Customer Reviews

Best of Wes

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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This is a great collection of Wes playing with his brothers Buddy (piano and vibes) and Monk (electric bass). Both are excellent musicians. The songs here are surprisingly fresh-sounding considering that they're from before Wes started recording as a leader. My favorite song on the album is Renie, a blues chart in Bb. I've transcribed Wes' solo, and it astounds me how Wes plays "outside" most of the time and every note still fits. Wes' sense of harmony was very advanced; every chord and every note was there for a reason. The whole album sounds laid-back and relaxed. A great album to have.

Wes Montgomery's thumb pickin' jazz must be heard, and this album is a great starting point. A man who couldn't even read music, and was self-taught, Wes is truly a jazz guitar legend. This album (especially for the price!) is a Must-Buy for any serious jazz fan.

I feel slightly filthy having embraced that cliched phrase for a title, but it is, and yes it's that too. Everyone who knows of Wes' playing will recognise the thumb picked liquidity of the solo runs and the octave styling so indicative of this master. If you like the style, you'll like the album. Technically acomplished and polished as well as sound, an all too uncommon combination. Great.

This compilation is very interesting . To my mind is just a little evidence of the gold songs recorded by this outstanding guitarist , the man who really gave the definitive impulse to this instrument . If not, think in George Benson , Lee Ritenour , Pat Metheny and this young generation with Chuck Loeb , Peter white and Craig Chaquico among others important legends of the characteristic jazz sound in the nineties .

Wes in one of his freshest and funny works . Renie is an admirable swing and joyful melody. Summertime is a fabulous version with gratifying effects . Wes respects the essential spirit of Gershwin and keeps this pale atmosphere under the swing melody and creative curtains whose principle figures are drawn by the piano.

In this superb CD you must consider Stranger in Paradise is one of the most beloved and wondrous songs . The extraordinary swing , the drumbeats and the magnificent guitar of Wes practically make of that ballad a funny sounds game .

If you admire the art of Montgomery , you know how it is . It is very difficult to lose with this genius .

I have just begun to check out jazz music, and I have several cd's that I enjoy particularly, in the Miles Davis vein of jazz. This is one of those, and though I don't find it quite as good as Miles (who is, anyway?) I appreciate it for its lush melodies and perfect arrangements. It is very well made, and though it occasionally skirts muzak territory, it avoids it by virtue of Wes's octave-heavy guitar work. I heard somewhere that Wes and company kind of sort of helped create the muzak genre, and I would say that that might be true, unfortunately. I prefer rock music in general, but if you are willing to branch out a little, this might be your cup of tea. enjoy!