THELONIUS MONK—April In Paris (Milestone):: This live two-fer recorded in Paris in April ’61, has the weirdest format...after a solid first side consisting of long and short pieces by quartet and solo piano, each of the three remaining sides features two Monk standards clocking in at circa 10 minutes apiece, all six cuts having the identical solo line up—tenor saxist Charlie Rouse, Monk, and walking bass solo by John Ore, a longish one on the traps by Frankie Dunlop. The monotony produced by this approach makes the album difficult to listen to in one sitting—and why the Parisian audience didn’t riot, or at least mumble ominously (“Mon Dieu, Francois, again he walks the bass!”), is a mystery. Too bad too, because this group, with Rouse’s pragmatic post-bop style and Dunlop’s whimsical accompanying accents, was Monk’s finest (Check out “Monk’s Dream” and “CrissCross,” still available on Columbia...) R.C.W.

THE CROWD-A World Apart (PoshBoy) ::Like Gene Sculatti told, you last month, only New York really believes punk is dead; the critter continues to rage unabated in every other corner of the States, including urban hip-renewal (must have something to do with the States, revival) L A. The Crowd hail from there, and they combine punk energy with strident brains in a way the tarnished Devo could’ve,! if they’d really believed in art as much as they thought they did. But no keyboards in this lonely Crowd, just scads of aggressively sour guitars & youwanna-make-nothin’-of-it? lyrics, music that’s manic arid droning simultaneously. The Music Machine’s L.A.-anthemic “Talk Talk” updated into the Crowd’s “Can’t (can’t) Talk (talk)”, 15 yrs. bn. Plus real 60’s cover art: vibrant colors; candid white sox, found industrial waste. The Crowd are nervous clatter stars for yer 80’s!R.R. ROGER WHITTAKER—The Last Fare* well And Other Hits (RCA):: A truly honest greatest hits package—10 whole songs, each one practically different—this LP is almost as indispensible as Marty Robbins’ Gunfighter Songs And Other Trail Ballads. I said almost. WHAT other hits, Rog?? J.K.