Customer Reviews

Verve Jazz Masters 14

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This bargain collection is an excellent introduction to the work of jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery. it is not, however, a CD for purists. Montgomery is not afraid of pop, of lush strings, of Burt Bacharach covers, of the kind of Big Band kitsch you'd find in the 'Sound Gallery'. Neither am I, and there are some marvellous things here: the melodic breeze of 'Goin' out of my mind'; the aching melancholy of 'My one and only love'; the sublime theme and variations of 'What the world needs now'; the rigorous jam of 'No blues'; the 60s spy film-like excess of 'Caravan'. Like the Hemingway hero, whatever style is offered as musical backdrop, Montgomery's guitar exists in a mellow world of its own, exuding grace under pressure.

This compilation covers Montgomery's Verve years, 1964 to 1966. It's a great place to start for people wanting to discover Wes's music and his different styles. Included here, are not only some great jazz pieces like Coltrane's "Impressions" and Miles Davis' "No Blues", but also pop standards complete with a string orchestra, such as "Goin' out of my head" and "Oh! You crazy moon". Anyone who enjoys jazz guitar will love this album.

I ordered this CD for a gift, and I have the same CD, the music is awesome, and is timeless for its appeal to all generations. It is great music for everyone. Wes Montgomery was one of the best.

"A musician is like a sponge, taking in all kinds of musical and life experiences." ~ Jo Jones ~

On Liner Notes, Kenny Washington quoted a great drummer, Jo Jones, on how he likened a musician to a sponge and thinks that same is true with Wes Montgomery who was "sopping wet with influences that he took and made into a personal statement on his instrument." He further noted that "like Erroll Garner, Wes Montgomery was a self-taught musician who never read a note of music." That being the case, then Mr. Montgomery was truly a genius of guitar! He had been consistently delighting his fans with his guitar playing style and his incredible and bestselling recordings.

This pretty collage of smoldering guitar music will surely stir your emotions and will definitely drift you into another place and another time. It is fully loaded with some of the best melodies composed by great music makers, to mention a few - Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Burt Bacharach, Johnny Mandel and Wes Montgomery himself.

On all the tracks, Mr. Montgomery plays his guitar so splendidly starting off with "Goin' Out Of My Head," a very 1960-ish tune that became one of his greatest hits and this is the very same tune that made his career sparkle in the sixties.

Focus your ears and close your eyes while you're listening to track three, "My One And Only Love." It is so enchanting that I could listen to it over and over! Are you moved by its charms? Its orchestral arrangement by Don Sebesky is so splendid and I am simply mesmerized by the beautiful tone of Wes Montgomery's guitar. What a brilliant guitarist he was!

"Tequila" evokes images of the tropical isles of Sandals Caribbean Resorts enjoying the sun, relaxing and sipping Margarita drinks.

You'll also be delighted with his takes on "The Shadow Of Your Smile," "Caravan," "What The World Needs Now," "Oh! You Crazy Moon" and one of his originals, "Bumpin' On Sunset."

Listen now and enjoy! It only takes your tasteful ears to appreciate this awesome CD.

With my heartfelt recommendation.