Thelonious Monk Blue Note Sessions
Jazz pianist Thelonious Monk's first sessions as a bandleader were recorded between 1947 and 1952, and released on Blue Note records as a series of 78 RPM singles. These singles were then compiled in later years—with additional performances from the sessions—into long-playing album formats. As Monk's reputation and fame grew, the sessions were recompiled again and again into more complete configurations. This article details various releases of these sessions. The Sessions. The Blue Note recordings were made over the course of six sessions. "Versions" refers only to the number of  eventually-released performances; other takes may have been recorded. All compositions by Thelonious Monk unless otherwise noted. "recorded at WOR Studios, New York City" "recorded at WOR Studios, New York City" "recorded at WOR Studios, New York City" "recorded at Apex Studios, New York City" "recorded at WOR Studios, New York City" Session 6: May 30, 1952. "recorded at WOR Studios, New York City" Material from this session did not appear on the early 1950s Blue Note 10" LPs, which may indicate that they were recorded after preparation of the last of these albums. "Sixteen" and "I'll Follow You  remained unreleased until the 1980s. Singles. Singles released from the Blue Note sessions include the following: 1951-1952 series of 10-inch LPs. Section::::" (Blue Note LP 5002, 1951). Side 1: Side 2: The original 10 release does not include any recordings made after 1948. Section::::"" (Blue Note LP 5009, 1952). Side 1: Side 2: The original 10" release does not include any recordings from Monk's May 30, 1952 Blue Note session, which may indicate that the album was prepared (and maybe released) before that session took place. Section::::"Milt Jackson, Wizard of the Vibes" (Blue Note LP 5011, 1952 ). Side 1: Side 2: Tracks A1-A2, B1-B3 are from an April 7, 1952 session which does not feature Thelonious Monk. 1956 Series of 12 inch LPs (monochrome photo covers). Section::::"Milt Jackson and the Thelonious Monk Quintet" (Blue Note BLP-1509, 1956). Side 1: Side 2: Tracks A1-A5, B5 are from an April 7, 1952 session which does not feature Thelonious Monk. This LP marked the first release of the alternate takes of "Misterioso" and "Four In One." Section::::"" (Blue Note BLP-1510, 1956, yellow cover). Side 1: Side 2: This LP marked the first release of "Introspection." Side 2 : 1989 CD Recompilations. These CD releases use the cover art of the 1956 twelve inch LPs, but redistribute the performances between the volumes into a strict chronological order, with alternate takes immediately following the first-released takes. A 2-CD set called "The Complete Genius", featuring the 1956 yellow cover art, includes "all" of the Blue Note sessions (including July 2, 1948), ordered in a similar manner. Section::::"" (uses 1956 yellow cover). 1-6 recorded Oct 15, 1947 7-16 recorded Oct 24 1947 17-21 recorded Nov 21, 1947 Section::::"Milt Jackson and the Thelonious Monk Quintet" (uses 1956 red  cover). 10-17 recorded July 2, 1948 1-9 are from an April 7, 1952 session which does not feature Thelonious Monk. Section::::"" (uses 1956 red cover). 1-9 recorded July 23, 1951 10-18 recorded May 30, 1952 2001 CD Recompilations. The sessions were recompiled, under the same title, on CD in 2001 as part of the RVG series, remastered by Rudy Van Gelder from the original session lacquers. The cover art for the original 8-song 10 inch LPs was used, regardless of whether the specific tracks listed were actually included on the corresponding new volumes. While the  earlier CDs grouped all takes of each title together, the recompilation put the alternate takes at the end of each session. The July 2, 1948 session was released on Blue Note CD "Milt Jackson, Wizard of the Vibes", which also used its respective 1952 10-inch LP cover art. Section::::"" (2001). 1-6 recorded Oct 15, 1947 7-16 recorded Oct 24 1947 17-21 recorded Nov 21, 1947 Section::::"Milt Jackson, Wizard of the Vibes" (2001). 10-17 recorded July 2, 1948 1-9 are from an April 7, 1952 session which does not feature Thelonious Monk. Section::::"" (2001). 1 -9 recorded July 23, 1951 10-18 recorded May 30, 1952 Other Compilations in Brief. Section::::"The Complete Genius" (Blue Note 2 LP set, BN-LA 579-H2). 1976 compilation featuring all takes released in 1940s and 1950s. Sessions presented in this order: 3, 1, 2, 4, 6, 5. Section::::"The Complete Blue Note Recordings of Thelonious Monk" (Mosaic Records 4 LP Boxed Set, MR4-101). Limited edition 1983 set marked the first appearance of most of the alternate takes, and debuted the recordings of "Sixteen" and "I'll Follow You" from the May 30, 1952 session. Ordering is similar to later  Blue Note (Japan) 2-CD "Complete Genius". Section::::"The Complete Genius" (Blue Note Japan, 2 CD set). Similar in visual appearance and sequencing to the 1989 releases, combines "Genius of Modern Music" volumes 1 & 2, with the 1948 Milt Jackson section properly placed in-between. Features the yellow "Volume 1" cover from 1956. This may only have been released by Blue Note Japan. Section::::"The Complete Blue Note Recordings of Thelonious Monk" (Blue Note, 4 CD Boxed Set). 1994 compilation with similar cover to Mosaic LP set includes all takes from the six sessions, together with two tracks, "Reflections" and "Misterioso", recorded  with Sonny Rollins on April 14, 1957, and the same five (of a total of seven) of the tracks recorded live at the Five Spot Café with John Coltrane in the late summer of 1958 that had previously been released as "The Thelonious Monk Quartet featuring John Coltrane: Live at the Five Spot: Discovery!".