Monk's Music

[Tom 1960]

I've been thinking recently about seriously beefing up on my rather paltry collection of Monk releases. I probably own a half dozen releases at best. I figured a good starting point would be Monk's Music. Now the question is this. A friend has told me I should seek out the K2 version rather than the standard issue which is widely available. He claims the K2 far exceeds the standard issue. I've looked on Amazon Marketplace and the prices range for a new copy from $21.99 to upwards of nearly $70. Normally I wont spend over 20 bucks for a single disc and I'm certainly not going to spend anything close to 70! I guess what I'm asking is it really that big of a difference sound quality wise and would it be worth spending the extra cash when I could buy a good deal of Monk's other releases at the same time?

[jazzbo]

Okay, if I'm recollecting properly, there's argument ove whether the stereo or mono versions of some of this material sounds better than the other.

I have both, I think both sound cool. I like the stereo, many don't, and think only the mono sounds "right."

You can still buy the Super Audio CD hybrid at reasonable prices (half.com, etc.) Sound is very good. Stereo version there I believe.

It's a good time to get Monk material, because a lot of the Columbia titles are now really cheap. These are excellent reissues in all ways, now a real bargain.

[Chuck Nessa]

You can get a used K2 for about $13 on amazon. Had every available edition since this session means a bunch to me. IMHO, the K2 (mono tape) kicks ass.

[Teasing the Korean]

Okay, if I'm recollecting properly, there's argument ove whether the stereo or mono versions of some of this material sounds better than the other.

The album where he's in the wagon is way better in mono. The bass sounds off-mic in the stereo version. The mono has much more presence.

[WorldB3]

Tom,

If you want to go cheap and have great sound go for the

complete 1957 Riverside recordings of Monk and Trane

2 dsic set, you not only get Monk's Music but also some other goodies like the trio version of Monks Mood and Coltrane leading a blues in Blues For Tomorrow.

The re-msater sounded good to my ears and the price is hard to beat. Keepnews for the most part has interesting liner notes and rare for him he writes more about the music than him. He puts to rest the myth about trane coming in late on Well You Needn't.

Edited May 17, 2009 by WorldB3