I was born in 1956. My dad, a sailor and then a cop, didn't have a lot. He had a hi-fi and a few albums. That's where I learned about Harry Belafonte, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. A little of the Duke. He was into the Swingled Singers a real lot. They did a lot of classical, a lot of Jazz and little Pop, all of it singing acapella. One of my favorites was The Washington Square Village Stompers. Great New Orleans Jazz. I went from all of this stuff into the Beatles at 10 years old. By the time Jimi Hendrix and the boys and girls from Monteray filled the scene my 15 & 16 year old friends were digging these old albums in the basement family room with me. I still love them all. I, too, have tried many of the greats from Coltrane thru Louis & Ella to Miles Davis. Liked a lot of it. Couldn't really ride with Miles Davis too much. I've been missing it lately. Been stuck in the 70's and finding a lot of new alternative stuff that feels nice. Blues has run away with my soul. But, something was missing. Got turned on to Green Chimneys, Thelonious Monk, and loved it. Right away my feet, my hips, my hands and my head were all moving to one instrument or another. Fantastic. I know where my ears are going to live for the next while. Great album. Lots of fun. John J S

This is one of Thelonious Monk's finest albums; if you aren't familiar with his work please check it out. When I first decided I wanted to see what Jazz was about I purchased the "Best Of" several of the big names (Coltrane, Miles Davis, Armstrong, Ellington, Monk, etc). While I enjoyed them all, there is something so different, so refreshing, and so pleasantly unsetting in Monk's composition, improv, and distinctive dissonant piano playing that I fell in love with it immediately. If you love jazz but are unfamiliar with Monk's genius then please listen to this album immediately.