Bumpin [Import]

Wes Montgomery | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 6, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Universal/Polygram
• ASIN: B000007W0X
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,476,040 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MR. MONTGOMERY AT HIS BEST, August 19, 2002

By 

Giovanni (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bumpin (Audio CD)

Stop and think that this was Wes' first outing at Verve, and also his first meeting with journeyman arrnger/conductor Don Sebesky (and Don's fine work over the years with just about anyone you can think of in the jazz business) and this album isn't a "sellout" as so many "jazz purists" called anything a solo artist on any instrument ever did with strings. (They started that with "Bird" when they bumrapped Charlie Parker for his strings albums in the 50's, go figure) The irony here is that Montgomery first sought out Sebesky and record producer Creed Taylor and asked them what THEY thought they should embark on. Ever the modest one, Montgomery was thrilled to do this album, only to become "rigid" during initial recording sessions, fearing he wasn't good enough to be in the studio with the orchestral greats in the band. Sebesky came up with the ingenious plan of recording the main tracks with Montgomery and the rhythm section ONLY, then came back and re-did all the charts around what they had in the can. The payoff is more than evident in the spectacular reading of the Broadway hit song "A QUIET THING", which comes off as a smoldering bit of beauty in the able hands of Wes, framed by a shimmering string chart courtesy of Sebesky. Two other well known tracks shine on this album, the bossa-nova feel of the Webster/Mandel penned evergreen THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE and the Burke/Van Heusen classic HERE'S THAT RAINY DAY. Not to be missed are the originals by Montgomery either, especially the opener and title track, BUMPIN'. Bonus tracks include a song written by Sebesky, MUSTY and a great reading of the old chestnut MY ONE AND ONLY LOVE, a particularly tough song to convey vocally or instrumentally. Many have tried, Wes succeeds sublimely. So what if it's jazz with strings...some of the best jazz albums are made that way, in my opinion. It may not be pure jazz, per se, but it's one of the music's finest interpreters, backed by a super group and a fine arranger / conductor in Sebesky (who also teamed up with Wes for the pop-influenced CALIFORNIA DREAMING album later on at Verve) An excellent reissue.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic album! My favorite jazz guitar album! An audio "hug"!, December 25, 2007

By 

musiclover "nospacesalloweded" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bumpin (Audio CD)

This is my favorite Wes Montgomery album (I have them all!), my favorite "jazz guitar" album (I also collect Johnny Smith, Herb Ellis, Tal Farlow, Barney Kessel, and others) -- and one of my favorite albums of all time (in a collection of over 2000 CD's and 2000 vinyl albums).

There are some who are too narrow-minded to appreciate the strings -- well, there are many orchestra-less guitar albums out there for that minority. I love the strings! They turn Wes's bare trio into something warmer and richer! The strings turn these old 'Sixties chestnuts into something transcendant. Don Sebesky's string arrangements are top-notch and I would like to buy up every album Sebesky ever did.

But the star is Wes! Such heartfelt guitar! Great choice of songs! I put on this album when I need a hug. It always warms my heart. It takes me to a place where there are no wars or religions or pollution. I may buy a second copy to keep in my car.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forget those who barf too much, March 7, 2007

By 

Steven Maunakea "Ford Island inhabitant" (Honolulu, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bumpin (Audio CD)

Contrary to the "two star" wonder this is Wes at his Bes.' You don't like strings? What about Miles and Gil Evans? Ben Webster did it. So did Coltrane. Just about every Jazz artist has. Relax. One has to consider the era in which this album was recorded; from the mid fifties to the sixties, popular music ruled the airwaves. All jazz artists at that time were trying to connect to a broader if younger audience. So get a grip!
On a personal note, this was one of the first jazz albums I bought at the tender age of twelve, and I played it right along with my Beatles, Stones, Supremes, Cream, Canned Heat, Hendrix and Byrds records. I don't see how anyone can piss and moan about a Van Gelder-Sebesky-Creed Taylor production.
The newer 20 bit transfer sounds better than the older transfer, and with the out-takes included, is great value for the money. This cd sounds GREAT on my vacumn tube system, 'though not as great as the remastered vinyl versions.
Still, the tune Bumpin' alone and by itself makes this a must have in my music collection any day.