Bags Meets Wes!

by Wes Montgomery, Milt Jackson

Overview

Milt Jackson was 38 when, in December 1961, he co-led this superb hard-bop date with the distinctive guitarist Wes Montgomery. A jazzman who was as opinionated as he was gifted, Jackson wouldn't hesitate to tell you exactly what he thought of a musician -- so when he praised Montgomery, you knew his praise was genuine. Not surprisingly, the boppers prove to be quite compatible on Bags Meets Wes, which finds them co-leading an all star-quintet that also includes pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Philly Joe Jones (who shouldn't be confused with swing drummer Jo Jones). Although Jackson and Montgomery prove what lyrical ballad players they could be on the standard "Stairway to the Stars," ballads aren't a high priority on this album. Instead, the improvisers put more of their energy into the blues -- and the 12-bar format serves them well on "Sam Sack," "Blue Roz," and "S.K.J." Equally strong are hard-swinging versions of Montgomery's "Jingles" and Benny Golson's "Stablemates." [A Japanese version included bonus tracks.] ~ Alex Henderson

Product Details

Release Date:	03/04/2008
Label:	Fantasy / Riverside / Riverside Records / Universal
UPC:	0888072305021
Rank:	98893

Tracks

1. S.K.J.
2. Stablemates
3. Stairway to the Stars
4. Blue Roz
5. Sam Sack
6. Jingles
7. Delilah
8. Stablemates [Take 4]
9. Stairway to the Stars [Take 2]
10. Jingles [Take 8]
11. Delilah [Take 3]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Milt Jackson   Primary Artist,Vibraphone
Wes Montgomery   Primary Artist,Guitar
Philly Joe Jones   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Drums
Wynton Kelly   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Piano
Sam Jones   Primary Artist,Guest Artist
Sam "Stovepipe No. 1" Jones   Bass

Technical Credits

Victor Young   Composer
Ken Deardoff   Cover Design
Larissa Collins   Art Direction
Rikka Arnold   Editorial
Albert Roman   Project Assistant
Chris Clough   Project Assistant
Benny Golson   Composer
Frank Signorelli   Composer
Joe Tarantino   Remastering
Wes Montgomery   Composer
Nick Phillips   Project Supervisor
Ray Fowler   Engineer
Milt Jackson   Composer
Mitchell Parish   Composer
Joe Goldberg   Original Liner Notes
Matty Malneck   Composer
Orrin Keepnews   Producer,Annotation,Audio Production,Reissue Producer