues At The Corner and Goin’ To Galveston), both of which highlight his lesser-known piano skills, Hopkins was already in his 40s and a seasoned performer. His character and musical approach are vividly evident here – a laid-back style of singing and playing that feels effortless, a rich and expressive voice and a fondness for spontaneous, sometimes unpredictable introductions. His unique finger-picking guitar style blends driving rhythms with flowing melodic lines.
His agile technique made even the most intricate boogie riffs sound effortless, while his instinct for improvising lyrics to suit the moment helped establish him as a captivating blues vocalist. A highly prolific songwriter, he drew on themes of Southern life, romantic hardship and earthy humour, delivering them through a blend of rich, soulful singing and a conversational, talking-blues style. His playing carried an easy warmth and looseness yet always retained the emotional tension and depth at the heart of the blues.
This reissue features the complete album with two additional bonus tracks (Bring Me My Shotgun and Back To New Orleans), accompanied by original artwork and liner notes.
Discography
Hello England!; Beggin’ Up And Down The Streets; When The Saints Go Marchin’ In; Hard Headed Children; Dig Me In The Morning; Have You Ever Seen A One-Eyed Woman Cry?; Black Snake; Met The Blues At The Corner; Bring Me My Shotgun – How Many Days Must I Wait?; If You Ever Been Mistreated; Back To Arkansas; Children’s Boogie; Blues For Queen Elizabeth; Goin’ To Galveston; Back To New Orleans
Sam “Lightnin'” Hopkins (v, g, p); Leonard Gaskin (b); Belton Evans (d). Texas and New Jersey, 1954, 1959 and 1960.
Blues Joint 8038
