...this blog captures in order the albums as I pull these gems off the shelf and groove to them .....

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Wes Montgomery - Willow Weep For Me (1965)

Wes Montgomery - Willow Weep For Me (1965)
 
  "Willow Weep For Me" has been an album full of controversy and considered by jazz purists to be too contrived.   So here is the quick synopsis on this album apparently after Wes' death demand for his music increased.  Verve found some old tapes of Wes playing live at the legendary Half Note and decided to make them public.   
   
     Before "Willow Weep For Me" was released producer Esmond Edwards decided to superimpose and add some brass and woodwind arrangements to these songs.    The live bits were all recorded in 1965 as were the seperate woodwind and brass arrangements all added together by Edwards. 
   For me albeit a reworked album sounds pretty fine to me and I like the added bits it gives the quartet a bit more essence really and in sharp contrast to jazz fans I dig this album.   
   Montgomery plays with such blues and sorrow and feeling....musically he is joined by pals Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb.   
   This is a live recording and the sounds is not the best to be honest...a bit flat and dull but musically this is a beautiful album full of deep emotion.
  Regardless of most jazz critics I love this album just as it is....flaws and all.......

..Oh You Crazy Moon is just so perfect !

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