Complete Riverside Recordings

Description by OLDIES.com:

Wes Montgomery's Riverside career spanned almost exactly four years - the last recordings here were made in November 1963, and like the first were with an organ trio - an during that time he completely and permanently altered most musicians' approach to the guitar. These first years of active recording, a period devoted almost entirely to small-group sessions in which he was frequently joined by some of the major players of the era, are the basis of his legendary jazz status.

Of the 158 performances included here, no less than 49 are alternates or were otherwise originally unissued. Although many of these efforts have been released over the years, 16 are now being made available for the first time.

Other highlights of the set include a virtually complete reproduction of his only "live" Riverside club date, featuring Johnny Griffin and Wynton Kelly; a classic encounter with Cannonball and Ray Brown; and co-leader collaborations with Milt Jackson and George Shearing.

The 32-page booklet also contains an essay by Jim Ferguson, featuring interviews with Kenny Burrell, Jim Hall, Tommy Flanagan, Kevin Eubanks, and many others; and session notes by Orrin Keepnews, the original producer of Wes's 25 Riverside sessions.

Product Description:

Personnel includes: Wes Montgomery (guitar, electric bass); Cannonball Adderley (alto saxophone); Harold Land, Johnny Griffin (tenor saxophone); Nat Adderley (cornet); Sam Jones (cello, bass); Victor Feldman, Buddy Montgomery (vibraphone, piano); Milt Jackson (vibraphone); Hank Jones, Dick Hyman (piano, celeste); Tommy Flanagan, Bobby Timmons, Barry Harris, George Shearing, Wynton Kelly (piano); Melvin Rhyne (organ); Kenny Burrell (guitar); Percy Heath, Ray Brown, Ron Carter, Monk Montgomery, Paul Chambers, Milt Hinton (bass); Albert "Tootie" Heath, Louis Hayes, Lex Humphries, Philly Joe Jones, Jimmy Cobb, Osie Johnson (drums); Ray Barretto, Armando Peraza (congas).

Producers: Orrin Keepnews, Cannonball Adderley.

Compilation producer: Orrin Keepnews.

Engineers: Jack Higgins, Wally Heider, Ray Fowler.

Recorded between 1959 and 1963. Includes liner notes by Jim Ferguson, Nat Adderley, Kenny Burrell, Ron Carter, Kevin Eubanks, Tommy Flanagan, Jim Hall, Orrin Keepnews, Steve Khan, Buddy Montgomery, and John Scofield.

Digitally remastered by Joe Tarantino (1992, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California).