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Thelonious Monk — Criss-Cross
Album: Criss-Cross
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1371









Released: 1963
Length: 4:40
Plays (last 30 days): 0
(Instrumental)
Comments (210)add comment
Cool man, real cool!
Ya think Jimi H, the Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna,  Quicksilver, etc. listened to this crazy cat stuff?

Replace the horns with guitars and the piano with a 2nd drum kit and ya get  psychedelic music from the 1960s.  
 ExpatLarry wrote:

I had a speech going through my head about what jazz means to me, but I'll leave it at "I'm not ALWAYS in the mood for it, but there is an awful lot of it I 'love' and appreciate, including this. Thanks for playing it.


Cool!  Save the speech and JUST LISTEN!  ...GREAT TUNE!!  Thanx RP!  
 TerryS wrote:

I was introduced to the Colonial Tavern in 1966 and went weekly to see the rotation of star acts, then in '67 I saw Thelonious & Co and didn't like  TM for the first set, then something like a sea change happened to my brain. I was done for.
Been a fan ever since.



Cool story.  Thank You for sharing it.
I was introduced to the Colonial Tavern in 1966 and went weekly to see the rotation of star acts, then in '67 I saw Thelonious & Co and didn't like  TM for the first set, then something like a sea change happened to my brain. I was done for.
Been a fan ever since.
the birth of trippy
 Wizzuvvoz wrote:

I have come down from my ladder to check what was playing twice now.  Once for a blues song and then for this.  I'm not an industrial strength fan of either one.  I had already given this one a 10 but I didn't remember it was TM.  So that was kind of a wasted trip.  If I don't get this kitchen painted in time to go to my little daughter's Easter egg hunt I will have my ass handed to me by my wife.  So I hope Bill plays some junk for awhile.  Domestic bliss.....



Best comment ever!!!
I had a speech going through my head about what jazz means to me, but I'll leave it at "I'm not ALWAYS in the mood for it, but there is an awful lot of it I 'love' and appreciate, including this. Thanks for playing it.
 Jakethemuss wrote:

Hitler didn't like jazz you know - just saying.  On the other hand he liked the VW Beetle.


Yes, he helped design it
 sfyi2001 wrote:
JAZZ - 5 guys in the same band, each playing a different song
 
You may be thinking of Arcade Fire?
 MoonDweazel wrote:
I was curious who the saxophonist was; so, I looked him up.  Charlie Rouse is apparently best known for his time in Monk's Quartet, but he certainly holds his own on this piece.  The ability of these musicians to play together on such an edgy tune is amazing.  Or, as Allmusic puts it, "The title cut also reflects the ability of the four musicians to maintain melodic intricacies that are at times so exigent it seems cruel that Monk would have expected a musician of any caliber to pull them off."

Many of these bop musicians set the virtuosity bar pretty high, and I don't think that its that hard to appreciate.  But, I was born before this album came out, so maybe that makes a difference.  {#Cheers}
 

I was born after this was released. In college, I got into Monk, Coltrane and others. My musical tastes became eclectic during that time. I think it's just openmindedness that enables me to enjoy so many genres and styles of music...which is why I listen to RP!
As a musician this is so hard to play, but as a listener it's sublime.
I still can't stand Jazz
Only time I ever use the PSD button
 Shmelo wrote:
Glorious funk of Monk.

 
Felonious Funk!*
c.

*(actual band)
 aspicer wrote:
How is it possible the overall rating is just 7.3 - REALLY RP listeners?!!!  
 

Well, I gave it a 1, and that was generous.
Great stuff .... but, am I the only one who thinks that the sax work on this is  bloody awful? Sounds at times like the reed is split or something. I don't play the sax but surely it's not supposed to sound as annoying as this?
Gave monk a nine
Simply brilliant.
 haresfur wrote:
A jazz musician friend said, "Not everyone who likes jazz likes Monk, but everyone who likes Monk likes jazz."
 
And if you like Monk are you a Monkee?
Monk and Beefheart always help me clear out the cobwebs.
After 70 years, I still don't get jazz. I must be missing a gene. 3.
A jazz musician friend said, "Not everyone who likes jazz likes Monk, but everyone who likes Monk likes jazz."
 Jakethemuss wrote:

Hitler didn't like jazz you know - just saying.  On the other hand he liked the VW Beetle.


 
Evidently 'ol Adolfy didn't much like a lot of things.
 sfyi2001 wrote:



                                    JAZZ - 5 guys in the same band, each playing a different song ~



 
Great description....but mostly....it works! 
Criss-Cross!!!


Can't help but think of Throw Mama From The Train whenever I hear this....
Bet this got a lot of "this is NOT music" comments back in the day! {#Sunny}
If you would add Ornette Coleman on trumpet into this band, people's heads would explode!
"And now for something completely different."  Thanks Bill.
Dig it *snap*
Thank you RP for reminding me why I hate Jazz 
Love it—Smooth and cool-
Absolute killer. 
Really, a 7.1 overall?! This is brilliant!  "9"



                                    JAZZ - 5 guys in the same band, each playing a different song ~



 maxvonevil wrote:
NO! Just...No!
PSD! {#Fire}

 
Max evil, your hair is on fire. Is it global warming?
Can remember hearing this as a youngster in my parents living room on the small phonograph.  I like to think that exposure to this type of music at that young age left me open to the wide variety of music I've since come to appreciate, and which by the way, Bill and Rebecca deliver to us regularly.
NO! Just...No!
PSD! {#Fire}
 Skydog wrote:
8 bumped to 9

 
You're getting there.
8 bumped to 9
 meauclaire wrote:
With Jazz music it is either love it or hate it.  You can add me to the hate it column.

 
Hitler didn't like jazz you know - just saying.  On the other hand he liked the VW Beetle.


 VH1 wrote:

Yepp! {#Clap}

 
Or Monk of funk....like it
 Shmelo wrote:

Glorious funk of Monk.

 



 
Yepp! {#Clap}
 meauclaire wrote:
With Jazz music it is either love it or hate it....
 
 There are more than enough false dichotomies being spread around (especially in an election year); let's try to keep binary functions in mathematics and programming where they belong.

Glorious funk of Monk.

 


As a friend said, "Not everyone who likes jazz likes Monk, but everyone who likes Monk LOVES jazz."
Thelonious Monk is the BOMB!  I realize not everyone thinks so though...
"Cootchie Cootchie!!!"


Jazz isn't Marmite.
I like Marmite!
But i don't hate Jazz,
(don't love it either, though)
This was released in the year i was born, apparently.
Think its probably aged better though!!

I always wondered if it was Thelonious Monk being referred to in the first line of Steely Dans' Midnight Cruiser - anybody know?

A quick scan for the lyrics has the name spelt in 3 different ways and none of them say "Thelonious, my old friend"
so i'm probably wrong (again) . . .
I was curious who the saxophonist was; so, I looked him up.  Charlie Rouse is apparently best known for his time in Monk's Quartet, but he certainly holds his own on this piece.  The ability of these musicians to play together on such an edgy tune is amazing.  Or, as Allmusic puts it, "The title cut also reflects the ability of the four musicians to maintain melodic intricacies that are at times so exigent it seems cruel that Monk would have expected a musician of any caliber to pull them off."

Many of these bop musicians set the virtuosity bar pretty high, and I don't think that its that hard to appreciate.  But, I was born before this album came out, so maybe that makes a difference.  {#Cheers}
I like it.
Just hoping that the lift maintenance guy will arrive soon, or I will get crazy in this tin can. {#Eek}
Thelonious Monk has always made music I can greatly appreciate without liking all that much.
 meauclaire wrote:
With Jazz music it is either love it or hate it.  You can add me to the hate it column.

 
I kind of like it {#Wink}
Biscobret wrote:
I just don't get how someone can hate this.  Really -- i'm not being a jerk, and I understand that jazz isn't for everyone, but damn -- just chill out for a moment, & listen to those sounds - those wonderful sounds...
I just don't get the hate -- crazy...                                                             {#Beat}

  
 
rdo wrote:

I am glad you feel that way.  It does make me want to listen more.  I just dont connect with Jazz very much.  I dont really hate it, I just like to point out that we dont all love it
 
 
Stuff like this divides massively.  Personally I can't bear the stuff, but what do I know?  It is seen as heresy in some places to say that jazz is crap, but each to their own I say.  I am glad there is so much variety on offer, plus no Westlife or Michael Buble.
The Loneliest Monk
Haven't heard anything by this guy in years.  Whatever became of the Monk, the Monk, the Monk? {#Mrgreen}
 dpvest wrote:
Outstanding...

 
..... it certainly is 
 Biscobret wrote:
I just don't get how someone can hate this.  Really -- i'm not being a jerk, and I understand that jazz isn't for everyone, but damn -- just chill out for a moment, & listen to those sounds - those wonderful sounds...
I just don't get the hate -- crazy...                                                             {#Beat}

 
I am glad you feel that way.  It does make me want to listen more.  I just dont connect with Jazz very much.  I dont really hate it, I just like to point out that we dont all love it
I just don't get how someone can hate this.  Really -- i'm not being a jerk, and I understand that jazz isn't for everyone, but damn -- just chill out for a moment, & listen to those sounds - those wonderful sounds...
I just don't get the hate -- crazy...                                                             {#Beat}
pleeeeese stop this :-((((
indeededo...{#Dance}
 meauclaire wrote:
With Jazz music it is either love it or hate it.  You can add me to the hate it column.
 
It goes nowhere and requires a lot of time to arrive there.
Apropos, as either Mr. Criss or Mr. Cross died this past week.  Yes, you remember; the 70's child rappers wearing clothes backwards.

More to the subject, anything by Mr. T. Monk is welcome on my speakers.
Hey some of you, lighten up!  I feel this Monk piece is enlightening, and transfixing in ways, not the dreary dreck from the old Phil Schaap radio days
 meauclaire wrote:
With Jazz music it is either love it or hate it.  You can add me to the hate it column.

 
i agree,jazz is boring{#Yell}
With Jazz music it is either love it or hate it.  You can add me to the hate it column.
 Pedro1874 wrote:
Oh yeah!  More Monk please Bill {#Sunny}{#Bananapiano}
 

Thank god you said Monk & not Monkies!!!
I just can't stand that crap....
Oh yeah!  More Monk please Bill {#Sunny}{#Bananapiano}
 OHMish wrote:
Not the best track to introduce someone to jazz
 
Perhaps not, but a great intro to one of the undisputed jazz giants.
 DaveInVA wrote:
Cool, some good ol' Phelonious Ponk
 
Possibly, but never Felonius Fonk, 'cos he never stole nottink from others.
How is it possible the overall rating is just 7.3 - REALLY RP listeners?!!!  
 aspicer wrote:
NOW we're talkin' - I mean groovin'!!!  More Monk!
 
Geez....take the words out, why don't ya!   {#Drummer}
NOW we're talkin' - I mean groovin'!!!  More Monk!
Outstanding...
Not the best track to introduce someone to jazz
who can stop that please !   "that's muzak to my ears".....can't stand it. I'll be back in quarter.
(In my best British accent...)

"And now for something completely different...."  I wonder if a soundbite of that is available somewhere that Bill could use.

(Of course, adding that kind of production work would take some of the personal touch from RP.)

Ahh, I love Monty Python.  Too bad the wife just doesn't get it.

I love Monk, however I gotta say this particular one - not so much - kinda fingernails on chalkboard for me... 
I love Monk SO MUCH!
Liner notes on this album by the " Jazz Baroness".....Baroness de Koenigswarter.
Thelonious owed a lot to her.What a great story.
Wow! Just listening to this makes me feel like a cool cat..... I'm smoking in a dark bar somewhere, sipping on my martini, keeping time with my toe and nodding my head. Yes. 
Fats Waller on acid... I love it!
 BlueHeronDruid wrote:
BRUTAL seque from Camel - Rajaz!

I think I ruptured my pancreas! Do I need my pancreas?

 
Thank you for the funniest post I've seen in a long while.

Monk!!! Cool! {#Chillpill}
 BlueHeronDruid wrote:
BRUTAL seque from Camel - Rajaz!

I think I ruptured my pancreas! Do I need my pancreas?
 
BHD - {#Roflol} Thelonius Monk is another of those "acquired tastes."  I don't really like this type of jazz, although I respect anyone with the chops to perform it - it takes an awesome amount of talent, which he has in abundance.

And you should see a doctor soon about that ruptured pancreas. I've heard that if it gets ruptured, the fluids go straight to the left cerebral cortex and cause a person to grow antlers. {#Whistle}{#Wink}
It is so nice to hear some good, solid jazz first thing.  Thanks RP.
 Mandible wrote:
Is Thelonious Monk considered "avant-garde"??
 
In the 40s maybe . . . Excellent musician. Try his Live at Town Hall. Charlie Rouse: big time!
Is Thelonious Monk considered "avant-garde"??

 OTB writes:
He makes the wrong notes the right notes!
 
And perhaps even better than 'right.' {#Whistle} How can it be? {#Ask}
Cool, some good ol' Phelonious Ponk
Jungle_Jim wrote:
How do you describe Thelonius? Jazz meets Cubism? Thanks for playing this gem.
 

Melodious thunk.
 Jungle_Jim wrote:
How do you describe Thelonius? Jazz meets Cubism? Thanks for playing this gem.
 
He makes the wrong notes the right notes!

 Jungle_Jim wrote:
How do you describe Thelonius? Jazz meets Cubism? Thanks for playing this gem.
 
Years ago I was in a record store and had a Monk album in my hand that another customer noticed.  He came over and said he had been told that he should get some Monk and wanted to know what he was like.  Before I could come up with any reasonable description a friend I was with said "He's sort of like Fats Waller on acid."  I've always liked that description.

How do you describe Thelonius? Jazz meets Cubism? Thanks for playing this gem.
if you like any sense of what "jazz" was like at its peak, for me it starts with this dude and miles...Monk has the wackiest sense of piano chording but the groove always works
BRUTAL seque from Camel - Rajaz!

I think I ruptured my pancreas! Do I need my pancreas?


 Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
I have come down from my ladder to check what was playing twice now.  Once for a blues song and then for this.  I'm not an industrial strength fan of either one.  I had already given this one a 10 but I didn't remember it was TM.  So that was kind of a wasted trip.  If I don't get this kitchen painted in time to go to my little daughter's Easter egg hunt I will have my ass handed to me by my wife.  So I hope Bill plays some junk for awhile.  Domestic bliss.....

 
I wouldn't worry about it, I'm sure he'll play some U2 and Stones pretty soon...{#Tongue-out} 

I have come down from my ladder to check what was playing twice now.  Once for a blues song and then for this.  I'm not an industrial strength fan of either one.  I had already given this one a 10 but I didn't remember it was TM.  So that was kind of a wasted trip.  If I don't get this kitchen painted in time to go to my little daughter's Easter egg hunt I will have my ass handed to me by my wife.  So I hope Bill plays some junk for awhile.  Domestic bliss.....

You know, that's what I like most about RP. From Pearl Jam to B.B. King to Little Feat to Monk in less than 30 minutes! Good times! {#Wave}

 Dog_Ear wrote:

Perhaps you should lookup "eclectic". Or just send them YOUR preferred playlist. 
 

Perhaps if someone expressing a mild preference about music is so distasteful to you, you should lock yourself in a room alone and talk to yourself.

And perhaps you should also learn that look up is two words, not one. Now run along while the grownups speak, there's a good boy.


 stevetheshoe wrote:
Not surprised that the closed minded don't get this one.
 

Too harsh.

This was the first Jazz CD I bought — I had heard the name and wanted to learn more about Jazz. I didn't like it much at the time but as  I heard more jazz by other artists, I came around to liking it.

So I'd say that Monk isn't a good entry point into the world of jazz and if people don't get him, that's cool.


 holborne wrote:

I have to say, I wish RP wouldn't play jazz.

 
Perhaps you should lookup "eclectic". Or just send them YOUR preferred playlist. 

I have to say, I wish RP wouldn't play jazz.


LOVE
love
Uber Love!
no comment   -  10.
All I need is some silk pajamas and a martini.
wferrier wrote:
Another interesting thing. Thelonius was schizophrenic. He did a lot of physical movement peculiar to those who suffer from this illness. The beats didn't understand it, thought he was just acting cool so they imitated him! To this day wacky musicians still do some of those movements—because it's cool.
Yes, and the schizo movements are most pronounced when Monk assumes his "Dallas Cheerleader" persona and catapults around the piano like a lithe little Texan babe. If you ever see his protégés doing the splits, you can confidently say, "He got that from Monk!"
wferrier wrote:
Another interesting thing. Thelonius was schizophrenic. He did a lot of physical movement peculiar to those who suffer from this illness. The beats didn't understand it, thought he was just acting cool so they imitated him! To this day wacky musicians still do some of those movements—because it's cool. You can see some of this in Clint Eastwood's film on Monk.
Like Joe Cocker/John Belushi!!! Right!?!?
Virtuosity!
Pyro wrote:
I appreciate this perspective. It certainly takes a more trained ear to appreciate than the "big band" music of the era. You were much more helpful than stevetheshoe. But then, he's a shoe.
Another interesting thing. Thelonius was schizophrenic. He did a lot of physical movement peculiar to those who suffer from this illness. The beats didn't understand it, thought he was just acting cool so they imitated him! To this day wacky musicians still do some of those movements—because it's cool. You can see some of this in Clint Eastwood's film on Monk.
kazuma wrote:
Back about 20 years ago, I had a Monk tribute album with covers by bands like NRBQ, and I quite liked it. I wonder if it's out on CD now ... I don't even remember what it was called any more. Edit: Ah, here it is.
I have that on vinyl and had forgotten about it. I'll have to go check it out again!
wferrier wrote:
Monk and like minded musicians were put off by the popularity of Benny Goodman type jazz, so they put the music in overdrive, intellectualizing it to such a degree specifically to lose the masses. It worked. Monk is probably rightly called the father of Rock & Roll, he elevated jazz but it is no longer economically lucrative. You need a degree in Bebop just to understand it; it may be worth the effort. . .
I appreciate this perspective. It certainly takes a more trained ear to appreciate than the "big band" music of the era. You were much more helpful than stevetheshoe. But then, he's a shoe.
stevetheshoe wrote:
Not surprised that the closed minded don't get this one.
I hope you aren't referring to me. I'm as open minded about music as anyone I know, and those of us who don't "get it" don't need your judgement. That said, I do appreciate the post that helped me to understand more about Thelonius....
Pyro wrote:
I know Monk was highly respected, and I'm sure this is "great jazz", but I just don't get it. Perhaps I'm too analytical and linear thinking....
Monk and like minded musicians were put off by the popularity of Benny Goodman type jazz, so they put the music in overdrive, intellectualizing it to such a degree specifically to lose the masses. It worked. Monk is probably rightly called the father of Rock & Roll, he elevated jazz but it is no longer economically lucrative. You need a degree in Bebop just to understand it; it may be worth the effort. . .
Not surprised that the closed minded don't get this one.
I know Monk was highly respected, and I'm sure this is "great jazz", but I just don't get it. Perhaps I'm too analytical and linear thinking....
sugarbaby wrote:
more Monk! and Coltrane and Bill Evans too
There's a lot of et cetera in this!