Well You Needn't
Encyclopedia
"Well, You Needn't" is a jazz standard
composed by Thelonious Monk
in 1944. According to Robin D.G. Kelley in his seminal biography "Thelonious Monk: the Life and Times of an American Original" the title was inspired by a protegé of Monk's, the jazz singer Charlie Beamon; Monk wrote a song and told Beamon he was going to name it after him, to which Beamon replied "Well, you needn't".
Like another Monk standard, "Epistrophy
", it is notable for a chord sequence in which the root note moves by semitones. There is some disagreement about the chord progression and melody in the bridge. On many club dates and jam sessions, musicians play the tune as it was transcribed in the original Real Book
:
This is how Miles Davis
recorded the tune on his album Steamin'. The wide proliferation of the Real Book
makes this progression the de facto standard for the bridge. The "New Real Book" shows alternate bridge chords:
This is the progression played by Monk himself.
Mike Ferro wrote lyrics for the song in the 1970s, sometimes recorded under the title "It's Over Now".
Jazz standard
Jazz standards are musical compositions which are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive list of jazz standards, and the list of songs deemed to be...
composed by Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Sphere Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer considered "one of the giants of American music". Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "Epistrophy", "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser"...
in 1944. According to Robin D.G. Kelley in his seminal biography "Thelonious Monk: the Life and Times of an American Original" the title was inspired by a protegé of Monk's, the jazz singer Charlie Beamon; Monk wrote a song and told Beamon he was going to name it after him, to which Beamon replied "Well, you needn't".
Like another Monk standard, "Epistrophy
Epistrophy
"Epistrophy" is a jazz standard composed by Thelonious Monk and Kenny Clarke in 1942. It has been called "the first classic, modern jazz composition."Its 'A' section is based on a pattern of alternating chords a semitone apart....
", it is notable for a chord sequence in which the root note moves by semitones. There is some disagreement about the chord progression and melody in the bridge. On many club dates and jam sessions, musicians play the tune as it was transcribed in the original Real Book
Real Book
The Real Book can refer to any of a number of popular compilations of lead sheets for jazz tunes, but is generally used to refer to Volume 1 of an underground series of books transcribed and collated by students at Berklee College of Music during the 1970s....
:
- G7 | G7 | Ab7 | Ab7 | A7 Bb7 | B7 Bb7 | A7 Ab7 | G7 C7 |
This is how Miles Davis
Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
recorded the tune on his album Steamin'. The wide proliferation of the Real Book
Real Book
The Real Book can refer to any of a number of popular compilations of lead sheets for jazz tunes, but is generally used to refer to Volume 1 of an underground series of books transcribed and collated by students at Berklee College of Music during the 1970s....
makes this progression the de facto standard for the bridge. The "New Real Book" shows alternate bridge chords:
- Db9 | Db9 | D9 | D9 | Eb9 E9 | Eb9 D9 | Db9 C9 | B9 C7 |
This is the progression played by Monk himself.
Mike Ferro wrote lyrics for the song in the 1970s, sometimes recorded under the title "It's Over Now".
Performances
- 1952: Genius of Modern Music: Volume 1Genius of Modern Music: Volume 1Genius of Modern Music: Volume 1 is the name given to at least four different compilation albums by jazz pianist, Thelonious Monk. Each version comprises some of Monk's first recordings as band leader for Blue Note, recorded in 1947 . The original LP with this title was compiled in 1951.Two...
by Thelonious MonkThelonious MonkThelonious Sphere Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer considered "one of the giants of American music". Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "Epistrophy", "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser"... - 1956: Steamin' with The Miles Davis QuintetSteamin' with the Miles Davis QuintetSteamin' with the Miles Davis Quintet is an album recorded in 1956 by Miles Davis. Two sessions on May 11, 1956 and October 26 in the same year resulted in four albums—this one, Relaxin' with The Miles Davis Quintet, Workin' with The Miles Davis Quintet and Cookin' with the Miles Davis Quintet...
by Miles DavisMiles DavisMiles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,... - 1957: Monk's MusicMonk's MusicMonk's Music is a 1957 album by Thelonious Monk's jazz septet. It was recorded in New York on June 26, 1957. The first song "Abide With Me"—a hymn by W. H. Monk—is an austere rendition played only by the septet's horn section. The song "Ruby, My Dear" is performed only by Monk, Coleman Hawkins,...
by Thelonious Monk - 1958: Branching OutBranching Out-Track listing:# "Sister Caroline" - 5:50# "Well, You Needn't" - 8:20# "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" - 4:29# "I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'" - 4:59...
by Nat AdderleyNat AdderleyNathaniel Adderley was an American jazz cornet and trumpet player who played in the hard bop and soul jazz genres. He was the brother of saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley.... - 1962: Chet is Back! by Chet BakerChet BakerChesney Henry "Chet" Baker, Jr. was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and singer.Though his music earned him a large following , Baker's popularity was due in part to his "matinee idol-beauty" and "well-publicized drug habit."He died in 1988 in Amsterdam, the...
- 1964: Live at the It ClubLive at the It ClubLive at the It Club is the ninth album Thelonious Monk released for Columbia Records. Recorded October 31, and November 1, 1964, the album features Monk compositions as well jazz standards....
by Thelonious Monk - 1963: West Coast Vibes by Roy AyersRoy AyersRoy Ayers is an American funk, soul, and jazz composer and vibraphone player. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist, releasing several albums with Atlantic Records, before his tenure at Polydor Records beginning in the 1970s, during which he helped pioneer jazz-funk .- Biography :Ayers...
- 1975: Sum of the Parts by Larry RidleyLarry RidleyLarry Ridley is an American jazz bassist and music educator.-Biography:Ridley was born and reared in Indianapolis, IN. He began performing professionally while still in high school in the 1950s. Ridley studied at the Indiana University School of Music and later at the Lenox School of Jazz...
- 1979: Tribute by Marvin Peterson
- 1981: Lounge LizardsLounge Lizards (album)Lounge Lizards is the first album by The Lounge Lizards. It features hectic instrumental jazz. The songs are mostly composed by band leader and saxophone player John Lurie.-Track listing:All songs written by John Lurie except where noted....
by The Lounge LizardsThe Lounge LizardsThe Lounge Lizards are a jazz group formed in 1978 by saxophone player John Lurie.Initially a tongue in cheek "fake jazz" combo, drawing on punk rock and no wave as much as jazz, The Lounge Lizards have since become respected for their creative and distinctive sound.-History:Lounge Lizards were... - 1981: Quartet by Herbie HancockHerbie HancockHerbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound...
- 2005: Tricycles by Larry CoryellLarry CoryellLarry Coryell is an American jazz fusion guitarist.-Biography:Coryell was born in Galveston, Texas. He graduated from Richland High School, in Richland, Washington, where he played in local bands The Jailers, The Rumblers, The Royals, and The Flames. He also played with The Checkers from nearby...