Artist......: Carmen McRae
Album.......: Carmen Sings Monk
Source......: CD
Label.......: Novus
Genre.......: Jazz
Tracks......: 15
Bitrate.....: 780 kbps avg
Playtime....: 01:05:59 (379.MB)
Rls date....: 2021-02-01
Store date..: 1990-00-00
Encoder.....: FLAC 1.3.1
Url.........: http://www.carmenmcrae.com/
01 Get It Straight (Straight, No Chaser) (Live) 3:58
02 Dear Ruby (Ruby, My Dear) 6:01
03 It's Over Now (Well, You Needn't) 5:28
04 Monkery's The Blues (Blue Monk) 4:56
05 You Know Who (I Mean You) 3:31
06 Little Butterfly (Pannonica) 5:15
07 Listen To Monk (Rhythm-A-Ning) 3:05
08 How I Wish (Ask Me Now) 4:56
09 Man, That Was A Dream (Monk's Dream) 2:55
10 'Round Midnight 6:32
11 Still We Dream (Ugly Beauty) 3:27
12 Suddenly (In Walked Bud) (Live) 3:41
13 Looking Back (Reflections) 5:35
14 Suddenly (In Walked Bud) 3:13
15 Get It Straight (Straight, No Chaser) 3:26
Carmen McRae, a good friend of Thelonious Monk, sang 13 of his songs (two
of which are also heard in different live versions) on this memorable
project. Half of the lyrics are by Jon Hendricks, while the remainder were
written by Abbey Lincoln ("Blue Monk"), Bernie Hanighen, Sally Swisher, or
Mike Ferro. On all but the two concert performances, McRae is assisted by
tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan, pianist Eric Gunnison, bassist George
Mraz, and drummer Al Foster; Mraz's solos are particularly impressive,
although everyone is in sensitive form. The live recordings give listeners
two more chances to acknowledge the uniqueness of tenor saxophonist Charlie
Rouse's tone. As for McRae, her phrasing has rarely sounded better than on
this classic set, and it is a particular pleasure to hear her interpret the
intelligent lyrics and unusual melodies. "Dear Ruby" ("Ruby, My Dear") and
"Listen to Monk" ("Rhythm-A-Ning") are among the high points of the
essential and very delightful CD. An inspired idea and one of the best
recordings of Carmen McRae's career.