When I was in my early 20's I bought his album Full House. His play was shocking to the ear which was accustomed to rock/blues guitar. Esp. his three-stage-rocket-like solos (single notes, octaves & block chords) were simply mind blowing. Wes Montgomery has never ceased to amaze me to this day.
@ Jim Blues: Wes had a similar effect on me when I first heard him on "Smoking at the Half Note," the very first real jazz album I ever owned and to this day, an absolute favorite - something I really treasure. Wes' approach was unique and so musical. I believe that it came from listening not just to individual musicians and small groups, but big bands. He toured with Lionel Hampton for a while in the late 1940s, as you may know. When he builds to a climactic peak soloing in block chords, it sounds like the "shout chorus" being played by a big band. You can hear it on his 1966 track, "Sundown," a bluesy number from the album "California Dreaming." On it, Wes plays alone with the rhythm section on part of the tune, and is answered late in the form - where he would usually play block chords - by the full horn section of the big band. Everything Wes did was so hip, so musical, and so musically-logical, but he made it all sound effortless, as the great ones always do. The man was an absolute genius.
I recall feeling really bad when Mr. Montgomery passed. It was a shock to us. Most of us had just discovered this amazing man. A perfect guitar sound. Such a pleasant guy too. ❤
The way Wes Montgomery plays is so satisfying in many ways. Melodic, with runs and chords and interesting sounding notes. Sadly, if he played today, many would say he does it wrong by playing with his thumb, his guitar tilted back to see the fretboard and is he muting properly, etc. And all these " wrong" ways = musical jazz guitar genius. There's a lesson there. No innovation= stagnation.
"Sadly, if he played today, many would say he does it wrong by playing with his thumb" Why would you ever care about this imaginary situation? lmao, this is neurotic bro.
He truly is amazing. The musicians that play with him are amazing too. You sound pretty good yourself. I’ve been checking out more of your performances and they are excellent. The musicians you play with are great too.
@@wesm65 I think it’s a goal for musicians in general to be this comfortable with their instrument and come up with creative lines on it like Wes Montgomery does on his guitar.
This was broadcasted at some point in history on Channel M6, which was a french slightly alternative channel in the 90s. Think that without the personn who recorded that (on VHS) there would be no more trace of this expetionnal live. Thank you Mr. , you saved a piece of history.
Very few can push your jazz button ( hard ) the way Montgomery could. With his unique style of playing and easy laid back manner he broke on the scene and made cats sit up and take notice quick. There are many Wes tunes that are my favorite, to many to name now but "Full House is in the top fifty. Montgomery blows though this track like a preacher at a old time revival meeting bringing fire with each cord played. Deacon Wynton Kelly in the amen corner baptizing all in ear shot with his wicked piano while Paul Chambers is ushering in all listeners with his spirited bass work. Full House is a Wes tune one never tires of hearing. Can I get an amen on that?
Hello. Not trying to offend anybody, just clear up.That isn't the Wynton Kelly Trio. It is: Harold Mabern on piano, Arthur Harper on bass, and Jimmy Lovelace on drums. Great trio that went under the radar. Peace.
Watch closely to see Wes playing the short bass notes in tandem with Arthur the second time through the head, the second one fretted by his left thumb quickly wrapping around the neck. That small series of trills Wes plays @<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="359">5:59</a> reminds me of Coltrane's live recordings of "My Favorite Things". With Harold Mabern, piano, bassist Arthur Harper and drummer Jimmy Lovelace. (BBC Jazz 625).
The music of Faso is an inexhaustible source of sweetness. It allows us to plunge deep inside ourselves and at the same time resonate with our fellow man, Yé Lassina Coulibaly❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
There will never be another Wes. I remember speaking to an old timer who met with Wes between sets. Said he was a great guy who really loved coffee. He said he drank about 5 cups in about a half hour. How things changed with musicians over time
Well I don’t know what It is that i’m hearing, what is going one even. But I love it... Wes looks so damn happy to be playing it’s hard to not enjoy listening!
Harold Mabern is something of a quiet legend. He belongs in the absolute top rank of musicians who have played modern jazz. He was every bit the equal and an ideal foil for Wes Montgomery during the 1965 tour. Mabes, as he is called, is still alive and well, and tours with tenor sax great Eric Alexander. I have caught him live a few times in recent years, and Mabern hasn't lost a beat. He's still amazing. A very fine gentleman, too.
That is true genus. Although, I admire and respect many musicians who were formally schooled and nurtured at an early age, but, sometimes.... the true genus and talent is when someone just picks up an instrument at whatever age and makes music history.
@@skineyemin4276 I think too that it goes to show that it's not what time that you start something, it's how much time you put into something after you start it.
echt witziger Kommentator hinterläst einen Könner, der bis zum letzten Takt verschämt und genial ist......allercoooolste , sympathische Weltgeschichte....:-)
Get to read comments from those who were there. Man these are amazing Montgomery shots. The Oldest thing I have is Japanese pressings of the Montgomery Brothers. He blossomed into a true genius inventing so much the Guitar. Some of you probably had lunch with him heard him live. Well at 70 I am too young,
This whole group behind Wes - Harold Mabern on piano, Art Harper on bass, and Jimmy Lovelace on drums - were all absolute masters of jazz. Tremendous players who ought to be better known.
I was very fortunate to see Wes Montgomery when I was a teen in Atlanta at the Stadium same night Thelonius Monk Dionne Warwick Nina Simone Woody Hermann Cannonball Adderly Herbie Mann several others it was a two day Jazz festival and it changed my life. Thank you great musicians for your inspiration!
Thanks so much my friend, I really appreciate that. I have the backing track and the scores from a Jamey Aebersold book, no tabs though, anyway I learnt the melody by ear and improvised the solos.
I too love watching him. His body language and facial expressions shows that he is one with the music - he beams with joy. The piano player is Herbert Malpern. In the beginning of his Europe tour, Wes played with European musicians, who - with all respect - was not as good as the American. When The Herbert Malpern trio joined him in Europe, the rhythm section tightened up nicely behind him.
Harold Mabern is the pianist here. The British bands behind Wes were pedestrian and rather mediocre, but the Dutch musicians who played behind Wes in that nation were absolutely first-rate. Wes and them did a killer version of the old Horace Silver tune, "Nica's Dream," if you want to look for it on You Tube.
I used to get really annoyed when beginning guitar students always tended to rest their four fingers on the body of the guitar and play with their thumbs. I used to think "who would do that? How can they hope to ever sound good?" Then one day I watched Wes on video for the first time and it was... well, sobering to say the least
I agree. It’s absolutely mindboggling how he pulls it off. Excellent technique with excellent tone and phrasing and just one thumb does it all. Amazing!
Thanks a lot for posting this video including the funny introduction...Wes simply had the best phrasing on jazz guitar ever, no doubt! I tried to make my own modest tribute, you can check my channel, but I just can't swing that much.
