Like Frank Sinatra was to vocals, Wes Montgomery was to guitar. He changed the way it was played (and therefore heard) so much that everyone who picked up the six strings after that had to either try to sound like Montgomery or try NOT to sound like him, and that really didn’t go very well. You had to deal with him, he was that influential.
These eight albums catch him at the height of his popularity and power. Having said that, the fact that a couple of his absolute essentials from this period are missing makes one scratch his head, but anything Wes plucked is worthwhile. A collection of his early work with Johnny Griffin/ts and Milt Jackson/vibes. Montgomery is surrounded in strings in what was then called “Fusion” on one album, as well as another one with an orchestra conducted by the tasty Don Sebesky, during the period in which Montgomery was being groomed for more smooth tones.
His early days with keyboardist Mel Rhyne swing as hard as you’ll ever want, with some hip strokes on “Freddie Freeloader” and “Blues Riff”. Montgomery shows what he could do in a small jazz combo with Jimmy Cobb on drums why Rhyne on a snazzy “Besame Mucho” and down and dirty “Fried Pies”. Wes’ taking of “West Coast Blues” set the standard for jazz gitar, and tasty things like “The Shadow of Your Smile” and “Here’s That Rainy Day” set the stage for relaxed background music. State of the art.