Thelonious Monk : 1965

Length: 65:04

  Ben Riley - Drums
  Charlie Rouse - Sax (Tenor)
  Larry Gales - Bass
  Thelonious Monk Quartet - Performer
  Thelonious Monk - Piano

Thelonious Monk is heard in a concert that was probably recorded for a radio broadcast at the somewhat cavernous Olympia in Paris, which causes a rather slow fade of his piano chords. He is joined by his long time tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, bassist Larry Gales and drummer Ben Riley. Nothing unusual takes place as the fare is standard for Monk : long versions of 'Evidence,' 'Blue Monk,' and 'Four in One,' a lengthy exploration of the old standard 'Sweet and Lovely,' plus a brief (by Monk's standards) excursion into 'Rhythm-A-Ning' and the obligatory sign-off theme of 'Epistrophy.' There are some minor sound problems due to some dropouts in the decades-old master tape, but Monk fans will enjoy this release, as well as the concert recorded the following day, which is available on a separate second volume from Malaco Jazz. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide