Thelonious Monk: Monk's Mood (1957 recording)

The final tune on Thelonious Himself is in fact not just Thelonious himself, and its akin to a fine dessert after a big meal. Monks Mood is a beautifully melancholy theme, and here it gets the most perfect treatment its author ever gave it. Monk plays unaccompanied for 2½ minutes before Wilbur Ware plucks a few notes and John Coltrane arrives with a tender, passionate solo. Throughout, Monks touch is heartbreaking, and the simpatico relationship between him and Coltrane is amazing. This ranks among the most wonderful eight minutes anyone could experience.