John Stetch, EXPONENTIALLY MONK

[Joe]

http://www.justin-time.com/works/just2062/

Still processing this one, but I thought it was worth mentioning. And I feel pretty confident that there will be some strong opinions on this one.

Yes, another Monk recital, but with a difference. Stetch radically re-arranges -- "Green Chimneys" is taken very briskly, a re-harmonized "Little Rootie Tootie", a version of "Ask Me Now" that also interpolates material that would not be out of place in a Bach partitia, a bustling and de-tuned "Evidence" -- or uses prepared instrument techniques ala Cage ("Well You Needn't") to "revive" these pieces. A few of the more memorable ballad melodies are played straight, and the pianist has the good sense to keep the perfomances very compact: the longest tune is "Criss Cross", at 7 + minutes.

I was really afraid when I first picked this up that it would be gimmicky or po-faced in the extreme, but I find the results rather pleasing. Yet I don't really feel the results are all that Monkian in spirit. Why I don't find that problematic is one of the things I'm still puzzling through.

Check it out.

Edited November 17, 2004 by Joe

[sheldonm]

http://www.justin-time.com/works/just2062/

Still processing this one, but I thought it was worth mentioning. And I feel pretty confident that there will be some strong opinions on this one.

Yes, another Monk recital, but with a difference. Stetch radically re-arranges -- "Green Chimneys" is taken very briskly, a re-harmonized "Little Rootie Tootie", a version of "Ask Me Now" that also interpolates material that would not be out of place in a Bach partitia, a bustling and de-tuned "Evidence" -- or uses prepared instrument techniques ala Cage ("Well You Needn't") to "revive" these pieces. A few of the more memorable ballad melodies are played straight, and the pianist has the good sense to keep the perfomances very compact: the longest tune is "Criss Cross", at 7 + minutes.

I was really afraid when I first picked this up that it would be gimmicky or po-faced in the extreme, but I find the results rather pleasing. Yet I don't really feel the results are all that Monkian in spirit. Why I don't find that problematic is one of the things I'm still puzzling through.

Check it out.

Joe,

I haven't heard this one yet, but did see John with Rufus Reid a couple weeks ago; fine player!

Mark

[dsgtrane]

I just listened to some samples at AMG. From what I heard it sounds to be one of the more bizarre takes on Monk I've heard.

Not acquinted with Stetch. Is this album a good place to start?

Edited November 19, 2004 by dsgtrane