Wes Montgomery: The Incredible Jazz Guitar- OJ Classics (LP, 1982, NM)
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Description
Original Jazz Classics Series (1982) Wes Montgomery: The Incredible Jazz Guitar 150g vinyl Considered the pinnacle of Wes Montgomery’s career, “The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery” is a classic of the jazz genre, and since 2017 has been included in the National Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.
The incredible Wes Montgomery of 1960 was more discernible and distinctive than the guitarist who would emerge a few years later as a pop stylist and precursor to George Benson in the '70s. On this landmark recording, Montgomery veered away from his home Indianapolis-based organ combo with Melvin Rhyne, the California-based Montgomery Brothers band, and other studio sidemen he had been placed with briefly. Off to New York City and a date with Tommy Flanagan's trio, Montgomery seems in his post- to hard bop element, swinging fluently with purpose, drive, and vigor not heard in an electric guitarist since bop progenitor Charlie Christian.
Setting him apart from the rest, this recording established Montgomery as the most formidable modern guitarist of the era, and eventually its most influential. There's some classic material here, including the cat-quick but perhaps a trifle anxious version of the Sonny Rollins bop evergreen "Airegin," the famous repeated modal progressive and hard bop jam "Four on Six," and Montgomery's immortal soul waltz "West Coast Blues," effortlessly rendered with its memorable melody and flowing, elegant chiffon-like lines. Flanagan, at a time shortly after leaving his native Detroit, is the perfect pianist for this session. He plays forcefully but never overtly so on the bop tracks, offering up his trademark delicacy on the laid-back "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" and easy-as-pie "Gone with the Wind." With the dynamic Philadelphia rhythm section of brothers Percy Heath on bass and drummer Albert Heath, they play a healthy Latin beat on the choppy and dramatic melody of Montgomery's original "Mr. Walker." Montgomery is clearly talented beyond convention, consistently brilliant, and indeed incredible in the company of his sidemen, and this recording -- an essential addition to every jazz guitarist fan's collection -- put him on the map. (All Music)
Recorded in New York; January 26 and 28, 1960.
SIDE A 1. Airegin
2. D-Natural Blues
3. Polka Dots and Moonbeams
4. Four on Six
SIDE B 1. West Coast Blues
2. In Your Own Sweet Way
3. Mister Walker 4. Gone with the Wind
Guitar – Wes Montgomery Bass – Percy Heath
Cover – Harris Lewine, Ken Braren, Paul Bacon (2)
Drums – Albert Heath
Engineer [Recording] – Jack Higgins
Lacquer Cut By – GH*
Liner Notes – Ira Gitler
Photography By [Cover And Back-Liner Photographs By] – Lawrence N. Shustak
Piano – Tommy Flanagan
Producer, Liner Notes – Orrin Keepnews
Vinyl:
NM Jacket:
EX
ONLY PLAYED TWICE
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