In case you hadn’t noticed, it is a golden age for being a jazz fan, as scores of either undiscovered gems, or reissuing of classic albums is becoming a weekly event.
Craft Recordings has been digging up some fantastic material lately, in both cd and vinyl versions of Desert Island Discs. The latest is a 3-lp, 2 cd collection of Wes Montgomery caught in concert in Berkeley , CA back in 1962 with arguably his best rhythm section of Wynton Kelly/p, Paul Chambers/b and Jimmy Cobb. This band also has been captured at the Half Note for a 1965 equally classic album, but this one is a gem in that it also includes tenor saxist Johnny Griffin, who is the perfect match for Montgomery, as his reputation as “the fastest gun in the west” is proven here on many tunes.
Montgomery simmers with his rhythm section as he digs in with Griffin on “Full House” and a burning “Blue ‘N’ Boogie”. Cobb’s patented ride cymbal coaxes things along perfectly, and his Latin pulse simmers under Montgomery on the sensuous “Cariba”. Griffin and Montgomery lock in step on the gallop of “S.O.S”, with the leader featured on a drop dead gorgeous “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” and dreamy “Born To Be Blue”. Some of the alternate takes have never been released before, and any solo by either Montgomery, Griffin or Kelly is worth cherishing and ruminating on. After Montgomery, why do we listen to anyone else?