Wes Montgomery - A Day in the Life

Japanese only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD - playable on all CD players) paper sleeve pressing. Universal. 2008. Album Description

Bop-Pop

My father gave me two records when I was young (in the 60's). One was this Wes album the other was "Meet The Beatles". Both were squarely in the pop category and both were hits. Both were also a revelation to me; the Beatles album for it's energy and songs and the Wes album for it's guitar voice and it's soothing sounds. My ignorance of styles and lack of critical listening experience let me just enjoy the music. Other albums I owned in that era were soon tossed out (Dave Clark Five, Young Americans, The Monkees) - but these two I still own and listen to.

Being a huge jazz fan I can understand the frustration in hearing such a talented artist in such an "simple" setting, but it was a pop album as played by jazz artists (Hancock, Carter, Tate, Richardson - wow). This kind of cross over has always gone on and this album is one of the best examples of it. George Benson's "Breezin'" angered many of his fans as well but it didn't make the playing any less brilliant.

I have no doubt that Wes would have continued to broaden his listening audience in many ways - I wish he had. "A Day In The Life" is just another example of how a genius chose to experiment with musical settings for his playing. Nostalgic? Yes. Easy-Listening? Sure. Beautiful and Thoughtful? Absolutely!
November 17, 2008

A Day in the Life

If your really into classic Wes Montgomery then you might not like this album. It came out towards the end of his career/life and is different then anything you'll hear under the Riverside record label. A Day in the Life is him playing jazzed up versions of pop songs arranged and conducted by a guy named Don Sebesky. It certainly isn't the hard bop you might expect out of Wes Montgomery, but it is still worth both buying and listening to. February 11, 2008

A CLASSIC, "MUST-HAVE" for ANYONE who loves great music.....PERIOD!

Of all the Wes Montgomery's albums, I would have to say that this one was his best (although I have them all, and love them all). This album is the one I go back to the most often, and it truly is a great, great, collection of Wes' "best" if you will.

Not to be missed (if you've heard this album, then you already know this) and sure to "grace" anybody's collection of great music, jazz or otherwise (whatever your taste) you need this album on your shelves!!!

Certainly one of the top 10 albums I would be putting in my "bag" for a Desert Island sojourn!!! ~operabruin August 22, 2007

Wes signed with A&M to make the money.

Give the guy a brake. A&M records was all about the money. He didn't have to sign with them. It was all about makin' the bucks. This was great stuff for seducing the women who weren't in to jazz.
Jimmy Smith made a few albums with orchestra backing. It was just a sign of the times. I love his pure jazz works, they were some of his best. Take it as it was meant to be at the time. August 5, 2007

In the Hands of a Jazz Master

This album by Wes Montgomery has been the doorway for many a pop/rock fan to enter the world of jazz. That includes this writer. A wise brother (at the time a semi-professional jazz guitarist) years ago loaned me this LP to listen to; it was my first taste of jazz -- and it changed my world.

All the jazz heavyweights of the era are here: Wes on guitar, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass, Grady Tate on Drums, Ray Barretto on percussion, and a full backing orchestra to boot. Even the most overplayed of pop/rock standards can become a kind of spiritual symphony in the hands of a jazz master, and that is certainly the case here with Wes Montgomery, as he breathes new life into some of the pop fare of the day.

Once I heard this album, I was pulled out of the staid pop/rock orbit into a much wider and refreshing universe of jazz -- and I have never looked back. Jazz has become a very important part of my life, and it was this album by Wes Montgomery that opened the door and let me come right in.

Thank you, brother Roch, wherever you are! November 17, 2006

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