Milestone
1959
Pretty Blue
About This Album
Wes Montgomery accomplished something few jazz artists could, as he used the disparate elements of the orchestral string ensemble and small organ combo within a similar balladic approach. While one could contend these concepts may not be as effective as a more conventional configuartion, Montgomery made them work to a certain extent. What he could not do was infuse an energy that transcends the ballad approach, making this style of jazz priceless. There's a certain lugubrious restraint that permeates this single CD, originally a two-fer on vinyl, that showcases the guitarists first recordings with strings, and selections plucked from his most ramped down organ combo featuring Melvin Rhyne. The 12 selections with a 12-piece string ensemble (conducted and arranged by Jimmy Jones) plus woodwinds and his rhythm section cover standards, a lone original, a Miles Davis and a Duke Ellington composition reissued from the 1963 Riverside LP "Fusion!" There's no forward motion or groove whatsoever, it's all ballads and an emphasis on diffidence, with the strings submerging Montgomery's guitar for the most part. The wintry sparkle of the title cut and intro of "Prelude To A Kiss" brightens the otherwise sleepy mood and does indeed complement Wes.
Track List (try tracks 5,10,11,14 and 17)

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