Thelonious Monk / France 1964 FM Broadcast Edition

This year (2026), a live recording made for broadcast at the studio of France’s national radio station, “Maison de Radio France,” was rebroadcast using the original master. This highly coveted 1964 live performance has now been captured on two discs, preserving the astonishing sound quality for fans. The Monk Quartet during this period was known for its high level of perfection, with the robust and bluesy tenor saxophone of longtime friend Charlie Rouse, the low-slung groove supported by Butch Warren, and the tension and driving force created by Ben Riley’s drumming, perfectly supporting Monk’s unique structural beauty. The sharp rhythmic placement, the sudden silences, and the humorous yet sculpted soundscape all convey the dynamism unique to a live performance. Regarding the rebroadcast, the announcer’s introductions of the band members overlapped at the beginning of the songs, so this has been corrected and included in the recording. Live At Studio 104, Maison de la Radio, Paris, France February 23th, 1964 Disc 1 1.Four In One 2.I’m Getting Sentimental Over You 3.Straight, No Chaser 4.Drum Solo 5.Well, You Needn’t 6.Rhythm-A-Ning Disc 2 1.Epistrophy 2.Blue Monk 3.Sweet And Lovely 4.Hackensack 5.Bright Mississippi 6.Epistrophy Thelonius Monk(p) Charlie Rouse(ts) Butch Warren(b) Ben Riley(b)