Famed guitarist Wes Montgomery didn’t like to fly, so his European fans only had one chance to catch him live in performance. Now Resonance has released about 100 minutes of his March 27, 1965, appearance as In Paris: The Definitive ORTF Recording. His only concert in France, this has been bootlegged on a variety of labels, but this is the first complete and official release. Playing with the deeply compatible rhythm section of pianist Harold Mabern, bassist Arthur Harper, and drummer Jimmy Lovelace, plus a guest appearance by tenor saxophonist and European resident Johnny Griffin, Montgomery is his usual dazzling and hard-swinging self. The program includes such familiar fare as Wes’ originals Four on Six, Jingles, Full House and West Coast Blues, Monk’s ‘Round Midnight, and John Coltrane’s Impressions. Mabern’s high-stepping To Wane is the only piece that Montgomery hadn’t previously recorded. He tears through it like he’d been playing it for years. Resonance has done their usual superb job of presenting the music in context, with period photos, an interview with the still-active Harold Mabern, an interview with guitarist Russell Malone, and essays about Montgomery and the band’s appearance in France. Recorded by the Office de Radio-diffusion-Télévision Française (ORTF), the sound quality is excellent, with a real “you are there” feeling. Montgomery, the studio perfectionist, was much more at home on stage, playing for an audience, and he doesn’t disappoint here. The French crowd loved the show, as revealed by its enthusiastic applause, and you’ll love it too. Absolutely recommended.
Resonance HCD-2032; Wes Montgomery (g) Harold Mabern (p) Arthur Harper (b) Jimmy Lovelace (d) Johnny Griffin (ts on *); Paris, France, March 27, 1965; Disc 1 (44:29): Four on Six/ Impressions/ The Girl Next Door/ Here’s That Rainy Day/ Jingles. Disc 2 (55:23): To Wane/ Full House*/ ‘Round Midnight*/ Medley: Blue ‘n Boogie, West Coast Blues*/ Twisted Blues. www.resonancerecords.org
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