Open Web Player
![Forever [Black/Clear Split LP] [Amazon Exclusive]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41IgJ8xGC7L.__AC_SR166,182___.jpg)
![Live At The Wiltern [Bronze/Black Swirl 3 LP] [Amazon Exclusive]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41SlYFgx4KL.__AC_SR166,182___.jpg)
![Found Heaven [Oil Slick Edition LP] [Amazon Exclusive]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/3143NDV0NSL.__AC_SR166,182___.jpg)
![att. [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51rF3%2B4Xx3L.__AC_SR166,182___.jpg)
![Back To Black: Songs From The Original Motion Picture [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41dN%2B0TaRQL.__AC_SR166,182___.jpg)
![eternal sunshine (slightly deluxe) [Clean]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31hy%2B6jz1YL.__AC_SR166,182___.jpg)
After the fine Resonance Records Montgomery release "Echoes Of Indiana Avenue" we now have an even better set of early Montgomery. The mastering and sound restoration is about as good as it can be, from old tapes recorded live with less than optimal equipment. Overall the sound is slightly flat with some loss of depth. But don't let that deter you from this great example of why Montgomery is considered as important as Charlie Christian was in his era. Disc 1 is 69+ minutes, Disc 2 is about 68+ minutes in length. The 53 page booklet has a nice essay on Montgomery and the music with music historian Ashley Khan, jazz writer Bill Milkowski, Quincy Jones, Pete Townshend, and a couple of others all contributing, along with complete track personnel, along with a few period photos. The discs snap inside a tri-fold cardboard package with a slot in the middle for the booklet. The disc trays have period photos of Montgomery and a band on stage, and the packaging includes other nice memorabilia. This is somewhere around a five "star" release--especially if you're an early period Montgomery fan
For fans (like me) of Montgomery's early/mid period, before he went the more commercial route to feed his family this is something to get excited about. Musicians on the live sides, recorded between 1956-58 at various local Indianapolis clubs and at Ervena Montgomery's living room (track 14) on Disc 1, include Montgomery and his brothers, Buddy and Monk (hear The Montgomery Brothers albums or the great band The Mastersounds, with Monk on vibes) on piano (vibes on "Ralph's New Blues") and bass respectively, the fine tenor sax of locals Pookie Johnson, and long time drummer Sonny Johnson, along with local unknowns John Coker-piano, John Dale-bass, and on two tracks Debbie Andrews on vocals. Montgomery puts down the guitar and plays bass on "Ralph's New Blues". Disc 2 has three live tracks from 1958 including the fine Melvin Rhyne-piano, plus Richard Crabtree or Buddy Montgomery--piano, the equally good Flip Stewart-bass, and Paul Parker-drums, also recorded at local clubs. The studio sides from 1955 (tracks 4-8) is a quintet including the same players as Disc 1 Track 1. Track 9 is an unknown band except for Montgomery and Johnson on sax from 1957. Track 10-12, from 1949 recorded at Spire Records, includes Montgomery, Roy Johnson-bass, Douglas Duke-piano, Gene Morris-tenor sax, and Earl Walker-drums, along with Sonny Parker-vocals on track 12. Track 11 has an unlisted vocalist in the post-war blues/r&b style which is actually pretty good.
In a nutshell--this is definitely worth adding to your Montgomery shelf. This set can easily sit next to the previous "Echoes Of..." release, and any other live sets from Montgomery's early period. From "After You've Gone", to "Fascinating Rhythm", to "What Is There To Say?", to "Four" ((played at blazing speed and accuracy), to "Caravan", and on and on, this may be even better than the "Echoes Of..." album. The local players acquit themselves handily (especially Pookie Johnson's sax work, along with Buddy Montgomery's rapid runs up and down the keyboard) on the fine "My Heart Stood Still" for just one example. And that's just Disc 1.
Disc 2 has more great live tunes ("Soft Winds", "Robin's Nest"--with a fast fade-in, "A Night In Tunisia"--a nice version of this workhorse tune--listen to the guitar and drums) that make you wish you were there. The studio tracks have better fidelity but still suffer slightly with a slight loss of depth in the sound from recording techniques of the day. A few high points--"Love For Sale" is another great version with the entire quintet blowing some swinging changes. "Leila" is a ballad that is like a soothing balm to the ears after the up-tempo numbers, with some fine Buddy Montgomery piano. "Undecided" has more fine Montgomery piano and brush work from Johnson. And Pookie Johnson has a very nice solo that makes you wonder why he wasn't more well known. The final studio track, "Far Wes", is good but nothing as great as the best stuff here. This well known tune can be heard on other sets with a typically good Montgomery guitar sound--but I'm splitting hairs here.
Track 9, the live "All The Things You Are" suffers from poor fidelity, but is still listenable for fans--if you own other similar live recordings you've heard worse and you've heard better. Tracks 10-12 are actually pretty decent sounding for the era and have that late post-war jazz/r&b sound so popular then, with the accent on the tenor sax. Montgomery's guitar work is formative here (obviously) and he sticks pretty much to the background, as he does on track 12 "Smooth Evening".
As I said--this is something that Montgomery fans need to hear. Do yourself a favor and put this high on your "to buy" list. You won't be sorry. Hopefully there's more where this set came from.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Frequently bought together
$14.98
Get it as soon as Friday, May 3
Only 6 left in stock - order soon.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Reviews with images
This is Wes at his Best!
This is Wes at his best...for that period of time in his early development. Probably early to mid 1950s. These are extremely rare recordings that possibly might have never seen the light of day. These were recorded several years before he became famous with big hits like Bumpin on Sunset and Goin out of My Head. We are very fortunate to have these recordings from the greatest jazz guitarist to ever pick up the box!
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2015
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2015
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2022
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2015
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2015
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2016
This is Wes at his best...for that period of time in his early development. Probably early to mid 1950s. These are extremely rare recordings that possibly might have never seen the light of day. These were recorded several years before he became famous with big hits like Bumpin on Sunset and Goin out of My Head. We are very fortunate to have these recordings from the greatest jazz guitarist to ever pick up the box!
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Andrew Zografos
Great music even if u have most Wes Montgomery
Reviewed in Canada on June 6, 2015
Amazon Customer
This set got good reviews so I ordered it despite the high price
Reviewed in Canada on December 3, 2015