WES MONTGOMERY — Greatest Hits (review)

WES MONTGOMERY — Greatest Hits album cover Boxset / Compilation · 1970 · Pop/Art Song/Folk Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
js
Despite having a fairly short career, Wes Montgomery was one of the most talented and influential jazz guitarists ever. After a promising start as a soulful and bluesy hard boppist, Wes began making pop oriented albums in the early 60s and then suddenly died of a heart attack in the late 60s before he had a chance to get back to recording jazz albums again. “Greatest Hits” on the A&M label is a collection of the pop tunes Wes recorded for that label from the mid to late 60s. The tunes on here are a mixed bag, some are fairly cheezy while others give Wes a chance to show what he is capable of. To Montgomery’s credit, the cheeziest moments never come from him, but from the heavy handed arranger(s) who gets carried away with the strings and other window dressings (no credits are given, but that is probably the talented but sometimes excessive Don Sebesky handling the orchestra). On the other hand, Wes’s playing maintains its integrity and his blues roots never yield to the candy coated orchestrations.

The best tune on here is “Scarborough Fair”, which has little orchestra clutter, therefore allowing Wes to state the melody in free abstract form and then head straight for a cool flavored modal jam, sort of Coltrane-lite if you will. “I Say a Little Prayer” has sophisticated chord changes and one of Wes’ most energetic solos on the album and “Road Song” is a classic soul jazz groove with some good horn kicks. The rest of the cuts on here vary from okay to a couple that are not that great. Still, on every tune, Wes never drops the ball and remains creative and very much himself.

Even amongst Wes Montgomery’s pop tunes, this may not be the best collection, buts its not the worst either, sort of in-between. If you like Montgomery’s pop covers, or 60s pop jazz in general, then this may make a worthwhile purchase. Its not too hard to find it at a very reasonable price too.
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