Customer Reviews

The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is my favorite Jazz Guitar album and one that I've had for some time, first on a cassette that I got from my brother and eventually on CD. I used to listen to this in my car and didn't even know the names of the songs or who had written them. All I knew was that I really dug Montgomery's guitar playing.

After getting the 1987 version of the CD, I learned that the album included Sonny Rollins' "Airegin", Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way", 2 standards, and 4 originals by Montgomery. I also learned that his supporting cast included Tommy Flanagan on piano and the Heath brothers on bass and drums.

This album is a real pleasure to listen to, not just for Montgomery's truly incredible guitar playing, but also for the relaxing atmosphere all 4 musicians create. This is a perfect album to play late at night before going to bed; just turn down the lights, lie down on your couch, and let the music soothe your soul.

My only complaint about the CD I owned (the 1987 remastering) was that the sound was kind of muddy. While reviewing that version, I learned that this "Keepnews Collection" version had been released, so I ordered it to compare the sound. It does have slightly better sound, mainly stronger bass. In retrospect, I suspect that the "muddiness" I heard in the 1987 version was mostly in Montgomery's own sound or in the source tapes.

The real value of the 2008 version, however, is the new booklet with a new essay by Orin Keepnews, who produced the original sessions. He explains how he first heard about Montgomery from Cannonball Adderly, talks about the first two records (including this one) that Montgomery cut for Riverside, and explains the boastful title. He also puts the album in the broader context of Montgomery's brief but brilliant 9 year career.

...Wes Montgomery has planted the flag! This is one of the most dynamic and sonically interesting works of jazz I've had the pleasure to hear in a long time. Never really a big fan of jazz guitar, works like Bill Frisell's Have a Little Faith have started to attract me to the appeal of jazz guitar, and this CD continues that trend. Wes keeps every song going steadily from start to finish, whether a soothing ballad or a rocking blues riff, with (what must be) intricate fingering at a lightening speed and nary a clue as to how he gets the strings to make the sounds they do. That's always been the epitome of jazz guitar for me: when the sound is so seamless that it doesn't even sound like strings were plucked but more like they were simply asked to sing and then do. Montgomery truly scales the heights with this work and guitar players will need to have this work as a point of reference for how high they can go, while jazz fans will want this to round out and diversify their collection.

I have always liked the jazz guitar, and Wes Montgomery has never let me down. His style and drive will always make him one of the best. And I would tell people that have never heard Wes play, this is the perfect CD to get you started. It has so much to offer, and with Tommy Flanagan, Percy Heath, and "Tootie" Heath playing excellent backdrop, Wes really shines in his ability to make you really hear the sound he wants to deliver. Thank you Wes, for the incredible sound.

I am a jazz guitarist and huge Wes Montgomery fan. Arguably, Wes' playing on this album is as good as any studio album that he made. As such, it's a must buy album if you have any interest in jazz guitar, at all. Wes Montgomery rises above the pack in the field of jazz guitar, and this album is a wealth of jazz guitar enlightenment. Wes was not the flashiest jazz guitarist, but his musicality, taste, and creativity were unparalleled. Never a wasted note. He never overplayed. Everything he played was a part of an idea, and his vision was about as perfect as it has come on the guitar. If someone said that this should be a first buy for Wes, I can't argue. The only criticism of this album, compared to his other great works, is the tone of his guitar. The ideas contained within this album are a virtual gold mine for aspiring, transcribing guitarists, but they'll be robbed of experiencing Wes' great tone. Wes achieved an absolutely gorgeous sound on guitar and it is not found on this album. As a listening experience, other albums like, "Smokin' At The Halfnote", "Boss Guitar", or "Further Adventures of Jimmy & Wes", to name a few, might be better purchases, in terms of really capturing the full Wes Montgomery experience. With "Incredible Jazz Guitar" you get supreme playing, but you don't "experience" the full artistry of Wes. This is not a knock on Wes, but the recording engineers. Wes was noted for verbalizing dissatisfaction with the guitar tone that was achieved on his albums. I can't help but wonder if this was one of the albums that prompted those comments.

This is the first album of Wes' that I've owned. This is a fantastic album. The playing is superb. The songs are consistently strong. The sound quality is excellent.

Wes Montgomery speaks clearly for himself in his playing. No one is more composed. These songs are real jazz, not the pop stuff his label made him play for greater and wider listener acceptance. This is great listening for the casual fan as the music is mellow and relaxing. Not bad to play along too either for the practicing improvisationist.

This is a great album by wes montgomery! This album has a huge influence on me and the guitar playing is incredible and beautiful i love it. This is actually the first jazz guitar album i have ever bought and im so glad to have it in my collection. I love how mellow and relaxing this album is its very peaceful. I look forward to buying more of wes's albums in the future. I love the beautiful guitar playing on In your own sweet way its a beautiful piece. Also this album has paved the way for me to buy django reinhardt and charlie christian which i have never heard. Jazz music is beautiful.

Even if you're not already a jazz guitar fan, you will love this--all it takes is a few minutes listening to this unbelievable talent.

Wes Montgomery's unique style is a total trip to enjoy the sound of the jazz guitar on this CD. Specially West Coast Blues and other masterpieces. Definetly a must have for jazz lovers.

Wes has to be the all time great player. Great album. A must for any collection