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.
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)."
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); 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.
Track listing All compositions by Thelonious Monk except where indicated.
Side 1 'Round About Midnight Evidence [originally listed as "Reflections"] Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Jerome Kern) Well You Needn't
Side 2 Reflections [originally listed as "Portrait Of An Ermite"] We See [originally listed as "Manganése"] Eronel Off Minor
2017 Sony expanded release Source: Introduction by André Francis 0:52 Evidence 3:05 Smoke Gets in Your Eyes 3:27 Hackensack 3:04 'Round Midnight 5:18 Eronel 2:34 Off Minor 2:34 Well, You Needn't 3:28 Portrait of an Ermite (Reflections) 5:00 Manganese (We See) 2:36 Announcement (Presenter – Jacques Souplet) 1:31 Well, You Needn't (Live At Salle Pleyel, 6/1/1954) 6:02 'Round Midnight (Live At Salle Pleyel, 6/1/1954) 5:18 Off Minor (Live At Salle Pleyel, 6/1/1954) 5:10 Hackensack / Epistrophy (Live At Salle Pleyel, 6/1/1954) 3:32 '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)
References