Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers with Thelonious Monk Customer Review: I’ve never liked this record much
I’m not a fan of Bill Hardman at all; and there are other versions of “I Mean You” and “Evidence” recorded by Monk and Blakey that are much better than this. The guys seems to be coasting on this record.
Customer Review: Blakey + Monk=A good combination
Teaming up Monk with The Jazz Messengers was an excellent idea, and this album is a fine addition to the Blakey catalog. “I mean you” is a terrific tune and is almost as good as the original recording of it by Monk back in 1948 with Milt Jackson on vibes. Johnny Griffin’s tenor is lyrical though forceful, and I guess Monk remembered him from this date when he had Grif with him a year later at the Five Spot. I don’t particularly care for the tune “Evidence,” which kicks off the session, but all in all it’s a very good date.