WES MONTGOMERY-INCREDIBLE JAZZ GUITAR-nm riverside dg
$
134
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Description
RIVERSIDE 12-320 THE INCREDIBLE JAZZ GUITAR OF WES MONTGOMERY. one of the greatest jazz records of all time. Review by Michael G. Nastos
The incredible Wes Montgomery of 1960 was more discernible and distinctive than the guitarist who would emerge a few years later as a pop stylist and precursor to George Benson in the '70s. On this landmark recording, Montgomery veered away from his home Indianapolis-based organ combo with Melvin Rhyne, the California-based Montgomery Brothers band, and other studio sidemen he had been placed with briefly. Off to New York City and a date with Tommy Flanagan's trio, Montgomery seems in his post- to hard bop element, swinging fluently with purpose, drive, and vigor not heard in an electric guitarist since bop progenitor Charlie Christian. Setting him apart from the rest, this recording established Montgomery as the most formidable modern guitarist of the era, and eventually its most influential. There's some classic material here, including the cat-quick but perhaps a trifle anxious version of the Sonny Rollins bop evergreen "Airegin," the famous repeated modal progressive and hard bop jam "Focus on Six," and Montgomery's immortal soul waltz "West Coast Blues," effortlessly rendered with its memorable melody and flowing, elegant chiffon-like lines. Flanagan, at a time shortly after leaving his native Detroit, is the perfect pianist for this session. He plays forcefully but never overtly so on the bop tracks, offering up his trademark delicacy on the laid-back "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" and easy-as-pie "Gone with the Wind." With the dynamic Philadelphia rhythm section of brothers Percy Heath on bass and drummer Albert Heath, they play a healthy Latin beat on the choppy and dramatic melody of Montgomery's original "Mr. Walker." Montgomery is clearly talented beyond convention, consistently brilliant, and indeed incredible in the company of his sidemen, and this recording -- an essential addition to every jazz guitarist fan's collection -- put him on the map.
Tracks Title Composer Time 1 Airegin Rollins 4:28 2 D-Natural Blues Montgomery 5:22 3 Polka Dots and Moonbeams Burke, Van Heusen, VanHeusen 4:42 4 Four on Six Montgomery 6:15 5 West Coast Blues Montgomery 7:23 6 In Your Own Sweet Way Brubeck 4:53 7 Mr. Walker Montgomery 4:32 8 Gone with the Wind Magidson, Wrubel 6:20 indicates Track Pick vinyl is near mint, full gloss, only flaw is one faint hairline. Labels clean with a few spindle marks. Cover is vg, front and back look nice but top seam is completely split and spine mostly split as is bottom seam. vg grade. No ring wear of writing. thanks and please check my other listings.price rating
