Straight, No Chaser: The Life and Genius of Thelonious Monk

by Leslie Gourse

Book Overview

This first full-length biography of the legendary pianist/composer in English tells the story of the tragic life and creative genius of Thelonius Monk. Based on scores of interviews with his family,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0028646568
• ISBN13: 9780028646565
• Release Date: October 1997
• Publisher: Schirmer Trade Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Drum Son

This was an excellent and detailed account of Monk's life. It helped me to understand the man and his music.

Attention Thelonius Monk Fans!

Attention T.Monk fans! This book has lots of info on Monk. It is written in a very interesting way. Much of the info is from personal interviews, which means that there are many interesting and funny facts and stories. There are some great photographs of Monk with other jazz pioneers such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie etc. It also has a sessionography, index, list of compositions, and videography. A must read.

An excellent book

This book has gotten unjustified bad press. The author accurately captures the "real" T. Monk. She traces Monk's development and commitment to jazz over his career. The author had access to Monk's family (e.g., Toot his drummer son), friends, supporters, and the musicians that knew him. What I particularly like about the book was her treatment of Monk's mysterious pathology. Monk was a very strange guy. Various psychiatrists discounted him being schizophrenic and bipolar. The concensus was that he chemically ruined his brain over the years. He also cultivated an image of eccentricity. During the last six years of his life, he got up, put on a suit and tie (he was always sartorially snappy) and then laid in bed all day. This is a very good book and provided an insightful picture of this eccentric musical genius.