Customer Reviews

Far Wes

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just to add a little more information: "Far Wes" is a follow-up and companion to the "Fingerpickin'" CD and was originally released on two LPs. In 1975 Pacific Jazz released a double vinyl album which comprised all of Wes's sessions for the label (four, as far as I can tell), and that's what's on these two CDs.

"Far Wes" is more laid-back and relaxed than most of "Fingerpickin'," but is still a very satisfying collection of tunes. It's all in a quintet format, with the Montgomery brothers--Buddy, Monk, and Wes--as the core. Harold Land (#1-7) and Pony Poindexter (#8-11) alternate on tenor and alto sax, while Tony Bazley and Louis Hayes handle the drums.

The sound reminds me a lot of the mellow bop stuff Larry Coryell has been doing lately. (Check out "New High" and "Inner Urge" to see what I mean.) If you are a fan of Wes's 1960s work, I'm sure you'll appreciate these early tracks. It's a nice easy vibe, perfect for relaxing to after a hard day's work or play.

This beautiful album features Wes early on in his career playing with his brothers Monk & Buddy, along with other great players such as Harold Land on tenor. The music comes from two sessions ('58 & '59) which fit together well, both posessing a relaxed but heartfelt 'after hours' mood. The first three songs alone are worth the price of this wonderful recording. Great small group Wes!

I adore this album and listen to it more than any other jazz recording I own. It has a wonderful balance of liveliness and laid-back grooviness; I am never not in the mood for it. The entire ensemble is absolutely top-notch, in my opinion. A must-have.

I am a jazz guitarist, jazz record collector, and "student" (at the school of vinyl) of Wes Montgomery. These recordings are a very worthy addition to any Wes Montgomery collection. I actually enjoy this material, as much, or more, than his much heralded Riverside recordings. Probably because the vibe is so joyous. The material is a typical 1950's session featuring the Montgomery Brothers (Buddy: piano, vibes & Monk: one of the pioneers of "Fender bass") and able tenor man, Harold Land. All the arrangements are fun and sprightly, featuring Wes in some of his earliest recordings, already in full bloom, playing great. My favorites from this outing are "Wes' Tune" and "Monk Shop". Fun stuff and a great listen. As with Wes' best stuff, you hear the big smile that he so often sported when he was playing.

I bought this for Harold Land's appearance on the first 7 tracks. Wes contributes some nice solos, but it's an ensemble effort, and he's not the sole focus. Monk Montgomery displays some flash on the Fender Bass.

It's laid back jazz, not the dazzling display of virtuosity of some of Wes's Riverside work. If you don't have the major albums he made for Riverside, you can put off acquiring this without missing anything essential.

The songs on this discs were originally meant to be Montgomery Brothers songs, but since Wes is best-remembered, that's who gets top billing today. The first three songs on this discs are a disappointment -- Wes barely makes an impression, and the rest is standard 50's jazz. Things heat up after that, and there's more guitar on the rest of the disc. Harold Land takes the first seven songs and Pony Poindexter the last four on saxophone. This isn't one of Wes' classic albums (e.g. "The Incredible Jazz Guitar" or "Full House"), but once you've gotten the best, you can work your Montgomery collection towards this one.

...Greg Vincent says everything what a person can say about this "wonderful recording".