Bumpin’ is an album by American jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery that was released in 1965. It reached number 116 on the Billboard 200 chart. It was Montgomery’s first album to reach the charts.
Taking the listener on a smoother, rather than bumpier, ride down the moonlight highway of jazz is Wes Montgomery, a chief architect of the world’s guitar virtuoso scene. Not only is his brilliant command of the six-string present here, so is the vivid color tones of notes and blue notes played between. Backed up by a hauntingly beautiful and mesmerizing orchestra conducted and arranged by Don Sebesky, the music almost lifts the listener off his feet into a dreamy, water-like landscape. The atmosphere is serene and enchanting, such as a romantic evening for two under starlight, and certainly a romantic eve merits the accompaniment of this record. The sounds are soft, smooth, and silky, and Montgomery addresses full leadership of his graceful melodic style, fronting close to 20 members of a orchestra perhaps best described resonant and sweeping. So too are the sweeping note flows of Montgomery’s guitar, and his surprising fluidness towards the art of comping, a necessary trait of the jazz guitar virtuoso. Even the unforgettable Jim Hall can be tickled and intrigued through a listen of these influential records, as for all amateur and professional guitar musicians. “A Quiet Thing” is perhaps the most somber, peaceful, and smooth piece on the record, demonstrating Montgomery’s love of quiet, and how much the idea of not playing at all brings music to the listeners.
The charming sounds of orchestral violas, violins, cellos, and harp are sent ablaze to create a pleasant atmosphere, either for a quick morning get up, get ready for work, or evening dining setting. “Here’s That Rainy Day” is an up-tempo bossa nova tune that resonates with Montgomery’s enticing chordal changes and blissful phrasing, not to mention the blend of harp and strings lays the groundwork for a perfect rainy day inside, with drops pattering at the windows and fires aglow. The recording engineer did a wonderful job with this album. The sound quality is clear and lush, and, overall, this collection of mid-’60s cool jazz is a delight to listen too, once and again. (by Shawn M. Haney)
Personnel:
Candido Camero (percission)
Bob Cranshaw (bass)
Roger Kellaway (piano)
Helcio Milito (drums)
Wes Montgomery (guitar)
Margaret Ross (harp)
Grady Tate (drums)
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string section:
Harold Coletta (viola)
Arnold Eidus (violin)
Lewis Eley (violin)
Paul Gershman (violin)
Louis Haber (violin)
Julius Held (violin)
Harry Lookofsky (violin)
Joseph Malignaggi (violin)
Charles McCracken (cello)
Gene Orloff (violin)
George Ricci (violin, cello)
David Schwartz (viola)
Sol Shapiro (violin)
Tracklist:
01. Bumpin’ (Montgomery) 6.51
02. Tear It Down (Montgomery) 3.15
03. A Quiet Thing (Ebb/Kander) 3.31
04. Con Alma (Gillespie) 3.24
05. The Shadow Of Your Smile (Mandel/Webster) 2.19
06. Mi Cosa (Montgomery) 3.22
07. Here’s That Rainy Day (Burke/Van Heusen) 5.00
08. Musty (Sebesky) 4.16
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09. Just Walkin’ (uncredited) 2.59
10. My One and Only Love (Mellin/Wood) 4.09
1. Just Walkin’ (uncredited – alternate take) 3.37
Guitar on the Go is the eleventh album by American jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery, released in 1963. It included tracks recorded in October and November 1963 as well as two from early 1959 sessions. It was Montgomery’s last principal release for Riverside and he subsequently moved to the Verve label.[1]Guitar on the Go is the eleventh album by American jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery, released in 1963. It included tracks recorded in October and November 1963 as well as two from early 1959 sessions. It was Montgomery’s last principal release for Riverside and he subsequently moved to the Verve label. (by wikipedia)
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