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The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery · This 1960 album brought the guitarist Wes Montgomery to the wider public. He recorded it at Reeves Sound Studios in New York, on 26 and 28 January, with producer Orrin Keepnews. Pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Albert Heath accompanied him.

The record shows two hallmarks of his playing: playing with the thumb instead of with a plectrum, and playing in octaves. He combines original tunes such as D-Natural Blues, Four on Six and West Coast Blues with jazz standards such as Sonny Rollins's Airegin and Polka Dots and Moonbeams. Many fans and critics see this as the peak of his studio work. According to AllMusic, the record established him as the most impressive modern guitarist of his time. In 2017 the Library of Congress added the album to the National Recording Registry.

Listening

Listening tip. On Four On Six (Remastered 2025), listen to the guitar lines played in octaves. Notice the warm sound of the thumb.

Track list

  1. 1Airegin (Remastered 2025)4:30Apple Music ↗
  2. 2D-Natural Blues (Remastered 2025)5:26Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Polka Dots And Moonbeams (Remastered 2025)4:46Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Four On Six (Remastered 2025)6:19Apple Music ↗
  5. 5West Coast Blues (Remastered 2025)7:28Apple Music ↗
  6. 6In Your Own Sweet Way (Remastered 2025)4:56Apple Music ↗
  7. 7Mister Walker (Remastered 2025)4:35Apple Music ↗
  8. 8Gone With The Wind (Remastered 2025)6:25Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs