Search - Esbjorn Svensson :: Esbjörn Svensson Trio Plays Monk

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Björn Hessle | STOCKHOLM Sweden | 01/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Young, fresh, talented, creative and estetic interpretations. A little Chick Corea, a little Keith Jarret and some young exprimental energy, voilà EST. Try also their own compositions 'When everyone has gone', 'Winter in Venice', 'From Gagarins point of view' and the latest 'Goodmorning Susie Soho'....Good luck. More music like this and we will eventually be able to breath properly."

Extraordinary monk

Ali Haluk | Istanbul, Turkey | 05/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Monk's music is interpreted by many musicians. EST, a creative piano trio from Sweden do it as well, but now in a distinctive way. Bemsha Swing swings more, Round Midnight makes you awaken even at 2 a.m. and especially I Mean You in the beginning of the CD means so many things. They're not in the region of cold and restrained music of Northern Europe like Garbarek etc. Instead, they provide amazing interpretations for monkish guys and for all the jazz lovers. Great..."

A Remarkable Early Effort

Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 09/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Until the untimely recent death of pianist/namesake Esbjorn Svensson in a scuba diving accident, the Esbjorn Svensson Trio was known to its fans for its imaginative compositions and virtuoso execution. On this remarkable early effort, the Trio tackles the music of legendary jazz man Thelonious Monk with an alacrity that belies the difficulty of the music and manages to imbue it with a touch that makes the music their own.

I lay no claim to being an expert on Monk's music, but I have heard most of these tunes before and can tell you that you will likely be pleasantly stunned on hearing the Trio's renditions.

I liked E.S.T. Plays Monk the first time I heard it and like it more every time I put it on. There is much to enjoy in the Trio's approach. My favorites are: a suave rendition of I Mean You; a sophisticated 'Round Midnight; a spirited Bemsha Swing; a swinging, melodic In Walked Bud; and the delicate blues of Eronel.

The Trio's play is fluid and often seems effortless. Though these tunes are of course piano-driven, each member of the trio gets many chances to shine and each makes the most of his chances. Listeners should be pleased by the judicious selection of a mixture of slow and fast tempoed numbers.

EST Plays Monk may seem expensive and it is, but it is worth every penny. I've noted over the years that it has rarely been available and when it is, it quickly disappears. When I finally got the chance to order, it was "temporarily out of stock", but amazon was able to fulfill that order within a reasonable time-frame. If this is a CD that interests you, I advise you to get it while you can because no one knows if it will be reissued once it sells out."