Criss Cross (album)

Criss Cross is Thelonious Monk's 26th album and his second with Columbia Records. The album consists of previously released Monk compositions that were re-recorded and re-released under Columbia Records by the Thelonious Monk Quintet. The tracks Hackensack, Eronel, and Tea for Two were previously rarely recorded Monk compositions. Monk was known for his uniquely playful jazz style that centered around playing notes and pitches that were not always corresponding to the particular chord or key that was being played by the rest of the band. Before entering the studio to record this album, a journalist reportedly asked Monk if he would be recording a new solo rendition of his classic song Don't Blame Me, to which he replied,

"Maybe, it depends on how I feel when I get there."

Monk recorded his solo version of Don't Blame Me right after arriving at the studio.

Criss Cross is a Swing influenced Bop album featuring complex melodies and harmonies, Monk's unique style of stride piano, and his unique ideas on pitch qualities for his improvisations. The title track "Criss Cross" is one of his more critically acclaimed compositions. For this recording Monk cut out two bars from the original music in order to speed up the overall feel of the piece. It also features Monk's highly personal use of rhythmic displacement. Eronel is a distinctly Bop tune that is fast-paced and showcases Monk's virtuousic stride style piano playing. The track Crepuscule with Nellie was a piece Monk had written for his wife.

Criss Cross is an album in Monk's career that represents his slow decline throughout the late 1960s until his death. Rumors of mental illness were common, aspecially considering his erratic and playful style of improvisation. At this point in his career, Monk released very few new compositions, mostly just re-workings of old tunes for big label release under Columbia Records. Criss Cross 1st 8 Bars

Track listing

1. Hackensack — 4:12
2. Tea for Two — 3:46
3. Criss Cross — 4:52
4. Eronel — 4:29
5. Rhythm-A-Ning — 3:53
6. Don't Blame Me — 7:04
7. Think of One — 5:17
8. Crepuscule with Nellie — 2:45
9. Pannonica — (only on CD re-issue and named for Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter)

Personnel

• Charlie Rouse — tenor saxophone
• John Ore — bass
• Frankie Dunlop — drums
• Thelonious Monk — piano