Riverside 12RCD-4408-2
Riverside Records
Tenth and Parker
Berkeley, CA 94710

Never before has there been a jazz musician who has had an influence on so many players as Wes Montgomery. Most of the top players today credit him with fueling their desire to play jazz guitar. His incredible sense of phrasing, harmonic structure and note selection was unique, always advancing in its own distinctive way. Montgomery was as contemporary and forward thinking as any artist who has ever played and this recorded legacy is truly priceless.

This collection of 12 CDs encompasses his total output for the Riverside label. Fans eagerly awaited each album which were pressed between 1959 and 1963. The 25 recording sessions resulted in an amazing exhibition of small group energy and creativity. Wes was surrounded by the greatest players of that era, and each album seemed to surpass the previous one.

In 1964 the Riverside label was forced to go out of business and Montgomery moved to the Verve label where producer Creed Taylor moved him into his so-called "commercial" period. These later recordings are the ones most available to young players of today. Although his virtuosity still shone through in this new venture, the early Riverside works are truly the groundbreaking efforts that stand as the basis of Wes' legacy.

Disc One was originally issued as Wes Montgomery Trio featuring Mel Rhyne on organ and Paul Parker on drums. There are original and alternate takes of "Satin Doll" and "Missile Blues." Montgomery's solo on "Round Midnight" is described by producer Orrin Keepnews as one of his most emotional recorded efforts. The second Disc, titled The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery, has Tommy Flanagan on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Albert "Tootie" Heath on drums joining Wes for a truly amazing recording. Original compositions become more prevalent with "West Coast Blues" making its debut along with "Four On Six" and "D Natural Blues." Wes establishes a pattern of blistering single note solos followed by octave choruses and block chord movement that defy the laws of physics.

The remaining selections in this compilation showcase so many legendary players and high-level performances that choosing a favorite is difficult, at best. Montgomery had an uncanny knack of bringing out the absolute best of anyone with whom he recorded. And, given the list of artists employed by this label, that was no small task. Pianists included Victor Feldman, George Shearing, Dick Hyman, and Wynton Kelly. Cannonball Adderly, Johnny Griffen, and Harold Land were some of the wind players. Bassists Sam Jones, Keter Betts, and Paul Chambers contributed their talents. Drummers Louis Hayes, Bobby Thomas, Jimmy Cobb, George Brown, and Philly Joe Jones were some of the timekeepers, providing wonderful drive and punch to these sessions.

There are 158 performances included in this box set, 49 of which are alternates or previously not released. Sixteen tracks were not issued prior to this collection. A 32-page insert accompanying the set shows each original album cover and a detailed description of each recording session written by Keepnews is also included. The anecdotal information alone is priceless to Montgomery fans providing personal insight to each of the albums never presented before. Montgomery is memorialized in tributes written by Jim Ferguson, Nat Adderley, Kenny Burrell, and Jim Hall as well as others whose lives he touched with his music and his persona. This is a powerful section of recollection and inspiration that truly shows his legacy on and off the bandstand.

All of Montgomery's best small group performances and classic original tunes are included in this one collection. Whether it is Boss Guitar, Full House, Cannonball Adderley and the Poll Winners or Wes Montgomery with Strings, each disc seems to be even better than the one before. Wes had a technical command of the instrument and unique sound when, combined with his emotional texture, draws the listener into an unparalleled musical experience. This amazing collection of recorded material is best compared to a novel that is difficult to put down once it is begun. Any student of jazz guitar should begin their research in the genre with this compilation. This masterpiece of musical history must be included in the library of any guitarist seeking true inspiration.

Related link

The Complete Riverside Recordings on Amazon.com