There is not a guitarist alive today that can touch this man. The greatest jazz guitarist ever playing playing lightning fast riffs with his THUMB! Amazing!
That blows me away the most. Just his thumb! Most guys flat picking can’t even touch him and he did it with one thumb! It humbles a guy to watch any of these guys play.
I agree to an extent, but in my view, Pat Martino tops the list along with Benson. Listen to Martino's version of Impressions on his Consciousness album. I wish no disrespect, but Martino blows him away on this cut
@@mindvoyager2476 Eric, and Heavenly Guitar... C'mon fellow listeners you are comparing apples to oranges, you must remember there would be no Martino or Benson if it were not for Wes. Like Miles said , there would be no me without Dizzy and Louis Armstrong. Like anything in this world, its the variety of colors, tastes, smells, sights and in this case sounds that allow us the enjoyment of comparisons. Why does it always have to be about whos best, kind of a primitive take on any art that diminishes the ability to find the real essence of greatness in whatever form of art is at hand.
Wes had a way of placing the notes in the rhythm that is unlike anyone else. His music has a certain grounded, deep in the rhythm kind of feel to it, and his tone has almost a vocal quality. Then there’s the phrasing where each idea leads beautifully into the next and the way he finishes phrases always sounds complete and unforced. It’s not just about playing fast, it’s how he placed the notes and shaped his phrases that made Wes a guitar icon.
I always wanted to write something like you did.. his sense of rhythm was so deeply ingrained like it was for given. Thats why I love his comping as much as his solos.. maybe even more ;) And his phrasing.. melodic invention.. he could tell stories with his guitar no one could. Charlie Christian is right up there as the only one on par with Wes.. sometimes higher ;) He was THE first, after all....
Arthur Harper- bass, Jimmy Lovelace - Drums, Harold Mabern- piano, and the blurring thumb himself on guitar. I bought my first Wes album that year, 1965 which was the "Poll Winners". Orrin Keepnews wrote on one of his albums the history of "the thumb". Turns out, as he explains, that Wes's wife kept complaining about how loud he was when he was practicing guitar to turn it down. He tried putting down the pic and found it softer and preferable by fault... what a beautiful addition to music.
I think I'd put Django Reinhardt in there with them (especially in the early innovator category of different takes on things) although that was quite a different thing and a bit of a side shoot of the Jazz thing into Europe with the Roma/Gypsy influence.
This is the tastiest jazz I've ever heard. Nothing comes close. Guitar+piano+drums combo= so delicious and smooth! And what I can say about Wes, he was a music legend and a great man gone too early.
My dad backed up Lil Richard and Guitar Slim when he was in school at Dillard University in NOLA. He turned me in to Wes when I was about 9. It was baaad then. At age 65, In still having eargasms.
Just played the right notes over the chords, and he could swing baby. Still my favorite jazz guitar player, and I like many different types of jazz guitar players. But Wes Montgomery stands at the top of the hill.
Mabern played with Miles Davis in 1963 for some weeks in LA.. Miles only had dismissive remarks about him later.. With Wes, we fitted just right in .. this here proves it, he was a steady workhorse with some fine moments
Wes *never* sounded bad. You can go back to the 50s live bootlegs, to the Lionel Hampton recordings from the 40s: doesn’t matter. Wes never sounded bad. And when you really *think* about that fact, when you consider the aesthetic demands improvisation puts on a musician, and you think about how many hours Wes put on the instrument, the fact that he never sounded bad isn’t merely remarkable. It’s frightening.
Wes is one of the greatest guitarists in the history of mankind, why would he sound bad? I sound bad. Wes fluctuates between out of this Earth and incredible. Excellent might have been his lowest point. :) We could say Wes never sounded good. Because he was always a lot better than good.
Not only that.. he´s always brought such a pleasure to listen to, comping, soloing... I can think only of Charlie Christian, he had some more edge, which Wes chased.. did he not ?
Dude! That reminds me of the killer liner notes on one of the Wes LP's where the the guy writes, "Just like the Woodchopper in, "Little Red Riding hood", Wes entered the scene with a big and powerful AXE..." Perfect.
@@jasonmudgarde286 It makes this piece what it is. Not easy at all - did you try to play it ? At some recordings, even Wes wasnt really comfortable with it
lol it's a modal piece dude. This is the opposite of bebop. I love Wes's bebop playing too. It's what makes this modal playing sound good. But long stretches sitting on single chords standing in for specific keys is the whole point of the modal style.
Wes is the man! So Cool, so right on! THUMB POWER. This track captures the true essence. Live in living black and white! A nice fade ending would take it out just right here.
I am proud of the great contributions African Americans have made- the Origins of Jazz, Blues, Rock, R&B are African American but all are welcomed to contribute. I happen to be white .
It's the sheer joy in Wes's face that makes it so captivating. He makes it look and sound so easy. George Benson and others took the guitar to anther level later on; but no one has ever "bossed" the guitar like Wes
This may be a way how to put it... not wrong, but not exactly right.. there are different ways and means of expressing yourself, piano is stiff as hell, while guitar is never in tune perfectly.. but you make the sound more directly, without the clutter of keys in the way - just fingers and strings.. I think there is lot less lost in translation - from the idea to the sound
I'm not a guitarist but wow he uses his thumb nail as a pick. And he even plays the octaves like that. Wow. Best jazz guitarist ever, IMO. Along with Joe Pass and Django Reinhardt.
OK children this is how we play Jazz Guitar ,,,, tune up your Gibson L5's and watch this video please,,,, we will woodshed in the basement after the presentation,,,,
The need to make a Movie about this Legendary Guitarist not just Jazz I say that bc I see Rolling stones mag. 100 greatest guitarists all rock & Blues Wes Montgomery should most definitely be in the top 10 if not 5 this Man is Soooo f--kin Special and it's time some magazine's, filming etc. Pay homage to one of the Greatest Guitar players I've ever heard!!!!!! The Great WES MONTGOMERY the Golden Thumb! How about it fellas?? I think EddiE Murphy could play the Role( the haircut & Mustache)
There is not a guitarist alive today that can touch this man. The greatest jazz guitarist ever playing playing lightning fast riffs with his THUMB! Amazing!
He reminds me of Django Reinhardt who played with only two fingers on his FRET hand yet played lighting fast riffs.
That blows me away the most. Just his thumb! Most guys flat picking can’t even touch him and he did it with one thumb! It humbles a guy to watch any of these guys play.
I agree to an extent, but in my view, Pat Martino tops the list along with Benson. Listen to Martino's version of Impressions on his Consciousness album. I wish no disrespect, but Martino blows him away on this cut
@@mindvoyager2476 Eric, and Heavenly Guitar... C'mon fellow listeners you are comparing apples to oranges, you must remember there would be no Martino or Benson if it were not for Wes. Like Miles said , there would be no me without Dizzy and Louis Armstrong. Like anything in this world, its the variety of colors, tastes, smells, sights and in this case sounds that allow us the enjoyment of comparisons. Why does it always have to be about whos best, kind of a primitive take on any art that diminishes the ability to find the real essence of greatness in whatever form of art is at hand.
@@CucamongaRob You show rare insight Robbie...I couldn't agree more....
God smiled every time Mr. Montgomery picked up his Guitar
Smoothest touch.....like butter
Wes had a way of placing the notes in the rhythm that is unlike anyone else. His music has a certain grounded, deep in the rhythm kind of feel to it, and his tone has almost a vocal quality. Then there’s the phrasing where each idea leads beautifully into the next and the way he finishes phrases always sounds complete and unforced. It’s not just about playing fast, it’s how he placed the notes and shaped his phrases that made Wes a guitar icon.
I always wanted to write something like you did.. his sense of rhythm was so deeply ingrained like it was for given. Thats why I love his comping as much as his solos.. maybe even more ;)
And his phrasing.. melodic invention.. he could tell stories with his guitar no one could.
Charlie Christian is right up there as the only one on par with Wes.. sometimes higher ;)
He was THE first, after all....
I’d also put Les Paul in there as another early pioneer with an advanced unorthodox style that spoke to the heart
Never mind the technique this just fills my heart with happiness…. ❤
🤝🏾
Arthur Harper- bass, Jimmy Lovelace - Drums, Harold Mabern- piano, and the blurring thumb himself on guitar. I bought my first Wes album that year, 1965 which was the "Poll Winners". Orrin Keepnews wrote on one of his albums the history of "the thumb". Turns out, as he explains, that Wes's wife kept complaining about how loud he was when he was practicing guitar to turn it down. He tried putting down the pic and found it softer and preferable by fault... what a beautiful addition to music.
This is still the best interpretation of Impressions out there. RIP Wes.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Jimi Hendricks called WES one of his influences.
In my humble opinion Charlie Christian and Wes Montgomery are the greatest Jazz guitarists of all time
I think I'd put Django Reinhardt in there with them (especially in the early innovator category of different takes on things) although that was quite a different thing and a bit of a side shoot of the Jazz thing into Europe with the Roma/Gypsy influence.
your opinion is not humble but the truth!
Jim Hall as well!
@@ermesrosina8484 Sorry... but he couldnt hold a candle to these two
@@tomasvanecek8626 why?
Always feel better after listening to Wes. His guitar-voice is direct and reassuring. Beautiful. Calming. Like an old friend.
could've listened wes playing for another 10 minutes..
Great phrasing, feel, touch. Could still be comtemporary today. What a player!
This is the tastiest jazz I've ever heard. Nothing comes close. Guitar+piano+drums combo= so delicious and smooth! And what I can say about Wes, he was a music legend and a great man gone too early.
My dad backed up Lil Richard and Guitar Slim when he was in school at Dillard University in NOLA. He turned me in to Wes when I was about 9. It was baaad then. At age 65, In still having eargasms.
this guy was spot on 😅 my god this is awesome
This whole band is SWINGIN'. 🔥🔥🔥
The grin on Mr. Montgomerys face at the beginning gave me the IMPRESSION that they was getting ready to knock this performance out of the park😉
My uncle Larry Ridley had his first gig with Wes at 16 there in Indianapolis
Harold Mabern on piano. Great partner for a jazz giant like Wes.
Just sublime
Just played the right notes over the chords, and he could swing baby. Still my favorite jazz guitar player, and I like many different types of jazz guitar players. But Wes Montgomery stands at the top of the hill.
Wes -- his improvisations were always fully INTEGRATED , nothing superfluous . Whether taking you farther out or farther in , the feeling came NEARER.
Wonderland!✨
One of the best Wes clips - never gets old! Thanks!
Who gives thumbs down for this!! Obviously not music lovers!!!
Or they're jealous that they can't use their own thumb as well as Wes did.
@@wrayven Good one 😁
Wes was and still is the finest. He could swing like a God!
How can anyone give Wes a thumbs down, 😂
Because that’s how he played!!! 🤣😂
Whatever that undefinable quality is, Wes had "It". His personal charisma and personality come out in his playing! Absolutely wonderful!
He had it.. and he had it ALL. The ultimate musician if you ask me...
The Display of art here is absolutely amazing⚡🙏⚡
Jaw dropping talent, wish he could have graced us a little longer.....
I forgot how good Harold Mabern’s solo is here too. 2:35 those final chords at the end get me every time! Pure joy
Mabern played with Miles Davis in 1963 for some weeks in LA.. Miles only had dismissive remarks about him later.. With Wes, we fitted just right in .. this here proves it, he was a steady workhorse with some fine moments
Thanks, a great chance to hear and see. That’s an American band with Harold Mabern on piano.
Wes *never* sounded bad. You can go back to the 50s live bootlegs, to the Lionel Hampton recordings from the 40s: doesn’t matter. Wes never sounded bad. And when you really *think* about that fact, when you consider the aesthetic demands improvisation puts on a musician, and you think about how many hours Wes put on the instrument, the fact that he never sounded bad isn’t merely remarkable. It’s frightening.
Wes is one of the greatest guitarists in the history of mankind, why would he sound bad? I sound bad. Wes fluctuates between out of this Earth and incredible. Excellent might have been his lowest point. :)
We could say Wes never sounded good. Because he was always a lot better than good.
Not only that.. he´s always brought such a pleasure to listen to, comping, soloing... I can think only of Charlie Christian, he had some more edge, which Wes chased.. did he not ?
What he meant judging by comparison of all self taught guitar players, at all his level of skill Wes had a finesse to his playing.
UNBELIEVABLE THE WAY HIS THUMB IS AS POWERFUL AS ANY GUITAR PICK.......#GIFTFROMGOD
Dude! That reminds me of the killer liner notes on one of the Wes LP's where the the guy writes, "Just like the Woodchopper in, "Little Red Riding hood", Wes entered the scene with a big and powerful AXE..." Perfect.
No key changes, just deep bebop, love it!
The key change is the point of this piece.
Obviously it moves a semitone, whether that's the point is a up to one's view.
@@jasonmudgarde286 It makes this piece what it is. Not easy at all - did you try to play it ?
At some recordings, even Wes wasnt really comfortable with it
lol it's a modal piece dude. This is the opposite of bebop. I love Wes's bebop playing too. It's what makes this modal playing sound good. But long stretches sitting on single chords standing in for specific keys is the whole point of the modal style.
Amazing I was born in a time where stuff like this is readily available for me to experience for free
Unf***ingbelievable. Brilliant.
Some musicians are musicians. Some musicians are saints. Say hello to Saint Wes.
This is pure joy. Best clip on YT. RIP Wes.
I am really impressed...!!!
I wish whoever posted this had names of the rest of the band listed, they deserve credit. Thanks for putting this up, it's beautiful.
at 1:13 every body agrees that this was insanely good, you can see it in their faces 😂
The flurry of melodic octaves , mid video..wowewow!
Holy shit this is a banger
The happy master of his art!
Wes is the man! So Cool, so right on! THUMB POWER. This track captures the true essence. Live in living black and white! A nice fade ending would take it out just right here.
Só relaxed...so much music emanating from him
The greatest jazz guitarist! Perfect. Excellent!
The bend is awesome
I am proud of the great contributions African Americans have made- the Origins of Jazz, Blues, Rock, R&B are African American but all are welcomed to contribute. I happen to be white .
Mozart, Bach, and Beetoven were great musicians who contributed to the whole world
Fantastic!!
Wes and Grant Green were the smoothest jazz players
Grant is nice to listen to.. I have all his albums. But Wes is just from another space
Amazing, makes me feel energized but peaceful, thank you!
It's the sheer joy in Wes's face that makes it so captivating. He makes it look and sound so easy. George Benson and others took the guitar to anther level later on; but no one has ever "bossed" the guitar like Wes
Superb👌🏾My favourite version of Impressions (on guitar)
C'est beau en plus d'être très bien joué !
Mélodiquement c'est grandiose .....ça coule de source avec le sourire . Inimaginable !
How can there be racist people! Another black genius of the United States ! Source of pride for anyone who has sensitivity !
I always feel musicians are a breed of there own and race shouldn't be a factor.
True. Once a bunch of musicians get together, the race thing is put aside. It has always been this way!
well said.
Trane hendrix miles wes...gods
There is only one race ....the human race...Don't forget that people.....Love from Ireland
Its like there's wes and then there's everyone else
Long live the music of west...his playing was also spiritual in the same mode as Coltrane!!!!
This is just amazingly good. I whish I had seen this wonderful guitar player live. Of course the band is also really, really good.
I loved it when he collaborated with Jimmy Smith, what a combination 😍
Jimmy S always sneered at his guitarists.. Wes said to him - Never try this stuff on me 😅 Yeah, it worked great..
Smith swallowed his pride.
Absolutely stunning
Utterly timeless.
Fastest Thumb in the West. Saw him in Sacramento with brothers Buddy and Monk NEVER FORGOT THAT!
You are one lucky dog!
Amazing!!!
Sweet
What a great recording quality and playing wise... both recording quality and playing
👍
Favorit!
Did this ever made it to an album? Love this version!
If you want to know how to play the piano on a guitar this is your guy. The god of jazz guitar.
This may be a way how to put it... not wrong, but not exactly right.. there are different ways and means of expressing yourself, piano is stiff as hell, while guitar is never in tune perfectly.. but you make the sound more directly, without the clutter of keys in the way - just fingers and strings.. I think there is lot less lost in translation
- from the idea to the sound
From 1:35 to 1:48 => Just Splendid..!!!
Drummer Lovelace excellent too!
Δημητρης Φιλος It was absolutely amazing! I’ve been playing for years but that floored me.
I always thought that jazz guitar was the true way this instrument shines. Wes Montgomery makes it so
Une légende!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just watched a Hendrix video. I had to come here to clean my ears. Thanks, Wes.
I wish someone had shown me this when I was in my "metal" phase.
You saw it now, that’s what matters. Enjoy
I'm not a guitarist but wow he uses his thumb nail as a pick. And he even plays the octaves like that. Wow. Best jazz guitarist ever, IMO. Along with Joe Pass and Django Reinhardt.
Pretty sure he uses the fleshy part of the thumb. That’s how he gets that sound
I'd add benson and martino as well
Hey, this guy is pretty good.
That thumb! Unbelievable
The thumb Goldfinger.
1:35 God mode activated
how even?
It’s from Rachmaninov I believe.
OK children this is how we play Jazz Guitar ,,,, tune up your Gibson L5's and watch this video please,,,, we will woodshed in the basement after the presentation,,,,
Simply Beauty....
Wow ❤️
1:13 the smile…
Love this guitar solo… Love supreme homage around 3 min?
Est ce qu'il pouvait pensé qu'en 2020 nous pourrions encore partager sa musique?
les genies sont eternels !!!!
Wonder if Coltrane ever heard this
The need to make a Movie about this Legendary Guitarist not just Jazz I say that bc I see Rolling stones mag. 100 greatest guitarists all rock & Blues Wes Montgomery should most definitely be in the top 10 if not 5 this Man is Soooo f--kin Special and it's time some magazine's, filming etc. Pay homage to one of the Greatest Guitar players I've ever heard!!!!!! The Great WES MONTGOMERY the Golden Thumb! How about it fellas?? I think EddiE Murphy could play the Role( the haircut & Mustache)
This Rolling Stone Mag has been a laughing stock for the last 60 years. There got it all wrong, all the time 🤣
@@tomasvanecek8626 yeah that's besides the point though it's mostly about Wes not the Magazine u get me?
@@scarzgalore9102 Well it was YOU who mentioned that crap of magazine.. got me ? So keep it all just Wes next time, ok 😝
@@tomasvanecek8626 female Right?
@@tomasvanecek8626 u have to be?..
Bad ass
This song it was based on So What by Other Genius: Miles Davis. Fourth Progresions
This is way to short! I wanted more!
San Wes, free me from all my inappropriate finger movements.
Cita la melodia de A Love Supreme o flasho? Que animal
God..
Cool!😀🎸
I like
0:27
0:30
0:32
Jazz was metal before metal was metal.
this is so true oh my god hahah
Capolavoro
El creador del smoot jazz
👏🏿👏🏿
Thanks Bobby. Still remember seeing you open for Steely Dan in Birmingham. You killed it that night.
@@RetroManVideos Thanks, man 👊🏿