Guitarist Tom Bruner subtitles this 2 disc set “Plays the Ballads of Wes Montgomery” as he gives tribute to the classic 60s sessions the legendary guitarist did towards the latter part of his career. This period had Montgomery surrounded by tasty strings and horns with subtle jazz rhythms support, along with arrangements by the lies of Claus Ogerman, Don Sebesky and Johnny Mandel. Bruner focuses on this era, with some lovely solos surrounded by graceful strings that sometimes build up to Bruner’s solo or use the support as a framework.
At times the music gets exotic as Middle Eastern harmonies create mystique on “Delilah” but for the most part Bruner keeps it simple, letting the guitar speak for itself, with rich chords and Wes-like strums on “Polkadots and Moonbeams” and a richly textured “Old Folks.” He’s haunting on “Angel Eyes” and wonderfully desultory on “Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out to Dry” while giving a patient read to “Born to Be Blue.” Albums like this can make you ask “Why not just get the original versions?” but Bruner makes a case for this modernized anthology.