Wes Montgomery: Wes Montgomery In Paris

With Resonance Records' release of Wes Montgomery in Paris 1965, we receive not only the first official production of this classic concert to provide royalties to the Montgomery family, but also a gloriously remastered portrait of a seminal jazz contributor during a pivotal period of artistic history.

Lovingly appointed with extensive commentary and an abundance of historic photos, the two-disc album documents the astounding concert by Wes Montgomery in Paris, which featured Montgomery backed by an astute working band—the same group that accompanied Montgomery throughout his only European tour. The concert is renowned because of the prowess Montgomery shows throughout, as well as the breadth of music he chose to display.

The 10 tracks offer a journey of moods, tempos, and styles, from a spirited rendition of Coltrane's "Impressions" to the cinematic, Latin-infused "Here's That Rainy Day," to the hauntingly gaunt "'Round Midnight," to the extended finale "Twisted Blues."

On all, we witness Montgomery in his natural habitat: surrounded by stolid musicians, free to improvise extended, intricate solos, unencumbered by the studio setting, and feeding off the responsiveness of the audience.

The result is a unique window into an artist at the height of his powers, worth adding to any aficionado's library, or using as an introduction to Montgomery's musical universe.