Genre > Jazz

Newly Discovered Live & Studio Recordings From 1949–1958

In the Beginning features recordings of Wes Montgomery spanning the years from 1949 to 1958, the formative years when the six-string virtuoso was honing his craft in Southern Indiana. Since Wes Montgomery's passing in 1968, only two other albums of predominantly unreleased material have been released Willow Weep For Me (Verve 1968) and Echoes of Indiana Avenue (Resonance 2012). Resonance Records is pleased to introduce the third such archival offering with In the Beginning. The project began life in the wake of Echoes of Indiana Avenue. Even before that release, Buddy Montgomery's widow Ann approached Feldman and Resonance founder George Klabin with the Turf Club, Missile Lounge, and jam session recordings, looking for a respectful home for this never-released music. Philip Kahl, a 22 year old Butler College student had access to the brothers and recorded them at the before mentioned places with a portable tape recorder. 'In the Beginning started out early as a project exclusively focusing on the recordings received from Ann & Buddy Montgomery and evolved into an early years collection. There hasn't been a release like this in Wes's discography until now', says producer Zev Feldman. The 26-track collection will be available as 2-CD and 3-LP sets. These newly discovered live & studio recordings from 1949-1958, include a complete never-before-released 1955 Epic Records session produced by Quincy Jones, licensed from Sony Music Entertainment, newly discovered 78 RPM sides with Wes as a sideman recorded for Spire Records (1949), a live recording from the home of Ervena Montgomery, Indianapolis (1956), live recordings from the Turf Club (1956), the Missile Lounge (1958) in Indianapolis, and the C&C Music Lounge in Chicago (1957).

This is presented on 180-gram vinyl mastered by engineering legend, Bernie Grundman, & pressed on 12inch LPs at 33 1/3 RPM by Record Technology Incorporated (R.T.I.) in a hand-numbered slipcase with an 8-panel booklet, and collector postcards of unpublished photos. In the Beginning features extensive liner notes, and meticulously designed artwork that have become the label's trademarks. The release is attractively designed by Burton Yount. This release is made possible with the help of Robert Montgomery, Wes's youngest son, and the head of the Wes Montgomery Estate who signed on as associate producer for the project. Feldman says, 'This is another chapter of previously undiscovered Wes, one which aficionados couldn't have even hoped existed a few short years ago. Resonance is proud to present another chapter in the legacy of Wes Montgomery.'

- Alex Henderson (All Music Guide)

Limited 180gm audiophile vinyl repressing of this Jazz classic. So Much Guitar marked Wes' first recording with pianist Hank Jones. So Much Guitar was the only session on which both musicians could really interact. It was also Wes' first recording session with Ron Carter, with whom he would collaborate on three more albums. Wax Time.

Milt Jackson was 38 when, in December 1961, he co-led this superb hard-bop date with the distinctive guitarist Wes Montgomery. A jazzman who was as opinionated as he was gifted, Jackson wouldn't hesitate to tell you exactly what he thought of a musician -- so when he praised Montgomery, you knew his praise was genuine. Not surprisingly, the boppers prove to be quite compatible on Bags Meets Wes, which finds them co-leading an all star-quintet that also includes pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Philly Joe Jones (who shouldn't be confused with swing drummer Jo Jones). Although Jackson and Montgomery prove what lyrical ballad players they could be on the standard "Stairway to the Stars," ballads aren't a high priority on this album. Instead, the improvisers put more of their energy into the blues -- and the 12-bar format serves them well on "Sam Sack," "Blue Roz," and "S.K.J." Equally strong are hard-swinging versions of Montgomery's "Jingles" and Benny Golson's "Stablemates."
-All Music Guide