Search - Wes Montgomery :: Full House

Royal Flush

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 11/15/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sometimes you walk into a record store or browse a catalog and discover an old friend. I'm referring to a musical friend that you've shared memories with, old vynyl that has morphed into a modern CD or a "newly" discovered reel of tape remastered. Thus was the experience I had recently when looking through the Wes Montgomery stacks. An innovator and inspiration for other jazz guitarists, Wes was in his day just slightly ahead of his times. He raised the level of jazz guitar to new heights all the while exposing his art to a new audience. This is a live recording of Wes at the top of his form in his free wheeling phase, straight ahead jazz without the strings and pop arraignments that would be assocaited with him later. I had the opportunity of seeing Wes years ago at a small jazz club then known as The Lighthouse, in Redondo Beach, California. It was a memorable experience to not be forgotten back in the days of grey smoke curling about everywhere as the musicians played to applause after each solo. This CD captures some of that magic of Wes's guitar playing. To label this a Wes Montgomery CD is a bit of a misnomer as the accompanying musicians are all masters in their own right. He has the rhythmn section of the Miles Davis Sextext from 1962 playing with him. Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb(who all also played with John Coltrane) drive the music for fantastic solos by featured sax man Johnny Griffin and of course Wes. The interaction between musians is superb and even more incredible considering that the "group" was assembled just for the recording on a "night off" of the rhythmn section! Lots of high energy straight ahead jazz here, no pop (schlock) jazz here, just pure American art form, improvisational jazz at it's best. Recorded nearly 40 years ago the music is a glimse at a piece of Americana. The sounds are from a different era but for jazz aficionados this is one to add to your collection. The emphasis is not on Wes only and the CD has a feel of a jam session by a close knit group of musicians. All the pieces fit together, separating throughout in improvisation, reconvening on time, bringing all the pices together for some smooth jazz. The audience sounds a little polite but enthusiastic in their appreciation. As I said, even though it is being sold as a Wes Montgomery recording it is a total cohesive effort, really without stars or main attractions. The solos are long and the numbers are as well. This is the way true jazz usually is. Griffin has some great solos as sax is usually the featured soloist. All soloists are featured without overly stressing Wes and his magnificent playing, but one can't help but marvel at his technique as it is copied by many now. Probably the most famous would be George Benson and Lee Ritenour just to name a few who have "that sound". Wes plays a variety of styles on this CD, sometimes jazzy, sometimes bluesy, fused at times but it is his fast, fluid, liquid style that lets you know it is unmistakeably Wes Montomery at the height of his jazz powers. If you remember Wes this wil be a good addition to your colection of straight ahead jazz, pure and straight no chaser, the forerunner of pop jazz."