The Alternative Wes Montgomery
Wes Montgomery · 1963
77 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A captivating blend of jazz standards and innovative arrangements showcasing Montgomery's signature guitar style and expressive phrasing.
Top tracks — play these first
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Born to Be Blue — This opening track sets the tone with its emotive melody, showcasing Montgomery's ability to convey deep feeling through his guitar work.
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Body and Soul (take 2) — At over eleven minutes, this track allows Montgomery to explore intricate melodic lines, highlighting his exceptional skill and emotional depth.
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Fried Pies (take 1) — This piece features a playful groove that demonstrates Montgomery's rhythmic inventiveness and unique approach to blending swing with lyrical fluidity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases Montgomery's improvisational skills through alternate takes but lacks a strong cohesive narrative.
What we noticed
- The album features multiple takes of jazz standards, allowing listeners to hear variations in Montgomery's improvisation and phrasing.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing with climactic moments
- immersive guitar-driven explorations
- for reflective evenings
- detailed listening for guitar enthusiasts
Maybe skip if you
- seeks fast-paced instant gratification
- prefers short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 1963, Wes Montgomery had already established himself as a leading figure in jazz with his breakout albums like 'The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery' (1960). 'The Alternative Wes Montgomery' serves as a collection of alternate takes from sessions that highlight his versatility and creative process during a prolific period in his career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- George Benson· Pat Metheny· Jim Hall
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Born to Be Blue 7:24
- 2 Come Rain or Come Shine (take 1) 7:14
- 3 Fried Pies (take 1) 6:35
- 4 Besame Mucho (take 2) 6:24
- 5 The Way You Look Tonight (take 2) 5:48
- 6 Stairway to the Stars (take 2) 3:44
- 7 Jingles (take 8) 6:52
- 8 Bock to Bock (take 1) 5:36
- 9 Movin' Along (take 1) 6:37
- 10 Body and Soul (take 2) 11:17
- 11 Tune Up (take 9) 4:39
- 12 Tune Up (With Strings - take 2) 5:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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