No pick for Wes-the man must have had a callous like a freakin' diamond!

My favorite song by Wes happens to be on youtube as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwPqrx1AvRI (new window)

Because People in power are Stupid: My favorite song by Wes happens to be on youtube as well.

Sweet...I love Wes, such a talent.

I'm on a roll-3 jazz links in 3 days, plus Patsy Cline as a bonus.

And a little different style of jazz guitar, a la Django and the Hot Club:
Link (new window)

That's some tasty guitar playing. Always been a big fan of Wes. He got a little Muzaky when he started making records for CTI, but even then... still excellent guitar playing. The snappy tone he managed to get at times is remarkable, considering he's not using a pick.

By the way - if you like great jazz guitar, check out Lenny Breau's "5 'O Clock Bells" album. It's incredible what that guy could do with a guitar.

Kenny Burrell is mighty good, too...

robmilmel: No pick for Wes-the man must have had a callous like a freakin' diamond!

GibbyTheMole: That's some tasty guitar playing. Always been a big fan of Wes. He got a little Muzaky when he started making records for CTI, but even then... still excellent guitar playing. The snappy tone he managed to get at times is remarkable, considering he's not using a pick.

You both kinda hit on an interesting thing regarding his playing. Last year GP did a "10 Things you Gotta Do to Play Like Wes Montgomery" and a big part of what made his sound was his three and four note chord voicings mixed with single note runs, and... yep, that big freakin' callous on his thumb.

Everywhere you look...

You got it, dude.

Finally, a jazz guitarist.

Good find, greenlight.

Wes Montgomery: All Thumb!

Big fan of 'While We're Young'. Also liked his cover of 'One For My Baby'.

Really miss studying his stuff in music school.

CarnySaur: Everywhere you look...

I came here to say the same. while it's sad that only one other person has thought of this so far, it's good to know that appreciation for real music outlasts appreciation for californian family friendly sitcoms

As a tone junkie, I think the best natural hollow-body jazz guitar players out there (in regards to tone) are Wes, Jim Hall and Peter Bernstein.

mitchcumpstein: As a tone junkie, I think the best natural hollow-body jazz guitar players out there (in regards to tone) are Wes, Jim Hall and Peter Bernstein.

No love for Joe Pass?

bush:
You both kinda hit on an interesting thing regarding his playing. Last year GP did a "10 Things you Gotta Do to Play Like Wes Montgomery" and a big part of what made his sound was his three and four note chord voicings mixed with single note runs, and... yep, that big freakin' callous on his thumb.

It was more than a callous-- he had a corn on the tip of his thumb, in addition to being double-jointed. Thus he could use the tip of the corn for a hard attack (that really punchy sound), the fleshy part of the thumb for the smooth hits, and being double jointed allowed him to work it like a pick.

Which is why no one will ever ever sound like him!

Here's another great Wes video, from '65, backed by a young Han Bennik and featuring some great swing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbXrdm63OAA

bush: mitchcumpstein: As a tone junkie, I think the best natural hollow-body jazz guitar players out there (in regards to tone) are Wes, Jim Hall and Peter Bernstein.

No love for Joe Pass?

I think he's kind of second tier, along with Kessel and Herb Ellis...

edronny: You got it, dude.

I farking hate you forever.

During high school in Toledo (early 2000) I would go to a great jazz club (Rusty's) and listen to Leon Cook and his band COOKIN' jam. He had been a student of Wes' in the 50's or 60's and played the same style. It was a great place to get my jazz education. Too bad the club is closed and Leon in dead...

Movin' Wes!

mitchcumpstein: bush: mitchcumpstein: As a tone junkie, I think the best natural hollow-body jazz guitar players out there (in regards to tone) are Wes, Jim Hall and Peter Bernstein.

No love for Joe Pass?

I think he's kind of second tier, along with Kessel and Herb Ellis...

Then I think you are tone deaf.

robmilmel


I'm on a roll-3 jazz links in 3 days, plus Patsy Cline as a bonus.

Good stuff man! More please.

dhudd: mitchcumpstein: bush: mitchcumpstein: As a tone junkie, I think the best natural hollow-body jazz guitar players out there (in regards to tone) are Wes, Jim Hall and Peter Bernstein.

No love for Joe Pass?

I think he's kind of second tier, along with Kessel and Herb Ellis...

Then I think you are tone deaf.

I wouldn't put Bernstein in that league, though he does have a nice sound. Maybe Grant Green, but CERTAINLY Leo Nocentelli (yes, all the Meters stuff was recorded with a 175).

Currently, I'd say that for archtop guitar sound, the top guys for tone are Jimmy Wyble, Larry Koonse and Marc Ribot (when he's playing an archtop).

Oh, by the way, anybody ever seen this?

Link (new window)

It'll take the hollowbody snobbery out of anybody!

Used to have a Fender Jaguar teal/turquise - damned ugly color but a pretty nice piece.

where is that guy from the other day to tell us there are better
guitarists than Wes? He will then name three yokels from some
second-rate thrash bands as his 'proof'.


There is playing and then there is 'playing' as in knowing your
instrument and what it can do...

Banging out three chord rock using a bunch of pedals is pretty
far down the list.

mctom

Oh, by the way, anybody ever seen this?

Cool. Nice tone, mind you that's all in Joe's fingers I'm sure he could have made my old Yamaha acoustic sound like the voice of God.
My bass teacher introduced me to his playing, "Have You Met Mrs. Jones" NHøP on bass, grateful for that.

mfaby

There is playing and then there is 'playing' as in knowing your
instrument and what it can do...

Banging out three chord rock using a bunch of pedals is pretty
far down the list.

Those don't have to be mutually exclusive. Jimmy Nolan's playing might not have been technically off the charts but is absolutely brilliant in its simplicity and groove and it was a huge part of James Brown's sound. Johnny Marr also comes to mind as a brilliant rock player with a very distinct sound. Just sayin'.

mitchcumpstein
Joe Pass...he's kind of second tier

Not in My world. I love Joe Pass more than Ice Cream

mctom

If You know this already, sorry 'bout that. This is from "Sounds of Synanon" some info follows:

Joe Pass: Sounds of Synanon
A significant recording, as this is Joe Pass' debut on vinyl. It was recorded while Pass was still a patient at the Synanon Drug Center in California. Made with fellow patients, Pass proved to be a star. It is interesting to note that Pass played an electric solid body Rock guitar, as he did not even own a guitar at this time. His legendary chops are especially evident on "Projections" and "Hang Tough," featuring some of his cleanest playing ever recorded. His accompanists prove to be adequate, but hardly approach the genius of Pass. A landmark recording in the history of Jazz Guitar. Review taken from Allmusic.com

pipco: If You know this already, sorry 'bout that. This is from "Sounds of Synanon" some info follows:

No, I didn't know that. Thanks! As a matter of fact, that clip is one of my favorite Joe Pass cuts ever (I never really got into him), and I always wondered why I liked that more than his other stuff. Fascinating!