Wes Montgomery - 1984 Verve "The Silver Collection"

One of the earliest Wes Montgomery collections to appear on CD (1984), this minimally (and at one point, misleadingly) annotated item concentrates mostly upon the guitarist's Verve small-group performances. Verve relies heavily upon the two albums Wes made with Wynton Kelly (Smokin' at the Half Note and Willow Weep for Me), adding a few tracks from the two he made with Jimmy Smith (Dynamic Duo and Further Adventures) and closing with a sole reminder of Wes' orchestral-backed work, Bumpin's glorious "Here's That Rainy Day." As such, we hear Montgomery stretching out with an eloquence and depth of tone that had actually deepened since his more critically celebrated Riverside period. Be warned: though the jewel box and disc claim that "Portrait of Jennie" is Track 9, the selection is actually "13 (Death March)" from the Dynamic Duo album -- a superior choice that gives you a nice Oliver Nelson big-band chart and more playing time as a bonus. Also, on "Misty," the Claus Ogerman arrangement for winds and brass that was overdubbed after Wes' death and stripped from the track later has been restored here.

If you are a guitarist or just a jazz lover, this is a must-have. This particular Wes recording is only small ensembles and truly showcases his virtuoso talent. If only he played rock and roll, he would have achieved a Hendrix status (no surprise that Jimi and Stevie Ray were Wes fans). I don't play jazz, but I love this album.

Track listing:

01. If You Could See Me Now (8:24)
02. Impressions (5:02)
03. Four on Six (6:45)
04. Unit 7 (6:46)
05. Mellow Mood (8:40)
06. James and Wes (8:09)
07. What's New (6:18)
08. Misty (6:45)
09. Portrait of Jenny (5:22)
10. Here's That Rainy Day (4:57)

Personnel:

Guitar – Wes Montgomery
Bass – Bob Cranshaw (tracks: 10), Paul Chambers (3) (tracks: 1 to 4, 7 to 9)
Drums – Grady Tate (tracks: 5, 6, 10), Helcio Milito* (tracks: 10), Jimmy Cobb (tracks: 1 to 4, 7 to 9)
Organ – Jimmy Smith (tracks: 5, 6)
Piano – Roger Kellaway (tracks: 10), Wynton Kelly (tracks: 1 to 4, 7 to 9)
Harp – Margaret Ross