JOHNNY GRIFFIN AND EDDIE 'LOCKJAW' DAVIS QUINTET - Lookin' At Monk (1961-1998) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | APE (image+.cue), lossless

Originally recorded in 1961, this tribute program features two of the best tenor saxophonists of the period along with pianist Junior Mance and a rhythm section composed of bassist Larry Gales and drummer Ben Riley (both of whom would later work as Thelonious Monk sidemen). If the program seems a bit obvious ("'Round Midnight," "Epistrophy," "Well, You Needn't," etc.), bear in mind that this was only the second all-Monk program anyone had recorded and several of these numbers had yet to attain standard status. The playing is uniformly inventive and witty (both required attributes when approaching this repertoire), and Mance is particularly to be commended for maintaining a graceful and elegant attack and not trying to praise Monk by imitation. If there's a complaint to be made here, it's with the tempos, which sometimes verge on the headlong. The arrangement of "Well, You Needn't" suffers from too much forward momentum, as does "I Mean You." On the other hand, the group's vigorous approach to "Rhythm-A-Ning" (and the honking two-note tag they append to the head) is perfect. Rick Anderson  
Tracklist :
1     In Walked Bud 4'34
Thelonious Monk
2     Well, You Needn't 5'31
Thelonious Monk
3     Ruby, My Dear 4'39
Thelonious Monk
4     Rhythm-A-Ning 3'53
Thelonious Monk
5     Epistrophy 8'36
Kenny Clarke / Thelonious Monk
6     'Round Midnight 5'26
Bernie Hanighen / Thelonious Monk / Cootie Williams
7     Stickball (I Mean You) 5'52
Coleman Hawkins / Thelonious Monk
Credits :
Bass – Larry Gales
Drums – Ben Riley
Piano – Junior Mance
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Remastered By – Joe Tarantino
Tenor Saxophone – Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (pistas: 1 to 5, 7), Johnny Griffin (pistas: 1, 2, 4 to 7)