Wes Montgomery - Bumpin'

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

A classic album! My favorite jazz guitar album! An audio "hug"!

This is my favorite Wes Montgomery album (I have them all!), my favorite "jazz guitar" album (I also collect Johnny Smith, Herb Ellis, Tal Farlow, Barney Kessel, and others) -- and one of my favorite albums of all time (in a collection of over 2000 CD's and 2000 vinyl albums).

There are some who are too narrow-minded to appreciate the strings -- well, there are many orchestra-less guitar albums out there for that minority. I love the strings! They turn Wes's bare trio into something warmer and richer! The strings turn these old 'Sixties chestnuts into something transcendant. Don Sebesky's string arrangements are top-notch and I would like to buy up every album Sebesky ever did.

But the star is Wes! Such heartfelt guitar! Great choice of songs! I put on this album when I need a hug. It always warms my heart. It takes me to a place where there are no wars or religions or pollution. I may buy a second copy to keep in my car. December 26, 2007

Lose the orchestration.

Why doesn't someone in the industry put out a "Bumpin" CD minus the extra orchestration (just the original rhythm section with Wes)? They must have it since the arrangement was fleshed out later. In fact there must be gobs of great Wes stuff buried under all those those dated orchestral arrangement records he made. I love Wes Montgomery's playing but hate the fuddy-duddy arrangements. I have all his small combo stuff. It would be fantastic to hear some of his other stuff minus all the strings, etc.
What a concept! May 14, 2007

Forget those who barf too much

Contrary to the "two star" wonder this is Wes at his Bes.' You don't like strings? What about Miles and Gil Evans? Ben Webster did it. So did Coltrane. Just about every Jazz artist has. Relax. One has to consider the era in which this album was recorded; from the mid fifties to the sixties, popular music ruled the airwaves. All jazz artists at that time were trying to connect to a broader if younger audience. So get a grip!
On a personal note, this was one of the first jazz albums I bought at the tender age of twelve, and I played it right along with my Beatles, Stones, Supremes, Cream, Canned Heat, Hendrix and Byrds records. I don't see how anyone can piss and moan about a Van Gelder-Sebesky-Creed Taylor production.
The newer 20 bit transfer sounds better than the older transfer, and with the out-takes included, is great value for the money. This cd sounds GREAT on my vacumn tube system, 'though not as great as the remastered vinyl versions.
Still, the tune Bumpin' alone and by itself makes this a must have in my music collection any day. March 8, 2007

In my top 5 of all time!

I am shocked and amazed at the 'critics' giving this cd such a low review. It is hauntingly beautiful and complex. The arrangements with the strings paired with a relaxed and fluid Wes, it's going to be that cd you put on to win people over to Jazz. In generic terms, this cd is perfect from start to end. January 16, 2007

it's ok

This CD is quite ok, but it ain't jazz....It would be nice for background at a cocktail party, not disturbing the conversatio. If you like that, buy this cd, if you are looking for jazz, pass this one:) November 12, 2006

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