Down Here On The Ground

by Scott YanowGuitarist Wes Montgomery's three A&M records (of which this was the second) are strictly dated pop music. He sticks to melody statements (with a liberal use of his trademark octaves) on such songs as "I Say a Little Prayer for You," "Georgia on My Mind," a couple of Lalo Schifrin movie themes and The Tijuana Brass's "Wind Song." At least Montgomery was able to make a good living during his last few years but jazz fans are advised to avoid this one altogether. 

Wes Montgomery's second release on the CTI is a solid jazz guitar album but I don't place it among his masterpieces. It was arranged by two great arrangers, Don Sebesky and Eumir Deodato (who arranged the title song and Brazil-flavoured Know It All), and the band (including Hubert Laws, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Grady Tate, Mike Mainieri and Ray Barretto) plays all right, but there's still a lot of dull places filled with strings. This album was donated by baron von rock