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Monk's Dream
Studio album by Steve Lacy & Roswell Rudd
Released	March 7, 2000
Recorded	June 21–22, 1999
Genre	Jazz
Length	76:01
Label	Verve
Producer	Steve Lacy
Steve Lacy chronology
The Joan Miro Foundation Concert (1999) Monk's Dream (2000) Sideways (2000)
Roswell Rudd chronology
The Unheard Herbie Nichols, Vol. 2 (1997) Monk's Dream (2000) Broad Strokes (2000)

Monk's Dream is an album by Steve Lacy and Roswell Rudd released on the Verve label in 2000. It features performances by Lacy, Rudd, Jean-Jacques Avenel, John Betsch and Irene Aebi's vocals on two tracks.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings

The AllMusic review by William Ruhlmann awarded the album 4 stars, stating: "Monk's Dream is a warm reunion of old friends, but those friends could have tried a little harder to come up with something fresh."

The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings wrote: "The trombonist isn't the force of yore... even if the musical intelligence remains keen. Lacy himself is magnificent... Beautifully recorded."

In a review for Jazz Times, Duck Baker commented: "Rudd seems to be on fire these days, as if he's determined to make every note and nuance count, and Lacy sounds delighted to have such an inspired front-line partner. The masterful solos are full of surprise, humor, whimsy and courageous vulnerability, and the two-horn interplay could only be achieved by players with roots that go deep into the trad tradition."

C. Andrew Hovan of All About Jazz remarked: "Monk's Dream stands out as a solid entry in the discographies of both Lacy and Rudd... fans of both artists will come away with a better cognizance of two of the music's unrivaled individualists."

Writing for One Final Note, David Dupont stated: "The repertoire seems safe, and the playing sounds a little safe. Lacy's playing especially sounds like a distillation of his work, Rudd displays just how well his chops were getting back into shape and bassist Jean-Jacques Avenel and drummer John Betsch are simply one of the best rhythm duos in the music. They bring a well of color, and a deeply rooted sense of groove to everything they play."

Track listing

1. "Monk's Dream" (Monk) - 7:35
2. "The Bath" - 11:43
3. "The Rent" - 10:45
4. "Pannonica" (Monk) - 9:26
5. "A Bright Pearl" - 5:55
6. "Traces" (text by Ryōkan) - 8:03
7. "Koko" (Ellington) - 5:21
8. "Grey Blue" - 10:08
9. "The Door" - 7:05

All compositions by Steve Lacy except as indicated

• Recorded at Studios Ferber, Paris on June 21–22, 1999. Vocals recorded on August 12, 1999

Personnel

• Steve Lacy - soprano saxophone
• Roswell Rudd - trombone
• Jean-Jacques Avenel - bass
• John Betsch - drums
• Irene Aebi (tracks 5 & 6) - vocals

References

1. Verve Music Group website album entry accessed 7 January 2009
2. Jazzlists: Steve Lacy discography accessed July 11, 2018
3. Steve Lacy discography accessed July 11, 2018
4. ^ Ruhlmann, W. Allmusic Review accessed July 1, 2011
5. ^ Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008) The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th edition). Penguin. p. 858
6. Baker, Duck (May 1, 2000). "Steve Lacy/Roswell Rudd: Monk's Dream". Jazz Times. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
7. Hovan, C. Andrew (April 1, 2000). "Steve Lacy/Roswell Rudd: Monk's Dream". All About Jazz. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
8. Dupont, David (April 2004). "Roswell Rudd : Rudd Revival (Part 2)". One Final Note. Retrieved September 19, 2022.

• 2000 collaborative albums
• Steve Lacy (saxophonist) albums
• Verve Records albums