AVID Jazz here presents three classic Wes Montgomery albums plus, including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD. “The Wes Montgomery Trio”, “Montgomeryland”, “The Incredible Jazz Guitar”and “Movin Along” (minus one track!). The original liner notes for “Trio” describe how label owner Orrin Keepnews was urged by Cannonball Adderley and a review by composer, musician and critic Gunther Schuller to check out an “extraordinarily spectacular……unbearably exciting” young guitarist by the name of Wes Montgomery. Listen for yourself and you will discover that their enthusiasm was well founded! “Trio” is now becoming hard to find on CD! For “Montgomeryland” we discover that Wes’s self taught style had much in common with that of John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins in that instead of the flowing style of Charlie Christian his was of a more jabbing, fierce intensity, attacking the instrument in the same way the two saxophonists attacked their horns. On the album we hear the Montgomery brothers (Wes, Monk and Buddy) along with the underrated tenor sax of Harold Land all on excellent form, the brothers happy to be together again. “Montgomeryland” is only available as a full price double CD! “The Incredible Jazz Guitar” is arguably the best Montgomery album available and there are moments during this fine album where Wes really does sound like “The Master”! As the albums original liner notes contest, employing a quote from respected music journalist Ralph J Gleason………”Make no mistake, Wes Montgomery is the best thing to happen to the guitar since Charlie Christian”. Finally six tracks from “Movin Along” from a “phenomenal and drastically original guitarist” who was almost dragged out of domestic bliss (and rearing six children!) by Cannonball Adderley who was passing through his home town of Indianapolis. By the end of 1960 Wes Montgomery had (seemingly albeit reluctantly) firmly established himself on the jazz scene and was now quite literally “Movin Along”! All three albums plus have been digitally re-mastered for probably the finest sound quality ever!
CD1 1-9: ‘The Wes Montgomery Trio’ 1. ‘Round Midnight 2. Yesterdays 3. The End Of A Love Affair 4. Whisper Not 5. Ecaroh 6. Satin Doll 7. Missile Blues 8. Too Late Now 9. Jingles 10-17: ‘Montgomeryland’ 10. Monk’s Shop 11. Summertime 12. Falling In Love With Love 13. Renie 14. Far Wes 15. Leila 16. Old Folks 17. Wes’ Tune
CD2 1-8: ‘The Incredible Jazz Guitar’ 1. Airegin 2. D-Natural Blues 3. Polka Dots And Moonbeams 4. Four on Six 5. West Coast Blues 6. In Your Own Sweet Way 7. Mister Walker 8. Gone With The Wind 9. Movin’ Along from Movin’ Along 10. Tune-Up from Movin’ Along 11. I Don’t Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You from Movin’ Along 12. Body And Soul from Movin’ Along 13. So Do It! from Movin’ Along 14. Says You from Movin’ Along
