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SUMMARY
Jazz critics consider guitarist Wes Montgomery's most "important' recordings to be the ones he made for Riverside between 1959 and 1963. However, music lovers best remember his two extremely productive years for Verve. During this time Wes produced 9 LPs! Among the most memorable titles are "Bumpin", "Smoking At The Half-Note", "Going Out Of My Head" and Mr. Record's personal favorite, "California Dreaming".
Like most of Montgomery's Verve LPs, "California Dreaming" features the tight orchestrations by Don Sebesky. Sebesky used a large group of 19 players to produce an immense sound. However, unlike the subdued and string accented "Bumpin", "California Dreaming" is a brassy, bouncy affair, with definite emphasis on bounce!
The album features many fine soloists, including Herbie Hancock on piano, Bucky Pizzarelli on acoustic guitar, Ray Baretto on congas, and the steady backbeat of Grady Tate on drums. California Dreaming is an album whose time has arrived. In the '60s, jazz purists did not exactly appreciate jazz musicians who embraced pop music, but how times have changed! "California Dreaming" is a treat for music lovers. Now with superior mastering and silent 180 gram vinyl, it's a treat for the audiophile as well!
REVIEWS
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1. Mr. Walker
2, California Dreaming
3. Oh You Crazy Moon
4. More, More, Amor
5. Green Peppers
6. Winds Of Barcelona
7. Sunny
8. South of the Border
9. Without You
10. Sundown
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