Customer Reviews

Jimmy & Wes: Dynamic Duo

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's amazing what can happen when you put two master musicians like Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery in the same room, as this classic album documents. Supported by players like drummer Grady Tate, Clark Terry, and Ray Barretto, and arranger Oliver Nelson, Jimmy & Wes go to town on "The Dynamic Duo". "James & Wes", "Night Train", and the cool spin they put on "Baby, It's Cold Outside" make this album a joy to listen again and again. The alternate take of "Road Song" at the end is the cream on the cake, and in my opinion is even better than the originally issued take. One of the first releases in Verve's excellent Master Edition series, the packaging and remastered sound make this the definitive issue of this jazz classic and one of my all time favorites.

Jimmy Smith, of course, is best know for his funky, soul-jazz and hard bop dates for Blue Note Records in the 50's and 60's (Check out his 1959 date with Kenny Burrell, Home Cookin'). He defected to Verve in the mid-60's and his product often suffered from over-packaging, as often was the case with his contemporary, Wes Montgomery. The problem with many of the Verve albums are their tendency to sweeten the proceedings with orchestral and big band backing, as well as short running times with tracks aimed at pop-airplay. This album, Dynamic Duo, has a big band; however, the music doesn't suffer. In fact, the groove is so heavy, so intense, it's easily the best thing Smith did since "Back at Chicken Shack," and Montgomery turns in his finest performance since "Full House." There's plenty of soul, grease, blues and lot's of room for sweaty improvisation on this masterful album beautifully recorded by master engineer Rudy Van Gelder. You won't be dissappointed--the groove goes down, and the track "Night Train" is a masterpiece.

Even If you're turned off by the idea of the Oliver Nelson arranged and Creed Taylor produced charts(I was when I first saw this album), Jimmy and Wes' telephathic interplay may let you forget about the big band dressing. On "Night Train" I ocassionaly like what the arrangements add to their playing. But what will really have your head shaking with amazement is the intense interplay on the horn-less "James and Wes". There's a real live feeling to this album. Grady Tate also deserves alot of credit. He fills in the gaps with crisp dynamics and sounds as good as I've heard him.

I saw Jimmy Smith's group play live recently (the best show I've ever been to) and this album (out of all of his records) comes the closest in matching the fire and intensity of that performance.

Not my favorite Jimmy Smith recording, but quite enjoyable nonetheless. I prefer Smith's "Back At The Chicken Shack" (a little bit funkier) and "Organ Grinder Swing" (more groovin'). To hear the essence of Montgomery, you might want to check out his "The Incredible Jazz Guitar". Bringing talents like this together doesn't always result in their best work, which I feel like is the case here (although it is still top-notch). Montgomery's guitar almost takes a back seat to Smith's boisterous playing. It is fortunate that these two brilliant musicians found each other and created this recommended, but not, in my estimation, "essential" classic.

This is one of the true jazz classics, a meeting of two giants of soul, funk, and blues. In his later years, Wes Montgomery's music often found its way to AM radio, but when paired with the phenomenal Jimmy Smith, Wes smokes like no other. On "13 (Death March)," a big band intro reminiscent of Sean Connery-era James Bond leads the way into truly great soloing from Wes and Jimmy. Another highlight is the previously unissued take of "Road Song," a small group number that finds Smith and Montgomery vamping behind funky percussion from Ray Barretto and Grady Tate. Oliver Nelson's charts provide just the right swinging backdrop for the Dynamic Duo's near telepathic interplay. All in all, a must-have in every jazz collection.

This is one of greatest jazz recordings ever - the greatest jazz organist, the greatest jazz guitarist, the cream of the crop of jazz studio musicians and a superlative big band score.
While Jimmy Smith had a prolific career spanning decades, Wes Montgomery died not long after this recording of a heart attack. This and A Day in the Life are his two great recordings. The recording quality of this is superior to the later. And this has more pure jazz improvisation.
There is something indifinable about the mix of these two geniuses, but this recording really cooks!
I have had this recording in various incarnations since it came out, and never get tired of it.
I am listening to it now and it is 1,000 volt sound!
If you don't have it, get it.

I have been a Wes Montgomery fan for the majority of my life. And a majority of that part, i have only known the orchestral side of him, that I was introduced to as a real young kid. Perhaps, that was the only jazz introduction I got as a real little kid, before around age 12 where I got into heavy jazz.

This was my first introduction to the real jazz side of him. IT was owned by my uncle who had put it on the turntable, where I admired it in awh. "That's the same guy who played, Elenore Rigby?"

Jimmy Smith, monster of the Hammond B-3 compliments Wes good. The whole album is great! It's basically just another jazz album, but never-the-less has some killer tracks!





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I have been a Wes Montgomery fan for the majority of my life. And a majority of that part, i have only known the orchestral side of him, that I was introduced to as a real young kid. Perhaps, that was the only jazz introduction I got as a real little kid, before around age 12 where I got into heavy jazz.

This was my first introduction to the real jazz side of him. IT was owned by my uncle who had put it on the turntable, where I admired it in awh. "That's the same guy who played, Elenore Rigby?"

Jimmy Smith, monster of the Hammond B-3 compliments Wes good. The whole album is great! It's basically just another jazz album, but never-the-less has some killer tracks!

Both Smith and Montgomery cook on this. The interaction between them is very intense. Oliver Nelson's arraignments are very hip. This is one of those recordings where everything is right. The whole thing just swings the most. You can't go wrong with this one.

anyone who knows jazz knows that jimmy smith OWNS the hammond B3 organ. but once you add wes montgomery with his nasty little nuggets of guitar accompaniment, the result may give you the chills at times. they understand each other musically on a level at which the average human being cannot comprehend. jimmy and wes know where they want their music to go and together they take it there with impeccable style, syncopation and tightness. their version of 'night train' captures the essence of that tune like no performance i've heard before. 'james and wes' is the real reason to buy this album though. that is the tune where they literally read each other's minds to bring you just the right amount of funkiness; no more and no less. that is the tune that makes you realize what kind of monsters you are dealing with here.