Wes Montgomery - Plays the blues 1988 [EAC FLAC]

While many jazz purists have lambasted Montgomery and Verve for the crossover success the guitarist achieved during the latter half of the '60s, the sides themselves are actually quite good. Sure, Montgomery did concede the occasional pop cover ("California Dreaming"), but he always played his best, regardless. And then there are the many fine arrangements by Oliver Nelson, Claus Ogerman ("Bumpin' on Sunset"), Johnny Pate ("Movin' Wes, Pts. 1 & 2"), and Don Sebesky. Yes, several of them included strings, but they generally were tastefully arranged. And those crossover sounds people complain about? Well, they actually are some finely wrought soul-jazz grooves with a smattering of uptown touches. After you've done your homework with all those classic early-'60s Riverside dates by Montgomery, put your dancing shoes on and check out this high-end party soundtrack or the even better Montgomery edition of the Talkin' Verve series.

Release Year: 1988
Record Label: Verve
Genre: Guitar, Jazz Instrument

Tracklist:

1 - West Coast Blues
2 - The Thumb
3 - Born To Be Blue
4 - Unit 7
5 - Naptown Blues
6 - 'Round Midnight
7 - Sun Down
8 - Willow Weep For Me
9 - Twisted Blues
10 - James And Wes
11 - Tear It Down

Personnel:

Wes Montgomery (guitar); Danny Bank, Stanley Webb , Bob Ashton, Walter Kane, Raymond Beckenstein, Jerome Richardson, Phil Woods, Stan Webb, Romeo Penque (reeds); Clark Terry (trumpet, flugelhorn); Donald Byrd, Ernie Royal, Joe Newman , Snooky Young, Bernie Glow, Jimmy Maxwell, Jimmy Nottingham (trumpet); James Buffington (French horn); Danny Moore, Johnny Messner, Jimmy Cleveland, Melba Liston, Quentin Jackson, Urbie Green, Wayne Andre, Bill Watrous, Tony Studd, Chauncey Welsch (trombone); Harvey Phillips, Don Butterfield (tuba); Herbie Hancock, Wynton Kelly, Roger Kellaway, Bobby Scott (piano); Jimmy Smith (organ); Sol Gubin, Grady Tate, Jimmy Cobb (drums); Ray Barretto (congas).