This is an utterly fascinating
tribute
to the music of
Thelonious Monk
. Most of the selections feature the unusual trio of tenor saxophonist
Joe Lovano
, guitarist
Bill Frisell
(who with his wide range of original sounds is really a one-band band), and drummer
Paul Motian
. Tenor saxophonist
Dewey Redman
and pianist
Geri Allen
are guests on two songs apiece and fit in quite well with the sparse but very complete trio. Among the ten
Monk
songs explored, taken apart and given surprising treatment are
"Evidence,"
"Bye-Ya,"
"Ugly Beauty,"
and
"Trinkle Tinkle."
Recommended to open-eared listeners. ~ Scott Yanow