From there I was interested in more Sonny but from a later period, and turned to Sonny Rollins, What’s New, RCA 2576, specifically If Ever I Would Leave you. Some great guitar by Jim Hall and very percussive Rollins. Did you know that this was the first album in the U.S. that featured the term Bossa Nova? From 1962, and the cover on my record actually as a stamp that states “Bossa Nova.” The liner notes describe “a new beat that will be heard often again as fresh elements continue to be absorbed into the ever-bubbling world of jazz.” The idea of something new and fresh got me thinking about Monk and now I’m listening to Thelonious Monk  Criss-Cross, Columbia 2038.  I know the Monk Prestiges, Blue Notes and Riversides are the collectibles, but for my money this is the Monk record I’d want if I was stuck on a desert Island and could only choose one. It’s from the mid-1960s and features Monk in a relaxed setting with his regular quartet of Charlie Rouse, Frankie Dunlop and John Ore. This album features a mix of Monk swingers, such as Hackensack and Rhythm-A-Ning, a beautiful version of Crepuscule  With Nellie and even a couple of standards, Don’t Blame Me and Tea for Two.

That’s my listening day so far. What about you? What would you put on if you had a couple of hours to kill on a lazy day? If you reply, I’ll automatically put your name in the contest next time we give away a free record, which will be before the end of the year.

“It looked like a bidding war among four buyers. This record was viewed 1,215 times, which is more than I recall for any other jazz record. I did a quick search of the price guide at www.jazzcollector.com. We had one copy listed with the white label. It was in VG++/VG+ condition and sold for $366 in March. Inflation? Rising prices? Condition? Is there any rational reason why this record would sell for more than $3,000?”

Even then I never got a great answer. Anyone want to try now?