Piano Solo (Thelonious Monk album) explained

Piano Solo is a 1954 album by jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, recorded in Paris, France, on June 4, 1954, originally for a radio broadcast.^{[1] [2]}

The original album was released on the French Disques Vogue label as a 10" LP. Several of the song titles were listed inaccurately on the original release, and Monk's first name included an extra 'o'. The material has been re-released over the years, under a number of titles, on GNP Crescendo and other labels. Some releases include "Hackensack" as an additional track, sometimes listed inaccurately as "Well You Needn't (take 2)."^[3]

A 2017 re-release by Sony contains all tracks from the original, but in recording order (now reported as being from Club d'Essai, Paris—this was the location of the recording studio);^[1] plus, for the first time, an announcement by André Francis. This edition also includes previously unreleased tracks from Monk's June 1 and 3, 1954 trio concerts at the Salle Pleyel, Paris.^[4]

Track listing

All compositions by Thelonious Monk except where indicated.

Side 1

1. 'Round About Midnight
2. Evidence [originally listed as "Reflections"]
3. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Jerome Kern)
4. Well You Needn't

Side 2

1. Reflections [originally listed as "Portrait Of An Ermite"]
2. We See [originally listed as "Manganése"]
3. Eronel
4. Off Minor

2017 Sony expanded release^[4]

1. Introduction by André Francis 0:52
2. Evidence 3:05
3. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes 3:27
4. Hackensack 3:04
5. 'Round Midnight 5:18
6. Eronel 2:34
7. Off Minor 2:34
8. Well, You Needn't 3:28
9. Portrait of an Ermite (Reflections) 5:00
10. Manganese (We See) 2:36
11. Announcement (Presenter – Jacques Souplet) 1:31
12. Well, You Needn't (Live At Salle Pleyel, 6/1/1954) 6:02
13. 'Round Midnight (Live At Salle Pleyel, 6/1/1954) 5:18
14. Off Minor (Live At Salle Pleyel, 6/1/1954) 5:10
15. Hackensack / Epistrophy (Live At Salle Pleyel, 6/1/1954) 3:32
16. 'Round Midnight (Incomplete) (Live At Salle Pleyel, 6/3/1954) 2:56

Personnel

• Bass – Jean-Marie Ingrand (tracks 11 to 16)
• Drums – Jean-Louis Viale (tracks 11 to 15)
• Drums [Probably] – Gérard "Dave" Pochonet (tracks 16)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Jazz in France - Thelonious Monk. jazzinfrance.com.
2. Web site: Planer . Lindsay . Solo 1954 . AllMusic . 14 July 2018.
3. Web site: » Sessionography 1952-1954.
4. Web site: Thelonious Monk - Piano Solo. Discogs.