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Underground was Monk’s final quartet recording, but instead of sounding like a last gasp,
the modern jazz pioneer proved he had one truly great record left in him. The set kicks off with a
rousing version of
“Thelonious,” an old tune that has lost none of its freshness over the decades. However, the real
treat is that for once on a Columbia release, four brand new songs are featured, all of which are
worthy entries into Monk’s vast catalog of off-kilter melodies. The light-hearted “Boo Boo’s Birthday”
and “Green Chimneys” both feature tricky chord progressions and quirky beginnings – the latter has
a 21-bar head – whereas “Raise Four” makes judicious use of the flatted fifth. The aptly-titled “Ugly
Beauty” is a haunting ballad in waltz time featuring excellent soloing from Rouse. The only other
older tune played is “In Walked Bud,” where Jon Hendricks steps in to add vocals.
The best improvement to the reissue is not the improved sound, however, but that each track
has been restored to its original running time. The truncated versions did an injustice to the quartet,
whose interplay and expertise with Monk’s style is more perfectly captured here. Perhaps the title
was a joke, for Monk had not been “underground” for years. As a final recording, this CD easily
ranks with Monk’s best.
For related reviews, see
Combing the Columbia/Legacy Catalog.
~ David Rickert
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Track Listing: 1. Thelonious 2. Ugly Beauty 3. Raise Four 4. Boo Boo’s Birthday 5. Easy Street 6. Green Chimneys
7. In Walked Bud 8. Ugly Beauty (alt. take) 9. Boo Boo’s Birthday (alt take) 10. Thelonious (alt. take).
Personnel: Thelonious Monk-piano; Charlie Rouse-tenor saxophone; Larry Gales-bass; Ben Riley-drums; Jon
Hendricks-vocals (#7).
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