Customer Reviews

Groove Brothers

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In my opinion, this is one of the better Wes Montgomery CDs. However, the track listing on my CD is in error and is different from the listings shown on this site. For instance, in addition to other listing errors, "Lover Man" is on track 2 and two tracks which aren't listed, "Grooveyard" and "If I Should Lose You," are on tracks 8 and 9, respectively. Track 14 is truly "hidden" since there's no indication of it on the CD listing. However, this collection with miscited and uncited work is still a gem, "hidden" as it may be.

I am a huge Wes Montgomery fan and was extremely excited to finally get the out of print "Montgomery Brothers Live in Canada 1961" album included on this disc, along with the original Montgomery Brothers album "Grooveyard". The music on this disc is great like all other reviewers attest to, but none of us received the disc that was advertised on Amazon. Tracks 1 - 6 are of completely unknown origin in the Wes catalogue and are awesome, I have no idea where these came from (as far as what album) but appear to be recorded with the brothers and are probably live considering several long extended versions (d-natural blues & lover man). Heres the huge problem with the disc you will get, Live in Canada 1961 is not here! Instead you will get "Grooveyard" on tracks 7-14 (just look up the album on Amazon to get the track listing of what will arrive in the mail). If you are a huge Wes fan, do not order this disc but do the digital download instead. The digital download does actually contain Live in Canada (as the tracks on amazon & the disc you will receive suggest). I love the album Grooveyard like everybody else, but Live in Canada 1961 blows it away (and grooveyard has been on disc for a file, where Live Canada was never). The idiots that screwed up the recording of this CD should literally be punched. How often does a disc get packaged and produced when half of the intended subject material was accidentally replaced by old material because of a moron? Just do the digital download, and then order Grooveyard seperately if you do not have that album.

"Groove Brothers," CD is a compilation of the LPs "Montgomery Brothers," (Fantasy LP 3308, revised to 8052, CD tracks 1-5) and "Montgomery Brothers Live in Canada, 1961," (Fantasy LP 3323, revised to 8066, CD tracks 6-13). Wes, and his brothers Buddy and Monk, define simpatico in these amazing recordings.

I have vinyl versions of both recordings, and my CD is true to the original track listings. Some reviewers here have stated confusion over the tracks and related albums, even recommending the download versions over the CD version, as a way to receive the correct tracks. I am happy to report that my "Groove Brothers," CD tracks match the download tracks here, the original LP tracks, and the CD liner note tracks.

On to the great news. "Montgomery Brothers Live in Canada 1961," is one of my favorite Wes recordings. It features some of the most beautiful and tasteful jazz in my library. The live energy and improvisations are great, and the arrangements are that of the Montgomery Brothers. All are gifted jazz musicians. The "Montgomery Brothers" cuts are the icing on the cake.

If you own one Wes CD, this would be one to have. Otherwise, I recommend "Wes Montgomery's Complete Riverside Recordings" boxed set : ) wow, "George Shearing & Montgomery Brothers" CD, Montgomery Brothers "Groove Yard," CD, or Wes' debut recording, "Guitar on the Go."

* * * Sidebar: Here is an important key to understanding possible confusion regarding a certain "Groove Brothers," CD review. 1) The item described here is for the CD version, and is entirely correct in description. 2) The track discrepancy noted by one reviewer here matches the track listing for the 1979 VINYL version of "Groove Brothers," (Milestone 47501) which is a totally different recording than the CD. The LP version contains the "Groove Yard," LP, and a few other tracks, matching the discrepancy described by the reviewer. * * *

This is a spectacular cd on the Milestone label. The first four cuts are tricky to find and only available here and are excellent... this is culled from two albums, In Canada and The Montgomery Brothers (which only contained the first 4 cuts and is the only place they are otherwise available... and no such cd exists!)...

by the way, In Canada was supposedly a live recording from a club. Several sites report that the applause was overdubbed. No applause here and it all certainly sounds like studio recordings.

These sessions were originally on the Fantasy label, a west coast record label and recorded in 1961. I had the Canada session on original colored vinyl and sold it when I got this cd...

some of the best jazz guitar you'll ever hear!

Is Wes even capable of putting out a bad album? No. This is jam packed with cool music. It's almost 80 minutes! Actually it's two albums on one CD. You get the original Montgomery Brothers' release with a live album included. These aren't quickie pop tunes. The brothers take their time and jam. My only concern is that someone needs to light a fire under the drummer. But hey, that's minor. Nevertheless, there's jamming and then there's Wes jamming. What a difference. Any Wes fan should have this in his/her collection.

I really liked the CD. It is good quality Jazz, nice arrangements and a good example of the improvizational abilities of Wes plus his brothers were actually world class musicians in themselves.

wes and his bros playing it like no one can. if you are a fan of jazz BUY THIS RECORD.