I've been trying to find this Wes recording but having a difficult time.

blogan · #1 01-02-2012, 06:06 PM

It is a recording of Round Midnight, but it is a live recording and the record it is on is some kind of a compilation from some K-tel type company, (know what i mean by K-tel, not a major label) the only way I can describe it is that this version of the tune, and it's live, starts off in the regular half time tempo, then right before the solo there is this little interlude where the rhythm section plays a little progression leading into the solo. Then the solo starts and it is double time. And the crowd goes crazy because the groove is soooo deep. And because it is an off brand compilation recording it fades out during the solo.

But the main thing is I want to hear what they are doing in that little interlude which is just great. And like I said the double time groove when the solo starts is just too much. I want to say that he is playing with his brothers on that tune but I'm not sure.

Has anyone ever heard this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Flyin' Brian · #2 01-02-2012, 06:23 PM

There's a new Wes record coming out that has some live stuff with his brothers on it and I believe that Round Midnight is one of the cuts.

blogan · #3 01-02-2012, 07:45 PM

Thanks, I'll look for it. Unfortunately all of the live stuff I have sifted through is not what I'm looking for.

Oh well, I'll keep looking.

Thanks

janward · #4 01-02-2012, 10:38 PM

I believe the name of the album was "Full House" recorded Live at Tsubo in Berkeley CA around, maybe, '62. I remember because I played there a couple of years later. I'm pretty sure Miles Davis' group at the time were with him (Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, Jimmy Cobb and maybe Johnny Griffin on tenor) and the album COOKED. He was with Riverside then and should be pretty easy to locate the album. I discovered that album in Paris in '64 and it totally turned me around.

janward · #5 01-02-2012, 10:41 PM

Actually I just searched it...I was wrong. His first recording of Round Midnight must have come later - but not much. I'll look again. But he stayed on Riverside for several albums, so that's a start.

janward · #6 01-02-2012, 10:51 PM

Here it is (actually earlier - 1959) "The Wes Montgomery Trio" - a dynamic new sound. Produced by Orrin Keepnews for Riverside.
Wes, Melvin Rhyne - organ, Paul Parker - drums.
Funny I got it confused. I had been in love with that tune since the early fifties but hearing Wes do it made me see that it could be played on the guitar without insulting Monk's vision. I must have heard it after 62 though.

blogan · #7 01-02-2012, 11:47 PM

Hey janward, thanks but it wasn't organ on the recording. It was piano. I've never heard him do an arrangement like that before. And he's got a few of Round Midnight. This was an off brand album. Some obscure compilation. But it was a live recording and it just grooved like a MOFO!

So you played at Tsubo? I wish I was around to have checked out music there. I have lived in the bay area all my life but I guess when that was around I was in kindergarten. I don't even know where that would have been in Berkeley. From what I hear the jazz scene in SF and Oakland was pretty cool back then. Now there is only Yoshis. We actually lived in SF for a little while. I had some work done on my guitar by the guy who used to work on Wes's.

Thanks again. I knew if I asked here I would get everyone looking for it.

princeplanet · #8 01-03-2012, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blogan

Hey janward, thanks but it wasn't organ on the recording. It was piano. I've never heard him do an arrangement like that before. And he's got a few of Round Midnight. This was an off brand album. Some obscure compilation. But it was a live recording and it just grooved like a MOFO!

So you played at Tsubo? I wish I was around to have checked out music there. I have lived in the bay area all my life but I guess when that was around I was in kindergarten. I don't even know where that would have been in Berkeley. From what I hear the jazz scene in SF and Oakland was pretty cool back then. Now there is only Yoshis. We actually lived in SF for a little while. I had some work done on my guitar by the guy who used to work on Wes's.

Thanks again. I knew if I asked here I would get everyone looking for it.

I think I have it. It's called "Ultra rare American Club performances". And yes it's amazing, despited the tinny piano sound (Mabern?). On Round Midnight, it sounds like he's using a chorus/phaser effect. The dates are from New York and Hamburg (with a different band). Other tracks include Caravan and Twisted Blues. Lots of very quick single lines!

oldane · #9 01-03-2012, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by princeplanet

On Round Midnight, it sounds like he's using a chorus/phaser effect.

I don't think Wes used phaser/chorus. It may have been available in advanced studios - I don't know - but I doubt it was invented as portable units for live use back then. But he may have used the tremolo effect of a Fender amp. He did so in one of the ballads from the famous "Smokin' at the Half Note" session.

princeplanet · #10 01-03-2012, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldane

I don't think Wes used phaser/chorus. It may have been available in advanced studios - I don't know - but I doubt it was invented as portable units for live use back then. But he may have used the tremolo effect of a Fender amp. He did so in one of the ballads from the famous "Smokin' at the Half Note" session.

Could be tremolo, with an off axis mic making it sound phasey. If you hear it you'll know what I mean. It's a pretty thick effect, doesn't sound like just tremolo. I was kinda shocked when I heard it, after all it was 1965!
EDIT: just re heard it, yeah, it's just tremolo, just sounded chorusy when he went to octaves....

EddieLastra · #11 01-03-2012, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blogan

It is a recording of Round Midnight, but it is a live recording and the record it is on is some kind of a compilation from some K-tel type company, (know what i mean by K-tel, not a major label) the only way I can describe it is that this version of the tune, and it's live, starts off in the regular half time tempo, then right before the solo there is this little interlude where the rhythm section plays a little progression leading into the solo. Then the solo starts and it is double time. And the crowd goes crazy because the groove is soooo deep. And because it is an off brand compilation recording it fades out during the solo.

But the main thing is I want to hear what they are doing in that little interlude which is just great. And like I said the double time groove when the solo starts is just too much. I want to say that he is playing with his brothers on that tune but I'm not sure.

Has anyone ever heard this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I believe the track you're looking for is in a very hard to find LP titled "Live at Jorgie's Jazz Club" It was on an independent LP label. It came in 2 volumes, 'Round Midnight was in Vol 2. I have both LP's. Good news for you is it looks like it's available on CD. Check it out on Amazon, they have sound samples from the CD: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Live-...5613069&sr=1-1

blogan · #12 01-03-2012, 12:20 PM

Hey Eddie,

Thanks. Sounds very close, but I just don't remember the piano sounding so tinny and player piano-ish. But the licks he is playing sounds dangerously close. Although I know he does the same things in Round Midnight on many different recordings.

Do you have this recording and if so, could you listen to it and tell me if just before his solo they go into this little break/interlude with the piano playing some chords leading up to the solo, with Wes starting off the solo with about five or six notes then the rhythm section kicks in, and the solo section is double time, and the crowd in the club starts clapping and yelling. That is unfortunately the best way I can describe it. It is just a cool interlude leading up to the solo section.

Thanks and I checked out your youtube and it sounds great. I like your use of all the triads. Your guitar sounds great also. I was never sure about Epiphones but that one you are playing sound very good. Very warm.

I hope you have this recording that you speak of. Amazon does have it and I listened to the sample but it doesn't go as far as the interlude before the solo and I don't want to have to buy it, only to find out that maybe it isn't what I'm looking for. But it sounds very close.

Thanks man.

princeplanet · #13 01-03-2012, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blogan

Hey Eddie,

Thanks. Sounds very close, but I just don't remember the piano sounding so tinny and player piano-ish. But the licks he is playing sounds dangerously close. Although I know he does the same things in Round Midnight on many different recordings.

Do you have this recording and if so, could you listen to it and tell me if just before his solo they go into this little break/interlude with the piano playing some chords leading up to the solo, with Wes starting off the solo with about five or six notes then the rhythm section kicks in, and the solo section is double time, and the crowd in the club starts clapping and yelling. That is unfortunately the best way I can describe it. It is just a cool interlude leading up to the solo section.

Thanks and I checked out your youtube and it sounds great. I like your use of all the triads. Your guitar sounds great also. I was never sure about Epiphones but that one you are playing sound very good. Very warm.

I hope you have this recording that you speak of. Amazon does have it and I listened to the sample but it doesn't go as far as the interlude before the solo and I don't want to have to buy it, only to find out that maybe it isn't what I'm looking for. But it sounds very close.

Thanks man.

No, I don't think that's it. I told you, I have it. Google Ultra Rare American club recordings. It has a blue-ish cover with swirly art work. It is on the Definitive label. It's an el cheapo label. I bought it because it says on the cover "The Incredible Guitar".... but it was a trick! It was not the album of the same name at all! No one else I know has heard it. The sound is questionable, but the guitar is killer.

blogan · #14 01-03-2012, 12:38 PM

Eddie, I just noticed that you live in Vallejo. I grew up in the Bay Area. This first thing that came to mind when I listened to your youtube was Warren Nunes. Did you ever study with him? If not you sound dangerously close to his style. Lot of triad stacked just the way you are doing.

I grew up in Dublin and lived in Oakland and all over the East Bay. We probably know some of the same players. Don't know too many Vallejo guys or north bay guys.

I know this is a horrible imposition but is there any way you could make an mp3 of the recording you have and send it to my e-mail? If you can't I completely understand. It's just that I got this in my head now and can't get rid of it. I may just have to buy that album on Amazon.

But at the very least let me know about your Bay Area stuff and name some players you know.

Bye

Bill C · #15 01-03-2012, 01:00 PM

There's also a version of Round Midnight on Wes's Smokin' at the Half Note I think ...

EddieLastra · #16 01-03-2012, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blogan

Hey Eddie,

Thanks. Sounds very close, but I just don't remember the piano sounding so tinny and player piano-ish. But the licks he is playing sounds dangerously close. Although I know he does the same things in Round Midnight on many different recordings.

Do you have this recording and if so, could you listen to it and tell me if just before his solo they go into this little break/interlude with the piano playing some chords leading up to the solo, with Wes starting off the solo with about five or six notes then the rhythm section kicks in, and the solo section is double time, and the crowd in the club starts clapping and yelling. That is unfortunately the best way I can describe it. It is just a cool interlude leading up to the solo section.

Thanks and I checked out your youtube and it sounds great. I like your use of all the triads. Your guitar sounds great also. I was never sure about Epiphones but that one you are playing sound very good. Very warm.

I hope you have this recording that you speak of. Amazon does have it and I listened to the sample but it doesn't go as far as the interlude before the solo and I don't want to have to buy it, only to find out that maybe it isn't what I'm looking for. But it sounds very close.

Thanks man.

Hey Bob,

I took a listen to my LP and the cut does have the interlude and switch to double time just as the recording cuts out. But, I was reading one of the reviews of the CD and it seems they company reissuing the CD version might have edited out that last part, check it out before you buy. It would be a bummer if they cut out that last part because as you say it was really awesome what they did there. Thanks for bringing up that recording. I hadn't heard it in over 20 years, almost forgot what a nice gig that was.

And thanks for your kind words about my youtube

~Eddie

EddieLastra · #17 01-03-2012, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blogan

Eddie, I just noticed that you live in Vallejo. I grew up in the Bay Area. This first thing that came to mind when I listened to your youtube was Warren Nunes. Did you ever study with him? If not you sound dangerously close to his style. Lot of triad stacked just the way you are doing.

I grew up in Dublin and lived in Oakland and all over the East Bay. We probably know some of the same players. Don't know too many Vallejo guys or north bay guys.

I know this is a horrible imposition but is there any way you could make an mp3 of the recording you have and send it to my e-mail? If you can't I completely understand. It's just that I got this in my head now and can't get rid of it. I may just have to buy that album on Amazon.

But at the very least let me know about your Bay Area stuff and name some players you know.

Bye

Wow, what a small world! I took lessons with Warren over at ABC Music in Castro Valley. Did you also study with him? I was among his last group of students that was with him just before he passed away. Warren taught a lot of the really great players in the bay area. I'll have to check my notes to recall any names, but there were always lots of good players hangin' around at his monthly workshops. I'll get back to you about the mp3 request, I'll see what I can do

blogan · #18 01-03-2012, 02:40 PM

I knew it. Unmistakable style. Yes I studied 5 years with him. ABC music. Wow! Was Steve Dougherty still there playing with him? The bass player? I took my last lesson with him way back somewhere in the late 80's, like 87 or 88.

I'd recognize those triad stacks anywhere. I actually played on Warrens CD and was there for all of that fiasco during the recording. You know, Warren could be a real pain to deal with sometimes. I would get to his house on a saturday morning at like 10 am and he would have 3 empty fosters cans sitting on his amp. Boy did I see him tear into guys sometimes. Did you ever meet a guy named Rex Bell? Just curious if we know some of the same guys. And that guy who used to own ABC, Bob something, I can't remember his last name. A rocker.

Wow! What a trip down memory lane. Do you know what eventually caused Warren's demise? I heard Leukemia and that he shot himself. Shooting himself doesn't sound like the Warren that I knew. Let me know if you know anything about that.

Nice chatting with you. I am working on cruise ships playing in the orchestra now. Traveling a lot. If the mp3 is not too much trouble I would really enjoy that.

Get at ya later.

EddieLastra · #19 01-03-2012, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blogan

I knew it. Unmistakable style. Yes I studied 5 years with him. ABC music. Wow! Was Steve Dougherty still there playing with him? The bass player? I took my last lesson with him way back somewhere in the late 80's, like 87 or 88.

I'd recognize those triad stacks anywhere. I actually played on Warrens CD and was there for all of that fiasco during the recording. You know, Warren could be a real pain to deal with sometimes. I would get to his house on a saturday morning at like 10 am and he would have 3 empty fosters cans sitting on his amp. Boy did I see him tear into guys sometimes. Did you ever meet a guy named Rex Bell? Just curious if we know some of the same guys. And that guy who used to own ABC, Bob something, I can't remember his last name. A rocker.

Wow! What a trip down memory lane. Do you know what eventually caused Warren's demise? I heard Leukemia and that he shot himself. Shooting himself doesn't sound like the Warren that I knew. Let me know if you know anything about that.

Nice chatting with you. I am working on cruise ships playing in the orchestra now. Traveling a lot. If the mp3 is not too much trouble I would really enjoy that.

Get at ya later.

Hey Bob,
Wow, this is something short of spooky. Warren must be still guiding us old students from the great beyond

At the time I was taking lessons at ABC in 1996, Steve Dougherty was still playing bass along with another bass player named Bill Berry, and Bob was still running the store though it had changed owners. Rex Bell was teaching out of a music store in Concord, in fact I took a few lessons with him there, but he couldn't tell me how to get in contact with Warren. I can see your name on Warren's CD album credits, wow what a trip! I was involved in the proof reading for his final book "Three-in-One" that he published with Mel Bay just a few months before his demise. I'll continue the rest of this conversation with you off line. I'm sure you got lots of great Warren stories to tell, got a few myself