Best Wes Montgomery Album?

**gravitas** · 03-13-2009, 04:32 PM

I'm out to buy some new albums and I want to get a Wes Montgomery one... Which Wes disc is your guys' favourite?

**Jake Hanlon** · 03-13-2009, 04:33 PM

Get either "Smokin' at the Half Note" or "Full House"

Wes sounded best Live and live with Wynton kelly's rhythm section. Which is featured on both these albums. Smokin' is probably considered the quintessential Wes album.

**gravitas** · 03-13-2009, 04:39 PM

Yes, Smokin' was one of the ones I was considering. Thanks for the positive reinforcement.

**abracadabra** · 03-18-2009, 09:37 AM

IMHO 'The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery'

**pierre richard** · 03-18-2009, 01:34 PM

all of the "Riverside" label is better....less commercial sounding....

but anything wes played was never commercial....

time on the instrument..pierre

**Banksia** · 03-18-2009, 07:29 PM

Jimmy Smith and Wes - The Dynamic Duo. More funk, less sacharrine

**m78w** · 03-18-2009, 11:04 PM

I always loved his early album called "Movin' Along". Great playing on there, and there's also some killer flute!

MW

**JoshuaR** · 03-23-2009, 07:14 AM

I would have to say the incredible jazz guitar, it really is his best in my opinion.

**gravitas** · 03-23-2009, 07:49 AM

Well, Iwent out and got a few: Smokin' at the Half Note, The Incredible Guitar, and SO Much Guitar. They're all quite good. I don't think I could pick a "best Wes" of the three of them

**many-hats** · 03-25-2009, 03:18 AM

Incredible Jazz Guitar is my fav.

**rfsprat** · 03-27-2009, 11:17 PM

I've always liked Full House

**randalljazz** · 04-15-2009, 04:42 AM

often overlooked:

(haven't been here long--i hope graphics are not considered obnoxious.

)

**franco6719** · 04-15-2009, 04:59 AM

Don't forget "A Dynamic New Sound" with that legendary interpretation of "Round Midnight" and a couple of other classics.

One of those brothers, Monk I think, was the first electric bass player recorded on an LP.

**gazda** · 04-28-2009, 06:56 AM

The recently compiled DVD with Wes's European TV appearances is a real pleasure to listen and watch over and over again. (It is on Youtube too, but the sound and picture quality of the DVD are worth the purchase.)

**Banksia** · 04-28-2009, 07:29 AM

I can tell you which album is NOT the Best Wes. I recently got the album "Complete Live at Jordies" - I think recorded in the 60s but only released about 2003. Not only is this album NOT great Wes, it's barely passable as jazz. I have about 8 Wes albums and this is definitely the worst!

PS: One I like is "A Dynamic New Sound" but I believe this is also listed as "The Wes Montgomery Trio" on some music sites, so if you're having trouble finding it try the alternative title. (One's probably a reissue with bonus tracks)

**The Korux** · 04-28-2009, 08:15 AM

I really like 'The incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery' and
Portrait of Wes (this one acutally because it was my first jazz album).
Full House is also very good.

all the best, Tobias

**fast1** · 04-28-2009, 08:55 AM

smokin at the half note is my pick

Jazzarian · 06-05-2009, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by gravitas

I'm out to buy some new albums and I want to get a Wes Montgomery one... Which Wes disc is your guys' favourite?

Buy a few compilation CDs, there's many to choose from.

My 3 favorite Wes songs are: Tear it Down, Movin' Wes Part II and Fullhouse. Impressions aint bad either.

BTW: I picked up a Wes DVD from 1965, with him live in Europe. Great stuff. Nice to see him really playing with the thumb, no parlor trick there.

**gravitas** · 06-05-2009, 03:52 PM

Cool, what was the '65 disc called? I might order that one

Jazzarian · 06-05-2009, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by gravitas

Cool, what was the '65 disc called? I might order that one

It's called "Live in '65". It features Wes with 3 different bands. I especially like the middle band with Harold Mabern on piano. They're all really good though.

**gravitas** · 06-05-2009, 06:36 PM

Sweet deal... Thanks for the heads up. I'll definitely give it a spin

**princeplanet** · 07-05-2010, 02:21 AM

No love for Boss Guitar?

**franco6719** · 07-05-2010, 05:09 AM

The question should probably be put: has anyone heard any bad or mediocre Wes? I can't listen to some of the later "violin" stuff, but even though you won't find anything spectacular, I haven't really heard anything that Wes plays that doesn't have that amazing sound and the powerful melodic sense.

**kawa** · 07-05-2010, 05:49 AM

I like Bumpin and Tequila (before his big hits)

Wes Montgomery : Discography : Tequila
Wes Montgomery : Home

**Norman931** · 07-05-2010, 01:02 PM

I confess I enjoy the pop stuff- Road Song, A Day in the Life, Down Here on the Ground. The arrangements are a bit too sweet, but it's still good. I also like Grant Green's edgier takes on similar material.