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Wes Montgomery: Full House
ByMontgomery had already established himself on the jazz map in 1960, with The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery (Riverside). He would proceed to record five more albums as a leader before waxing his fist live recording at Berkeley's Tsubo Jazz Club. Not unlike organist Jimmy Smith, when Montgomery began recording, he did so a fully-formed artist, appearing as if from nowhere. Montgomery was an autodidact who would not read music. His ear was note perfect and his illiteracy with scores was in no way an impediment to his playing. He proved that he could play anything with anybody.
That fact is made abundantly clear on Full House where Montgomery's repertoire included ballads ("Come Rain or Come Shine," "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face), bebop ("Blue 'N Boogie"), had bop ("Full House"), and Latin jazz ("Cariba"). The title song would go on to become a centerpiece to Montgomery's live performances. Montgomery seems never to have played anything lacking his inate mirth and happiness. In that he had an amiable Midas Touch that made his performances uplifting and immediately identifiable. Montgomery had a tangible simpatico with Kelly, both being superb blues and ballads players. When unison playing, the two are of one mind, that of swing and propulsion. Griffin's presence adds a woody organicness that is both fecund and free. Occurring about a third of the way through Montgomery's 10-year recording career, Full House was a glimpse of what was to come and be lost all too soon.
Track Listing
(2007 Reissue): Full House; I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face; Blue ‘N Boogie; Cariba (Take 2); Come Rain of Come Shine (Take 2); S.O.S (Take 3); Cariba; Come Rain or Come Shine; SOS; Born to be Blue; Born to be Blue (Alternate Take).
Personnel
Wes Montgomery
guitarWes Montgomery: guitar; Wynton Kelly: piano; Paul Chambers: bass; Jimmy Cobb: drums; Johnny Griffin: tenor saxophone.
Album information
Title: Full House | Year Released: 1962 | Record Label: Riverside