Wes Montgomery Four On Six "Rare Recording" Live at the Half Note

[@tomasvanecek8626]

He flew to another planet here. I´ve never heard anything like this from him, not ever. I have all his albums, CDs, all I could get.. I know them by heart. and by ear, too ;) And I bet - here he himself was maybe for the first (last?) time just like a witness to something unimaginable happening... pushing the boundaries as far as you can, and getting there.. to the outer space. You just feel when it happens, and I found it here.

[@RyanSmith-WARTUBA]

Yes! Your description of what’s transpiring in time here, and what Wes manifests and so much more is the closest words can get to grasping that brass ring of transcendent inspiration which was this magical musical moment, in time and timeless, too! Thanks for putting this down…❤

[@allyourmoney]

No one will ever approach his chord soloing & octaves. He's just on another plane of existence with that stuff.

[@tomasvanecek8626]

Octaves are easy.. but chord soloing - it messes up your head really hard :)) Only Wes could do it.

[@Humanity2102]

I was very blessed to have seen Wes live numerous times. He is the only guitarist I've ever heard who did stuff on the guitar that was "impossible." On one occasion at the Bohemian Caverns in Washington DC., he ask me to sit in with his brothers with Billy Hart on drums. I almost had a heart attack!

[@mintygreen8760]

That’s an incredible story! What was he like in person?

[@adsvx]

What an incredible experience that had to have been. Wow.

[@Humanity2102]

@@mintygreen8760 Very humble and friendly. He was like a friend in very short order.

[@jeandanielcigarini574]

You re right Sir this guy was amazing..... the French dude

[@scarzgalore9102]

GOD has Blessed you my Brother big time!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I hate that they never include him when Rolling stones mag put out the 100 greatest guitarists they have Blues players but NO JAZZplayers...MAN!!!!!!!WTF

[@terryfoty2526]

I've heard all of Wes's recordings and I've never heard this one. This is Super! What a solo! That section from about 5:00 to 5:20 is amazing. The end is amazing. Wow!

[@tomasvanecek8626]

I just have to return to this one more time: Here you can hear chords which you have never even known they´d existed. And you will never hear them again. THIS is Wes´masterpiece plain and simple... so much deserved to be relased on an album... And best of all - it is not a flashy showing off - all of it just works so marvelously

[@A.ChristopherJohnson]

Best version of Wes's 4 on 6 I've ever heard....PERIOD !!!

[@teddypantelas]

I love her because there’s no piano. It’s rare that you hear west and it gets hard trio situation.

[@anthonykukla5384]

100% Agree.. that pattern at about 5:00 is absolutely insane !!

[@wifdellhenderson2760]

Yes, Mr. Wes the jazz's guitar master at his finest!...

[@scarzgalore9102]

The Talent is absolutely Ridiculous!!!!!!! It's tripping me out the way he is hitting those notes so rapid with his thumb.... Man!!!!!

[@romanmolimroma9772]

Dizem que certa feita Jim Hall declarou de forma jocosa que tinha vontade de pegar aquele polegar e bater bastante na porta de um carro. Abrir e fechar a porta bem forte com o polegar dele preso. Que maldade!!! Era brincadeira.

[@sitarnut]

The "James Bond " Walk-up at 4:40 reminding my Bro and me of the first time we heard him play that lick on, "Mister Walker" from the vinyl all those years ago.

[@PaulHofreiter]

That is really something - some of his best playing IMO. It is cool to hear variations on some of the phrases he used in the main half note recording. It’s just incredible playing.

[@teddypantelas]

I agree. If you want to hear something check out the posting of all the things you are that I posted from the same Live radio broadcast. It will blow your mind! Guaranteed! Also feel free to check out my KZbin‘s and Hear the music I play which is obviously Jazz. Enjoy.

[@romanmolimroma9772]

A primeira vez que ouvi Wes, foi na casa de um primo meu que era baterista das noites paulistanas dos anos 60, ele tinha centenas de discos de Jazz, incluso 3/4 Wes Montgomery. Sempre ia na casa dele ouvir. e aquele som nunca mais esqueci, pois, era único. Fui ouvir mais guitarristas de Jazz pelos anos 70 como Joe Pass, Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, Kenny Burrel,Tal Farlow, Jim Hall (Apaixonante) Pats Martino e Metheny, Johns Scolfield e Abercrombie. Passei por Chuck Berry, Johnny Rivers, veio Beatles e tantos outros, os progressistas, fusion, os frees jazz, hardjazz, mas, nenhum deles impactaram tanto quanto Wes, eles tocaram e tocam em oitavas que seria a influência da escola Wesiana, ou Montgomeryniana. Wes é o papa, o resto é a composição do vaticano. E hoje aprecio muito alguns brasileiros como Helio Delmiro e Lula Galvão, craques da primeira prateleira. No violão continuo com Baden Powell e Rafael Rabelo. Reconheço o talento de Yamandu Costa, melhorou bastante, e limpou bem a digitação.

[@teddypantelas]

I agree with you. There was no one like Wes Montgomery! He has inspired all the other guitarists you’ve mentioned. I feel that Wes Montgomery‘s music is timeless and so much to learn from to this day and beyond. Wes is king! Thank you for listening and sharing your thoughts.

[@allanyork244]

Way beyond love it

[@QIKWIA]

Omgosh.😍.incredible! Geee, I will love this amazing beautiful gifted man and his music,forever....💋

[@captainkoo]

Mind blowing. His on the spot phrasing is on another planet. And to think that he did this using his right thumb as a pick!!

[@cedjazz]

This is One of the most incredible solos I've ever heard. Any instrument.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

THAT OCTAVE RUN AT ABOUT THE 5 MINUTE MARK!!!! FACE MEET PALM!!! EPIC! LOL!!!

[@anthonykukla5384]

AHHH I know dude! I've been scrolling down forever wondering why no one else was raving about it, FACE MEETS PALM AND EARS MELT!

[@marieafranklincaudill8740]

I love the sounds he produced. He was an original one of a kind guitarist ❤️

[@jazzguitar31]

While he was criticized for playing to the popular market in his recordings, at the same time he was doing this in live performances. In 1967 I heard him at the Bohemian Caverns, in NE Washington, in a quartet including Buddy and Monk Montgomery, played "The Shadow of Your Smile" for about 20 minutes in the first set. The second set he improvised on "The Shadow of Your Smile" again, another20 minutes -- all new. God given . . .

[@teddypantelas]

That must have been absolutely mind blowing! What a privilege to have witnessed it. Thanks for sharing that story.

[@railcar123]

He just skates thru those changes.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Wes was legendary for his ability to reharmonize - i.e., invent new and interesting chord changes - for old standards. He was unexcelled in this art.

[@GrumpyStormtrooper]

I didn't know he started playing at 19, and a year later was already playing in clubs. I also started jazz piano seriously at 19, and Wes is extremely motivational for people who started to play (relatively) later in life like me.

[@teddypantelas]

It’s great that Wes can be an inspiration to you starting playing jazz at 19. Did you play classical music before that? If so how long? I find it having my classical background really helps a lot crossing over to jazz. It’s great that Wes can be an inspiration to you starting playing jazz at 19. Did you play classical music before that? If so how long? I find having a classical background can really help a lot crossing over to jazz.

[@GrumpyStormtrooper]

@@teddypantelas I never was this into music but I did do some lessons when I was 6 and then for 3 years at 12. I recently fell in love with this wonderful music, and have been pursuing seriously for the last year along my architecture studies.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

@ saucy risi: Monk Montgomery, who was a bassist and also Wes' older brother, bought him a tenor guitar when he was in his teens, a four-string instrument - as those were popular at the time (1930s-1940s). Wes got his first "real" guitar - a six-string - around the time he turned twenty. So Wes wasn't starting from scratch as a twenty-year old. That doesn't make his development any less-impressive, though. Without any formal instruction at all, and within a remarkably short amount of time, he had learned as many Charlie Christian solos off records as he could, and had won his first pro gigs on that basis. The rest is history. Charlie Christian's music is not easy, I am here to tell you - it is very advanced in certain ways, and learning it is by no means easy. Wes just made it look that way, I am sure!

[@pallhe]

Amazing!

[@Humanity2102]

Wow Jazzguitar31 I was there in the spring of 1968 at the Bohemian Caverns in Washington DC on 11th & U streets Northwest. Man, you were smart enough to record Wes live! Wes was my idol and provided me with life changing advice regarding different perspectives about music. Wes told me that it was common sense that a musician plays better with a clear mind versus being drugged up. He also advised me to never play the same song twice. Unfortunately, he died at home a couple of months after that performance at the Bohemian Caverns. Wes played straight ahead jazz in the jazz clubs. I saw him at the Kennedy Center where he played his popular songs. A elderly lady in her 70's was sitting besides be on the third row. Wes play an outstanding combination of block chords, with octaves and this elderly lady hollered out "Impossible!" I almost fell out of my seat. This is one of the few recordings I've heard that reminds me of how Wes played live in jazz clubs. He was all jazz!

[@travelingman9763]

Did Wes have perfect pitch?

[@mangolassi_.]

Absolutely amazing.

[@teddypantelas]

I agree Mathais that's the greatness of Wes his ideas and phrasing was always fresh and new. The thing I especially like about this take of Four On Six is it's a "guitar trio" and I believe that has a lot to do with it. There is a freedom in playing as a trio with out someone playing chords behind you. That's what's really special about this take for sure.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

It's hard work playing in a trio setting, without a chordal polyphonic instrument behind you, like vibes or a piano. A good bassist is essential, and drummer, too, but you'll still working so hard. You can hear that in Wes's playing. Even a genius like him worked hard in a trio setting. I wish he'd recorded more-often that way; he plays so freely in that way. I liked his solo numbers, too - the man was a bloody genius. Everything he played sounded heavenly.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

I see that this recording lists the great Wynton Kelly. Kelly sometimes just laid-out (opted out) of tunes when Wes on a roll, just went and took a break while Wes did his thing. Man's got to do what a man's got to do... ; )

[@teddypantelas]

Thats the cool thing about this recording. It’s the only one I’ve heard as a Trio. Maybe Wes asked him to lay out on purpose for just that tune. That’s why this recording is a classic. Imho

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Wynton Kelly is regarded by many jazz musicians - especially pianists but others also - as one of the finest, if not "the finest," accompanist of all time. Yet, Kelly often opted out and just let Wes do his thing. You're in the deep end of the pool when a cat that gifted doesn't see the need to add anything behind you!

[@MrEarldawkins]

absolutely incredible master brother Wes

[@frankboyle1320]

Amazing musician!!! Guess he has to be up there on any guitar player's list of incredible guitarist. Awesome sounds he created.

[@maaaa123456]

Amazing playing, amazing ..

[@mwanguzi]

Amazing....I love youtube. Thank you for sharing this!

[@aswadbryant204]

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

[@johnmcgrath8886]

super! ...notice the "theme from the third man" quoted at 4.00 mins

[@darinblayne]

Awesome variation on a classic!

[@wesm65]

Amazing version! Thanks for uploading Teddy! Phenomenal playing!!

[@teddypantelas]

You’re more than welcome.

[@nogoogleplus]

Sweet thanks!

[@ctambrosi]

The moment you realize he's playing the melody a half note up!

[@brunogigliofreitas]

one quarter

[@jazzguitar31]

Critics faulted Wes for deserting jazz fans in his recording which sold to the general public and kept the recording companies happy. Yet, throughout his recording success, he continued to play like this in clubs. He was very "inhibited" in his playing in recording studios, not that the genius did not show through. I can testify to the truth of this. Recorded two sets at the Bohemian Caverans, Washington, DC, a quartet with his two brothers. He played "The Shadow of Your Smile" for about 20 minutes in each set. Literally out of this world.

[@nilsounou2]

Please please for guitargods'sake share with us your treasure !

[@jazzguitar31]

I gave the recordings, made on a Mercury battery operated cassette recorder, to Yale Lewis, a jazz disc jockey in Washington, DC. He sent a letter of thanks, saying they were not high enough fidelity to play on the air, but he knew Wes' brothers, Buddy and Monk, and he sent the tapes to them. Yale passed on, and his archives are at the Virginia State University in Richmond. I have tried to find out if Yale dubbed the tapes before sending them to Wes' brothers, but without success. "Down Here on the Ground," his last album, has special sentimental value for me, because I got his autograph that night. Get the Jazz Icons DVD "Wes Montgomery Live in '65." I think most of it is on KZbin. Adrian Ingram wrote a biography, WES MONTGOMERY.

[@nilsounou2]

Thank you for your testimony. Hope these will show up someday...

[@teddypantelas]

I bet they were absolutely amazing! In my opinion every note that wes played find any recording was golden. He played the perfect guitar solo for every tune. As you mentioned the shadow of your smile a two minute recording for wes with one Coris play is the best course you could possibly play on the shadow of your smile. Boy, I wish I could hear those recordings you're talking about thanks for sharing.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Wes' command of the music was such that he overshadowed fellow jazz legends such as John Coltrane. I know a man who saw Wes during the short period when he guested in Coltrane's group, and this man says flatly that Wes blew everyone - including 'Trane - off the stage with his performances. Talent like his comes along so rarely - we are blessed to be able enjoy his wonderful music today, fifty years after his untimely death.

[@juangenesyjazz]

UNICO ! MAESTRO DE LA IMPROVISACION , TEMPO RELAJACION SUTILEZA NO REPETITIVO HASTA EL DIA DE HOY SUS GRABACIONES ME SORPRENDEN , GENIAL

[@marieafranklincaudill8740]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@wtumadremtupadre]

The definitive version

[@宗雄西本]

ウエスの究極のテクニックと究極のアドリブ自由感、これはアドリブプレイの究極の充足感、満足、歓喜です 、

[@albrown4589]

Wow !

[@A.ChristopherJohnson]

Get 'em Jimmy !

[@tomasvanecek8626]

Man, where do you come from with all these great versions ? It is like finding a Holy Grail you never knew there was..

[@teddypantelas]

it really is.Hearing Wes play this as a trio is something else! I'm glad you stoped by.

[@m44E74]

God!...

[@railcar123]

5:00-5:10!!

[@GrumpyStormtrooper]

that's just ridiculous

[@tomasvanecek8626]

Yeah.. none of you bitches can ever play it like he did here ... me included :)

[@pierrechaouat]

Why don't we hear any piano or bass ? Incredible Wes chorus though

[@grantgre]

where did you get this from amazing?!!!

[@AndyBartoshGuitarExperience]

Wes Montgomery, Four On Six Lesson: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJzRXqaAbLemoas

[@A.ChristopherJohnson]

I'd rather choose KZbin over Google, any day of da week !!!

[@robbyr9286]

Adam C Johnson Google owns KZbin.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

To all the impressionable kids who think you need drugs and alcohol to be a great musician or "cool", allow me to destroy that myth with two words: Wes Montgomery.

[@S7REULI]

Wes smoked weed

[@lkd982]

@@sessionQ smoking cigarettes, yes, weed and alcohol no. Hence his nickname "Mr Clean"

[@teddypantelas]

Typo Or shall I say voice recognition did the typo ps was supposed To be Piano

[@m44E74]

5:03/5:13!!!...

[@MR-zc7tk]

ピアノレス？

[@MR-zc7tk]

ピアノレス❓

[@MR-zc7tk]

ハーフノートか❓

[@MR-zc7tk]

嘘こくな

[@teddypantelas]

Wynton Kelly isn't playing on this one. This recording was done during a matinee set that week. truth!

[@AquaticMammalOnBicycle]

@@teddypantelas what were the matinee circumstances? I think comments are missing how sloppy a lot of his playing was especially in the first half, I assume tired from long hours or sick? But wow is he warmed up by 4:21 mark

[@MR-zc7tk]

ハーフノートか❓