"Wes" Montgomery was an American jazz guitarist. Montgomery was known for his unusual technique of plucking the strings with the side of his thumb, and for his extensive use of octaves, which gave him a distinctive sound. His recordings up to 1965 were oriented towards hard bop, soul jazz, and post bop, but around 1965 he began recording more pop-oriented instrumental albums that found mainstream success. His later guitar style influenced jazz fusion and smooth jazz.
When I was a child, my dad had two Wes compilations. One was called "Wes' Greatest Hits" and the other was called "Panorama". I dont remember which one it was, bur one these records had THIS song on it. I was just a kid. I didnt know anything about Benny Golson or anything about Wes for that matter! ..but i LOVED that record..and i love this song. I finally got the CD back in the 90's.. Thank you for posting this!
The syncopated chord melody around 4.40 is amongst the most beautiful guitar playing I've ever heard. I discovered this album in 1981 and was blown away, such a loss at an early age. Thanks for your upload.
It has been a pleasure to learn Jazz Classics on a guitar and to hear Wes Montgomery playing. 😊 A great gift of musical history. I hope to see him playing in the new world, one day. 😊
This guy has a touch unequalled in this universe; years ago my sister sent me a CD Wes Montgomery live at Tsubo 1962. I San Francisco at the time Miles Davis gave his crew the week-end off. They jammed impromptu with Wes in Berkeley. The result “ Full House” knocked me out.
Didn't they do a lot of overdubbing of "live" albums back in the day? I think Smokin At The Half Note was the same way. Not saying this is like that but just that it might be.
I read somewhere that the classic solo was formed by splicing 3 different solos by Wes. Artificial or not, it is a classic which blends so well with the song, a timeless solo that you could listen to for a lifetime and never be bored
I am playing this album for my father, as he passes from this world to the next. A jazz/Wes fan from the “good ol’ days.” Love ya forever-see ya in the next!
I agree he's my favorite jazz musician right up there with Sonny Rollins John Coltrane and Louis Armstrong and West Montgomery is my favorite of all of them all