I don’t know where executive producer George Klabin finds these hidden treasures, but whatever his contacts are, all I can say is “keep him on retainer!” Stuff by Coltrane, Lloyd, Hubbard, Evans and Montgomery have been just some of the joyful caches brought by this label. This latest 2 cd find, which includes arguably the earliest sounds from the strings of Wes Montgomery, is a joy to behold.
The music is not in chronological order; it closes with three 1949 tracks from Fresno-based Spire Records, with Montgomery sizziling on a charging “King Trotter,” backing up Sonny Parker on a juke jolting “Carlena’s Blues” and snapping the strings on “Smooth Evening.” The other studio find is a diamond in the rough discovery of a 1955 session produced by Quincy Jones in the famed Columbia Studios with the Montgomery Brothers of Wes, Buddy and Monk along with “Pookie” Johnson’s lithe tenor and Sonny Johnson’s drums on a simmering “Blues” and hard driving “Love For Sale” among others.
Everything else is concert material captured at local Indianapolis clubs, with the 1956 team of Montgomery with his brothers and the two Johnsons sounding like a band that you wished you could have seen in their home town. The rhythmic drive on “Brazil” and “Caravan” has the music ricocheting off the walls with joy, while Johnson’s tenor is warm and hip on “What Is There To Say” and “My Heart Stood Still.” The band goes through a couple chnges by the 1958 gigs in Indianapolis, with Montgomery with brother Monk/b, Richie Crabtree/p and Pau lParker stretching out on “Robbins’ Nest” and a fervent “A Night In Tonusia” and Melvin Rhyne/p, Flip Stewart/b and Paul Parker/dr sitting in on a sly and suave “Soft Winds.”
As for Montgomery himself, his basic sound and style is already set in place; in fact if anything his sound is his most assertive as he’s with a team he’s accustomed to. His sonic joyis infectious, and his sense of rhythm and swing makes one beg for transcriptions of these solos. This is a treat! Only one word can be given at this point; MORE!
Resonance Records