Smokin’ At The Half Note (Limited gatefold)

An American jazz critic once said that Wes Montgomery was the “best thing that could happen to a guitar.” Grand words, one might say quickly racking one’s brains to come up with other great names. But after only a few minutes of listening to this live recording made in 1965 at the Half Note in New York, you will forget your brain-storming and concentrate on the unfused performance of this brilliant guitarist and the superb Wynton Kelly Trio. The music which gets down to the nitty-gritty, is always cool and straight with no fuss or frills getting in the way; the message comes over clearly–and it makes the blood surge through one’s veins!
This legendary session was recorded at a New York nightclub. It captures Montgomery at the height of his improvisational powers. Many consider it the best performance on record by one of the most inventive guitarists in jazz history.