This was apparently the last concert of a six-week tour with an inexperienced rhythm-section. I remember being harsh in print about their Hammersmith appearance, not realising that it was Wright's first night and that Hygelund had been in the band less than five weeks but, on the other hand, if we've never heard of them again it's hardly surprising. This is a standard Monk programme and Rouse plays his standard solos (he left shortly afterwards, following 11 years with the pianist). Monk himself has some great moments as always, but there may be some fatigue evident too. Incidentally, Blue Note's production standards seem to be slipping, with ‘Bright Mississippi’ absurdly split into two halves in different parts of the show, presumably in order to place Philly Joe's guest spot at the end – the previously issued DVD of the same performance (reviewed in Jazzwise 137) contains visual clues that it came much earlier. Unfortunately too, Joe speeds up badly and the injection of his energy is largely wasted.