Wes Montgomery

Wes Montgomery - The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of - 2003 - Definitive

This outstanding release features the extremely rare recording of Wes Montgomery, live at the Half Note in New York, and in Hamburg. One of the greatest improvisers in jazz, Wes stretches out on these two spectacular live recordings. In the New York concert, Wes joins forces with the brilliant pianist Harold Mabern, whose post-bop concept and swinging feel are a perfect complement to his own ingenious playing, while in the Hamburg concert, Montgomery teams up with French piano phenomenon Martial Solal. “Today the legacy of Wes Montgomery is regarded with the highest appreciation and the deepest reverence. His revolutionary technique, impassioned playing and innovative spirit, have placed him in the annals of history, as one of the all-time great legends of jazz.” (Excerpt from the liner notes)

Recorded live at the Half Note, NY in February 1965, and Hamburg, Germany in April 1965. In the New York concert, Wes plays with pianist Harold Mabern, while in Hamburg, Wes plays with French pianist Martial Solal. N.B: This is not the same album as "The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery" with Tommy Flanagan, Percy Heath, and Albert Heath recorded in 1960 and released on the Riverside label. If you're buying this album check the track lists. Both albums are often issued with an identical front cover. Listen to Wes' "Full House" and "Live at Ronnie Scott's" albums [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 135 Mb]

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1 Caravan (Live) - Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Juan Tizol 8:32 *
2 'Round Midnight (Live) - Thelonious Monk, Bernie Hanighen, Cootie Williams 10:02 *
3 Four On Six (Live) - Wes Montgomery 10:26 *
4 Here's That Rainy Day (Live) - Johnny Burke, Jimmy VanHeusen 7:19 **
5 Twisted Blues - Wes Montgomery 5:10 **
6 Four Oh Six - Wes Montgomery 6:11 **
7 Here's That Rainy Day - Johnny Burke, Jimmy VanHeusen 8:12 *
8 Blue Monk - Thelonious Monk 6:20 **

N.B: * Recorded for radio broadcast, WABC-FM, "Half Note", NYC, February 12, 1965: ** Recorded at NDR Studio 10, Hamburg, West Germany, April 30, 1965

MUSICIANS

Wes Montgomery - Guitar
Michel Gaudry, Arthur Harper - Bass
Harold Mabern, Martial Solal - Piano
Jimmy Lovelace, Ronny Stephenson - Drums
Johnny Griffin - Tenor Sax

SHORT BIO

Wes Montgomery was one of the great jazz guitarists, a natural extension of Charlie Christian, whose appealing use of octaves became influential and his trademark. He achieved great commercial success during his last few years, only to die prematurely. It had taken Wes a long time to become an overnight success. He started to teach himself guitar in 1943 (using his thumb rather than a pick) and toured with Lionel Hampton during 1948-1950; he can be heard on a few broadcasts from the period. But then Montgomery returned to Indianapolis, where he was in obscurity during much of the 1950s, working a day job and playing at clubs most nights. He recorded with his brothers vibraphonist Buddy and electric bassist Monk during 1957-1959 and made his first Riverside album (1959) in a trio with organist Melvin Rhyne. In 1960 the release of his album The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery made him famous in the jazz world. Other than a brief time playing with the John Coltrane Sextet (which also included Eric Dolphy) later in the year, Wes would be a leader for the rest of his life. Montgomery's recordings can be easily divided into three periods. His Riverside dates (1959-1963) are his most spontaneous jazz outings, small-group sessions with such sidemen as Tommy Flanagan, James Clay, Victor Feldman, Hank Jones, Johnny Griffin, and Mel Rhyne. The one exception was the ironically titled Fusion!, a ballad date with a string section. All of the Riverside recordings have been reissued in a massive 12-CD box set. With the collapse of Riverside, Montgomery moved over to Verve, where during 1964-1966 he recorded an interesting series of mostly orchestral dates with arranger Don Sebesky and producer Creed Taylor. These records were generally a good balance between jazz and accessibility, even if the best performances were small-group outings with either the Wynton Kelly Trio or Jimmy Smith. In 1967 Wes signed with Creed Taylor at A&M and during 1967-1968 he recorded three best-selling albums that found him merely stating simple pop melodies while backed by strings and woodwinds. His jazz fans were upset, but Montgomery's albums were played on AM radio during the period. He helped introduce listeners to jazz, and his live performances were as freewheeling as his earlier Riverside dates. Unfortunately at the height of his success, he died of a heart attack. However, Montgomery's influence is still felt on many young guitarists. © Scott Yanow © 2011 Rovi Corporation. All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/artist/wes-montgomery-p7162/biography