A Dynamic New Sound: Guitar/Organ/Drums

by The Wes Montgomery Trio, Wes Montgomery

Overview

While even label executive Orrin Keepnews admits that The Wes Montgomery Trio may have fallen short of representing Montgomery's talent, he still felt that this debut captured a large portion of it. Recorded on October 5 and 6 in 1959, guitarist Montgomery is joined by organist Melvin Rhyne and drummer Paul Parker. Montgomery's style, block chords and octaves, is already firmly in place, and he delivers lovely solos on "'Round Midnight," "Whisper Not," and "Satin Doll." The choice of material, in fact, from classics like "Yesterdays" to originals like Montgomery's "Jingles," never falters. The only drawback is that the accompaniment, which though solid, doesn't seem to perfectly match his guitar style. One gets the impression that Montgomery's forceful, deliberate style would be better-served by beefier arrangements. Having said this, Montgomery's performance -- coming at the end of a decade represented by guitarists like Tal Farlow and Barney Kessel -- must have been a revolution in technique and execution. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a 36-year-old guitarist re-imagines the jazz guitar solo. There are two bonus tracks on The Wes Montgomery Trio: extra takes of "Satin Doll" and "Missile Blues." Although later Riverside recordings of Montgomery are more fully realized, fans will enjoy returning to the moment when he first burst upon the jazz scene. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

Product Details

Release Date:	12/22/2023
Label:	Wax Time
UPC:	8435723700814
Rank:	29164

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Wes Montgomery Trio   Primary Artist
Wes Montgomery   Primary Artist,Guitar
Melvin Rhyne   Guest Artist,Organ
Paul Parker   Drums

Technical Credits

Burton Lane   Composer
Paul Bacon   Design,Cover Art,Cover Design,Cover Production
Jerome Kern   Composer
Bernie Hanighen   Composer
Jack Higgins   Engineer
Duke Ellington   Composer
Alan Jay Lerner   Composer
Benny Golson   Composer
Edward Redding   Composer
Leonard Feather   Composer
Joe Tarantino   Mastering,Remastering
Johnny Mercer   Composer
Wes Montgomery   Composer,Performer
Horace Silver   Composer
Billy Strayhorn   Composer
Otto Harbach   Composer
Thelonious Monk   Composer
Cootie Williams   Composer
Orrin Keepnews   Producer,Liner Notes
Ken Braren   Design,Cover Art
Harris Lewine   Design,Cover Art,Cover Design,Cover Production