The legendary jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery — a link between Charlie Christian and Jimi Hendrix — reached his widest audience with a series of pop-influenced albums he recorded with arranger Don Sebesky in the ‘60s. But fans often turn to his trio recordings when they want to hear the essence of Wes. 1963’s Boss Guitar features a superb threesome: Montgomery, organist Mel Rhyne, and drummer Jimmy Cobb. Montgomery also worked with the great organist Jimmy Smith, but Rhyne approaches the instrument differently. Where Smith builds and builds in dramatic, sometimes over-the-top fashion, Rhyne smolders, creating a beautiful, low-key foil for the guitarist. Boss Guitar opens with a cool, gliding version of “Besame Mucho” that quickly makes the listener forget all the schmaltzy versions this warhorse has endured. The rest of the album maintains a high level of artistry, but if you had to pick a highlight, it might be “The Trick Bag.” Rhyne and Cobb comp and swing as Montgomery spins out a fine solo that incorporates his trademark use of octaves. Rhyne follows with a warm, smokin’ statement, and then Cobb lets loose, playing off the others’ monster riffing. A classic.
Other Versions
- Kenny Burrell & John Coltrane
- George Benson & Brother Jack McDuff
- Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Pass, Ray Brown & Mickey Roker