Carmen McRae - Carmen Sings Monk
(Click here)
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Artist: Carmen McRaeEdition: Music CD
Format: Original recording remastered
Published: 2001
CD Release Date: 2001-09-25
Music Label: RCA
Soundtracks:
- Get It Straight
- Dear Ruby
- It's Over Now
- Monkery's The Blues
- You Know Who
- Little Butterfly
- Listen To Monk
- How I Wish
- Man, That Was A Dream
- 'Round Midnight
- Still We Dream
- Suddenly
- Looking Back
- Suddenly (Alternate Version)
- Get It Straight (Alternate Version)
- 'Round Midnight (Alternate Version)
- Listen To Monk (Alternate Take)
- Man, That Was A Dream (Alternate Take)
Free Music Notes for Carmen Sings Monk
Free Music Review: I can't see how this could be improved upon
Hit: 5 Stars
Putting lyrics to Monk's songs is a bit like putting lyrics to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. It can be done, but probably it will never be a perfect fit. Sally Swisher, Abbey Lincoln, Mike Ferro, Bernie Hanighen, and Jon Hendricks put words to Monk's be-bop tunes that appear on this album. The main benefit is that the words provide Carmen McRae something to wrap her vocal chords around. And that's enough. All of McRae's strengths as a vocalist are in evidence here -- spontaneity, dynamic and tonal range, phrasing, joy, intellect. She takes control of these songs, and they are in good hands.
Among the other virtues of this album:
1. McRae doesn't hog the stage. Everybody gets chances to solo, and the solos are very easy to take. McRae gets her licks in too, with a bit of scatting, in moderation.
2. Generally the song lengths are kept moderately short. They don't wear out the theme or generate listener fatigue. The solos don't wander off into neverland. Each player presents a tasty little piece, and then the next guy gets a turn.
3. Two live cuts here are fantastic, with old Monk alumnus Charlie Rouse on sax. The studio cuts are no less spontaneous and inspired.
Any moderately knowledgeable jazz fan will know these songs, because they've been covered endlessly. But McRae and her band present these songs in a most accessible way, light, with humor, dynamics, variety -- very easy to take and a treat for all but the most snobbish.
I only have a few other recordings of Carmen McRae, but this one tops anything I've heard. What a crowning achievement for her career!
For the cheapskates, I should note that the original release of this album, now out of print, is available as of this writing, for around $2. Carmen Sings MonkDon't deprive yourself of this joyful celebration of Monk's best.
Jazz Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in My Ever-Expanding Jazz Obsession Part 2
Gene Ammons - Groove BluesRelease date: 1992-10-19; Music CD
Best price: $8.48
Price in other shops:
Johnny Griffin - Johnny Griffin SextetRelease date: 1994-04-30; Music CD
Best price: $6.95
Price in other shops:
Jaki Byard - On the Spot!Release date: 1999-11-02; Music CD
Best price: $3.99
Price in other shops:
Cab Calloway - Best of the Big BandsRelease date: 2008-03-01; Music CD
Best price: $3.39
Price in other shops:
Henry Threadgill's Zooid - Up Popped the Two LipsRelease date: 2001-11-13; Music CD
Best price: $11.98
Price in other shops:
Henry Threadgill - Everybody's Mouth's a BookRelease date: 2001-11-13; Music CD
Best price: $11.48
Price in other shops:
Matthew Shipp - Circular TempleRelease date: 1994-12-20; Music CD
Best price: $19.98
Last Exit - K?lnRelease date: 2005-07-12; Music CD
Best price: $11.17
Price in other shops:
Charlie Hunter Quartet - Ready...Set...Shango!Release date: 1996-05-28; Music CD
Best price: $11.27
Price in other shops:
Duke Ellington - Blues in OrbitRelease date: 2004-07-27; Music CD
Best price: $13.82
Top Rated Albums
Cannonball Adderley - Somethin' ElseRelease date: 1999-03-09; Music CD
Best price: $7.27
Price in other shops:
The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time OutRelease date: 1997-03-25; Music CD
Best price: $5.77
Price in other shops:
Hank Jones, Roberta Gambarini - You Are ThereRelease date: 2008-02-12; Music CD
Best price: $10.97
Price in other shops:
Carmen McRae - Here to StayRelease date: 1992-03-17; Music CD
Best price: $9.89
Price in other shops:
Cannonball Adderley, Nancy Wilson w - Nancy Wilson & Cannonball AdderleyRelease date: 1993-02-09; Music CD
Best price: $7.78
Price in other shops:
Betty Carter, Carmen McRae - The Carmen McRae-Betty Carter Duets (Live at the Great American Music Hall)Release date: 1996-01-30; Music CD
Best price: $9.48
Price in other shops:
Carmen McRae - 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Carmen McRaeRelease date: 2004-08-24; Music CD
Best price: $6.07
Price in other shops:
Carmen McRae - Carmen McRae Sings Great American SongwritersRelease date: 1993-10-12; Music CD
Best price: $6.88
Price in other shops:
Herbie Hancock - River: The Joni Letters (with Bonus Tracks) - Amazon.com ExclusiveRelease date: 2007-09-25; Music CD
Best price: $12.99
Price in other shops:
Carmen McRae - The Great American SongbookRelease date: 1990-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $5.48
Price in other shops: