When the two tough tenors waxed this record in 1961, the idea of a Thelonious Monk tribute was fresh, daring, and affectionate--not at all the overdone and uninspired exercise that it can often be decades later. Johnny Griffin had already been an integral part of Monk's late-1950s quartet; bassist Larry Gales and drummer Ben Riley would wind up joining Monk's band just three years later. The contrasting but compatible styles of the two leaders teach a valuable lesson in what makes Monk's music special: Davis offers soulful, blues-based, earthbound lines while Griffin tends toward feisty, soaring, far-reaching sounds, but both capture the essence of Monk's compositions. Pianist Junior Mance's chord-feeding isn't as jagged as Monk's, but is no less effective. As fiery as the five hot numbers are, the two ballads--Griffin on "'Round Midnight" and Davis on "Ruby, My Dear"--are just as impressive. Both Davis and Griffin are capable of having their own unique voices shine through while still upholding the spirit of Monk's ideas.
--Marc Greilsamer (Amazon.com)
Personnel:
Johnny Griffin, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (tenor saxophone)
Junior Mance (piano)
Larry Gales (bass)
Ben Riley (drums)
Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York, New York on February 7, 1961
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