Monk on guitar? As Fargo's Marge might say, "you betcha." The nimble-fingered Duck Baker (see Guitar Aerobics: Taught by Duck Baker [VL-3/93]) is in fine fingerstyle form in this impressive attempt to scale the jazz mountain known affectionately as Monk. Using split-screen instruction, the video walks viewers through four Monk tunes: Blue Monk, Lulu's Back in Town (not by Monk, but popularized by Mel Torme), Light Blue and the jewel in the musical crown (though thorn in the fingers), ‘Round About Midnight. As usual, Baker's enviable dexterity make the selections look easier than they actually are, but his easygoing confidence and amiable instruction keep you trying. As an added bonus, the program includes footage of Monk playing all of the tunes (except Light Blue) in a 1966 concert filmed in Oslo. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (R. Pitman)
The Music of Thelonius Monk
(1996) 92 min. $24.95 (booklet included). Stefan Grossman’s Guitar Workshop. PPR. Color cover. Vol. 12, Issue 3
The Music of Thelonius Monk
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