Search - Wes Montgomery :: Incredible Jazz Guitar

5 Star - No Brainer!

JoeyD | los gatos, ca | 06/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I challenge people to turn off the lights, pop this one on, lay down on your bed and really focus and concentrate on that guitar playing of Mr. Montgomery. You will be mesmerized. For it's beyond amazing! This is one recording a jazz guitar player doesn't want to miss. However, any fan of the guitar, no matter what your favorite category of music may be, will still thoroughly enjoy listening to this legend. The man was arguably the greatest jazz guitarist ever. He is my personal favorite among many favorites (i.e. Grant Green, Kenny Burrell, Joe Pass, Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Jim Hall, Pat Metheny, et al... et al...). Out of all of the many great Wes Montgomery recordings I would put this one, along with "Smokin' at the Half Note", as my all-time most revered.



As Ralph J. Gleason, a very highly respected jazz writer, was quoted as saying in the original liner notes: "He (Montgomery) has the electric quality, that special gift of making whatever he does come alive, that marks the true artist. He has terrific swing, the ability to build solos dramatically (and) beautifully climax after climax, and everything he plays has a sense of rightness about it."



And what really makes this one even extra special is the trio behind Wes, backing him up are - Tommy Flanagan on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and his brother Albert Heath on drums. The swinging trio plays loose and always in perfect flow, each one of them turning in terrific performances. This is a definite must own for every fan of jazz out there. As you can see, the Amazon reviewers have spoken (as of today, this will be review #43) and it is rightfully holding a five-star status. I can't believe anyone would give this less."