Original image by There Stands the Glass.
I revere Thelonious Monk. So why didn’t I join the rapturous chorus of giddy anticipation for Palo Alto? The release of the live 1968 recording is widely hailed as one of the most momentous jazz events of the year. For starters, I already own live sets by Monk’s quartet of saxophonist Charlie Rouse, bassist Larry Gales and Ben Riley. It seemed silly to flip my lid over another session. The pages dedicated to the unlikely high school gig are among the most interesting sections of Robin D.G. Kelley’s essential but often tedious 2009 biography of the icon. The backstory is further explored in a podcast promoting Palo Alto that’s almost as interesting as the actual recording. Still, any additional documentation of the singular American genius is a cause for celebration. I suppose I’m finally singing from the same hymnbook after all.
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I provide context for We The People’s new album in my review of Misunderstood at Plastic Sax.