Search - Soesja Citroen :: Sings Thelonious Monk

An intriguing vocal interpretation of Monk

BangorBill | Bangor, ME United States | 08/30/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Soesja Citroen was the first jazz singer to dare an all-Monk album. This Dutch artist wrote the lyrics (in English) for five of the eight tunes on this album. Though I had never heard of her, the album apparently was very popular in Europe. I have to compare Citroen's album with Carmen McRae's interpretation of Monk (see "Carmen Sings Monk," 1988 recording). Citroen's singing and her backup band are good, though I prefer McRae's album because the singing and playing are more Monkish. On Citroen's album, I especially like her interpretations of "'Round Midnight," "Blue Monk," and "Well You Needn't." The first two are the only songs on Citroen's album that have the same lyrics as the same tunes on McRae's album. (Some of Monk's song titles have been changed for the vocal versions.) For a good but different vocal interpretation of Monk, avid Monk fans will enjoy this album by Soesja Citroen."