Bumpin'

by Wes Montgomery

Overview

Taking the listener on a smoother, rather than bumpier, ride down the moonlight highway of jazz is Wes Montgomery, a chief architect of the world's guitar virtuoso scene. Not only is his brilliant command of the six-string present here, so is the vivid color tones of notes and blue notes played between. Backed up by a hauntingly beautiful and mesmerizing orchestra conducted and arranged by Don Sebesky, the music almost lifts the listener off his feet into a dreamy, water-like landscape. The atmosphere is serene and enchanting, such as a romantic evening for two under starlight, and certainly a romantic eve merits the accompaniment of this record. The sounds are soft, smooth, and silky, and Montgomery addresses full leadership of his graceful melodic style, fronting close to 20 members of a orchestra perhaps best described resonant and sweeping. So too are the sweeping note flows of Montgomery's guitar, and his surprising fluidness towards the art of comping, a necessary trait of the jazz guitar virtuoso. Even the unforgettable Jim Hall can be tickled and intrigued through a listen of these influential records, as for all amateur and professional guitar musicians. "A Quiet Thing" is perhaps the most somber, peaceful, and smooth piece on the record, demonstrating Montgomery's love of quiet, and how much the idea of not playing at all brings music to the listeners. The charming sounds of orchestral violas, violins, cellos, and harp are sent ablaze to create a pleasant atmosphere, either for a quick morning get up, get ready for work, or evening dining setting. "Here's That Rainy Day" is an up-tempo bossa nova tune that resonates with Montgomery's enticing chordal changes and blissful phrasing, not to mention the blend of harp and strings lays the groundwork for a perfect rainy day inside, with drops pattering at the windows and fires aglow. The recording engineer did a wonderful job with this album. The sound quality is clear and lush, and, overall, this collection of mid-'60s cool jazz is a delight to listen too, once and again. ~ Shawn M. Haney

Product Details

Release Date:	06/02/2023
Label:	Elemental
UPC:	0600753970942
Rank:	6072

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Wes Montgomery   Primary Artist,Guitar
Roger Kellaway   Guest Artist,Piano
Grady Tate   Guest Artist,Drums
Charles McCracken   Cello
Gene Orloff   Violin
Bob Cranshaw   Bass,Double Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Harold Coletta   Viola
David Schwartz   Viola
Margaret Ross   Harp
Louis Haber   Violin
Paul Gershman   Violin
Lewis Eley   Violin
Candido Camero   Bongos,Congas
Helcio Milito   Drums
George Ricci   Cello,Violin
Julius Held   Violin
Don Sebesky   Conductor
Harry Lookofsky   Violin
Joseph Malignaggi   Violin
Arnold Eidus   Violin
Sol Shapiro   Violin

Technical Credits

John Kander   Composer
Fred Ebb   Composer
Creed Taylor   Producer
Dizzy Gillespie   Composer
Johnny Mandel   Composer
Wes Montgomery   Composer
Robert Mellin   Composer
Rudy Van Gelder   Engineer
James Van Heusen   Composer
Guy Wood   Composer
Paul Francis Webster   Composer
Don Sebesky   Arranger,Composer,Recording Arranger
Johnny Burke   Composer
Charles Stewart   Photography
Donald John Sebesky   Composer