There are only two pianists I've ever heard who are talented enough to play Monk's material without trivializing it and yet sounding completely like themselves as they do it! Jessica Williams and Don Pullen!! Here, enjoy the phenomenal Don Pullen performing my favorite Monk composition - Round Midnight.
Well don't forget Bud! That Bud always sounded like Bud goes without saying, and Bud understood Monk's music VERY well....they were best friends! I can't post links here, but his 'Round Midnight is classic, and he has an early trio recording of Off Minor which is fantastic.
Freaking BRILLIANT! Pullen was a monster who never received the recognition he deserved. This is a brilliant interpretation of Monk. It retains the essential quality of Monk's conception, while expanding into the distinctive range of Pullen. Wonderful stuff. Thanks much for sharing this.
I was privileged to see Don Pullen play several times in the '80s when I lived in NYC. The news of his death hit me hard. He seemed like such a force of life, flowing, inevitable, vibrant. Cut down too soon.
There are only two pianists I've ever heard who are talented enough to play Monk's material without trivializing it and yet sounding completely like themselves as they do it! Jessica Williams and Don Pullen!! Here, enjoy the phenomenal Don Pullen performing my favorite Monk composition - Round Midnight.
1953jazzman 1 year ago
@1953jazzman um. try bill evans. his bemsha swing is DEFINITELY very bill evans and is in no way trivial.
thephlebotomist 10 months ago
Well don't forget Bud! That Bud always sounded like Bud goes without saying, and Bud understood Monk's music VERY well....they were best friends! I can't post links here, but his 'Round Midnight is classic, and he has an early trio recording of Off Minor which is fantastic.
petezilla 9 months ago
Freaking BRILLIANT! Pullen was a monster who never received the recognition he deserved. This is a brilliant interpretation of Monk. It retains the essential quality of Monk's conception, while expanding into the distinctive range of Pullen. Wonderful stuff. Thanks much for sharing this.
jazhound 1 year ago
This is a great version, thanks for making me aware of Don Pullen!
petezilla 1 year ago
nice ! ですね.
maidoodesu 1 year ago
Pullen was really dependable. Great sensitivity and clarity whatever the material. Not that easy to find today.
federicomompou 2 years ago
I was privileged to see Don Pullen play several times in the '80s when I lived in NYC. The news of his death hit me hard. He seemed like such a force of life, flowing, inevitable, vibrant. Cut down too soon.
markovchaney1950 2 years ago
@markovchaney1950
He was such an evolved human being--irreplaceable.
Keitarts 1 year ago
@Keitarts stay tuned. The next Bootleg's series is dedicated to Don.
barrtok 1 year ago
Thanks for posting this one. It's a revelation. Don was the greatest visionary and innovator since...well ... um... Monk.
NunzOnDrugs 2 years ago
Playing Monk, but still sounding like Pullen. Great stuff!
johnb696 2 years ago
Has any pianist understood so well Monk's idiom without descending into pastiche? Don Pullen - one of the greatest and sorely missed.
lenniethedogsparty 2 years ago 2