Wes Montgomery was, without a doubt, one of the greatest jazz guitar legends of all time. In less than ten years as a solo artist he recorded one of the most impressive canons of jazz guitar music ever assembled. First and foremost among his worthy offerings was "The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery."
This ambitious title album lives up to every bit of its name- as any serious jazz guitarist worth his chops will tell you. He is capably accompanied by Tommy Flannigan-piano, Percy Heath-bass and Albert Heath-drums.
In this great album Wes puts on a clinic for aspiring guitarists and jazzers alike. There is scant a plunked note or unfinished solo idea to be found amongst this amazing treasure trove of spectacularly crisp and original jazz innovation.
West Coast Blues is one of my favorite tracks on this album. In this one, Wes starts out by playing through the theme twice. It is one of four original Wes Montgomery tunes on the prodigious album. In it, Wes takes a swingin' blues progression, throws in an awesome tri-tone chord substitution leading to the IV.
After stating the theme, Wes makes ample use of the classic ii-V-I in a variety of keys spiraling on a journey through a variety of keys, finally arriving back in B-flat where it began. Over top of this great progression, Wes lays down amazing solo after amazing solo- starting with sequential patterns, moving to octaves, then to chord-melody and capping it off with amazing riffs highlighted by brilliant chord substitutions. Percy Heath then chimes in with three solid choruses on the piano.
Four on Six starts out with a driving bass riff solidly backed up by a driving drumbeat. Then Wes enters stating the theme crisply and succinctly. Again, brilliant soloing from the master guitarist ensues. Absolutely spectacular for any true jazzer! Another great original from Wes. This one really cooks!
D-Natural Blues is a capable jazz blues with some interesting variations to the classic 12 bar blues pattern.
Mister Walker (Renie)
Airegin- by Sonny Rollins
Gone With The Wind
In Your Own Sweet Way- by Dave Brubeck
Are also solid tracks on this pioneering jazz guitar album. If you have not listened to it already- pick it up and check it out. It is one of Wes' best studio albums- and, I believe, surpassed only by his later live albums: Smokin' at the Half Note, and Full House.
Keep on jazzin'!
Peace,
John
