The Incredible Jazz Guitar

THE JEAN-PIERRE LELOIR COLLECTION

180 pure virgin vinyl LPs in Gatefold packaging

Part of The Penguin Guide to Jazz "Core Collection"

The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery was the fourth album by the guitarist. Most of its tracks are considered to be the best examples of Wes’ two distinguishing techniques –”thumb picking” and the use of octaves. It features Montgomery in a quartet format with the wonderful rhythm section of Tommy Flanagan, Percy Heath and Albert “Tootie” Heath. The album is considered by many to be the pinnacle of Wes’ recorded studio work.

The Penguin Guide to Jazz selected this album as part of its suggested “Core Collection”, calling it “probably the best Montgomery record currently available”. It received five stars in Down Beat, with Ira Gitler writing that, “If anyone took time to examine the ballots of the 1960 critics’ poll closely, they would have seen that I was one of two who voted for Wes Montgomery as No.1 on the guitar in the established category.

This album had a lot to do with my vote. In the many times I have listened to this album, I have not become tired of it. I don’t think I will. To produce easy-listening music with meaning is a high accomplishment. Strongly recommended. Montgomery incredible? I believe him!”

PERSONNEL:

WES MONTGOMERY, guitar
TOMMY FLANAGAN, piano
PERCY HEATH, bass
ALBERT “TOOTIE” HEATH, drums

Reeves Sound Studios, New York, January 26 (tracks A1, A2, A4 & B1)
& January 28 (tracks A3 & B2-B4), 1960.

SIDE A:

01 AIREGIN
02 D-NATURAL BLUES
03 POLKA DOTS AND MOONBEAMS
04 FOUR ON SIX

SIDE B:

01 WEST COAST BLUES
02 IN YOUR OWN SWEET WAY
03 MISTER WALKER
04 GONE WITH THE WIND