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Thelonious Monk: I Surrender, Dear

Rating: 97/100 (learn more)

Brilliant Corners presents some of Monk's finest work in a combo setting, but don't ignore the album's one solo piano track. This version of "I Surrender, Dear" is vintage Monk. Here we have hints of Harlem stride mixed with whole-tone runs, acerbic chords that hang above the piano sounding board like a worrisome fog, and that sputtering stop-and-start sensibility which always seems to threaten to derail the song, yet never really does. There are a couple points when I feel that Monk is about ready to walk away from the piano in mid-track, go outside for a breather, and then try another take. But no, he's just thrown me a head fake, and keeps on moving to the destination only he knows, and the rest of us must accept on blind faith. All I can say is "I Surrender, Oh Dear!"

Reviewer: Ted Gioia

Tags: i surrender dear · riverside · solo piano