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LOST AND FOUND:
MONK AND COLTRANE/ JACK MACK
--Rediscovered CD reviews by Pat Benny
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THELONIOUS MONK WITH JOHN COLTRANE AT CARNIGIE HALL
It isn’t often that lost recordings pop up out of a dusty
box in someone’s attic; ever more rare that they are of
sufficient quality that they are complete and ready to be issued
for retail sales. But, to find not one, but two such recordings
by artists of this magnitude is simply miraculous.
The first miracle, released on September fifth, 2005, is a
live concert, featuring Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane at
Carnegie Hall.
The tape was discovered by Larry Applebaum while digitally
transferring music for preservation in the Library of Congress.
Recorded on November 29, 1957, this concert is a milestone
for both artists’ careers.
Monk had been struggling, unable to work in New York, having
his cabaret card revoked. Coltrane, recently fired from Miles
Davis’ band in April, left his heroin habit cold turkey,
and began a spiritual and musical rejuvenation, which led him
to Thelonious Monk.
With his cabaret card returned, Monk and Coltrane began what
started as a teacher/student relationship, respectively, and
progressed to a collaboration that culminated into a five month
engagement at the Five Spot Club.
This concert at Carnegie Hall is the triumph of two immensely
talented musicians, superbly accompanied by Ahmed Abdul-Malik
on bass and Shadow Wilson on drums.
They would soon part company and change the face of Jazz, of
music and Society.
Whether or not you are a lover of jazz history or just one
who enjoys fine music, this CD is a milestone and a must for
any serious music collection. This CD is available at Barnes
and Noble and at: http://www.bluenote.com
CLUB LINGERIE LIVE-1982
JACK MACK AND THE HEART ATTACK
The second miraculous discovery is Jack Mack and the Heart
Attack at Club Lingerie on November 12, 1982.
The story is similar to the Monk, Coltrane recording, where
the tape was discovered in an old cardboard box.
Recorded with a Westwood One recording truck, the tape captured
the very essence of the ten member, Rhythm and Blues/Soul band
that had taken the Sunset Strip by storm.
This is the real deal, the original line-up, which consisted
of:
Claude (Jack Mack) Pepper: Drums, vocals
Scott Chambers: Bass, vocals
John Paruolo: Keyboards
Andrew Kastner: Guitar
Max (Gronenthol): Lead vocals, keys and guitar
John Berry: Trumpet
Jim Coile: Tenor Saxophone
Bill Bergman: Tenor and alto saxophone
Greg Smith: Baritone saxophone
Lee Thornburg: Trumpet, vocals
Jack Mack still perform occasionally (see live review in this
issue), and quite admirably; but this live recording displays
the talent of one of the most dynamic bands in Rock/Rhythm and
Blues/Soul history. It is a Cardiac Party in perpetuity, a place
in time to be remembered and cherished.
Find out more about this CD at: http://www.jackmack.com
It is such a glorious thing, to have two live recordings of
this magnitude to be presented to the public with such outstanding
production values. One can only perceive this as miraculous.
Perhaps, we should all clean out our basements, our attics
and garages—there’s no telling what might turn up.
--Pat Benny
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