Riverside Records · in the Kissa Kissa racks
Groove Yard
| Recorded | Jan 3, 1961 |
|---|---|
| Label | Riverside Records |
| Released | 1961 |
| Personnel | 4 credited players |
| Discogs | master 293043 |
The record
A family affair cut for Riverside as Wes's solo star was rising, with brothers Buddy and Monk keeping the groove loose and clubby behind that unmistakable octave-laced guitar. Easygoing, blues-soaked hard bop that shows how well the trio format suited them before Wes stepped fully into the spotlight.
Session personnel
- Monk Montgomery — bass
- Bobby Thomas — drums
- Wes Montgomery — guitar
- Buddy Montgomery — piano
Contemporary reception
Familiarity doesn’t breed contempt for the Montgomery Brothers; it breeds an instinctive rapport, a cohesion that only the most rehearsed bands achieve. With drummer Buddy Thomas laying down a gentle foundation, the boys, especially Wes (guitar) and Buddy (piano) build sensitive musical portraits with such tunes as “If I Should Lose You,” “Heart Strings” and “Just For Now.” Outwardly fragile, the group has a solid blues base and a firm direction.
Pressings
Riverside issued it in 1961, mono as RLP 362 and stereo as RLP 9362, and the mono is the earliest we list. A UK pressing kept the RLP 362 number and appears in 1962 with white and blue labels, with a French copy in 1963. For a playable record without the hunt, the 1984 Original Jazz Classics OJC-139 is the sensible reissue, and the 1976 Japanese SMJ-6141 is the other easy option.
Showing the first pressing, audiophile reissues and copies carrying a collector marker, out of 26 pressings on file.
| 1961 | Riverside Records · RLP 362 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono earliest on file |
|---|---|
| 1961 | Riverside Records · RLP 362 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono |
| 1961 | Riverside Records · R-45466 — Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo |
| 1961 | Riverside Records · R-45466 — Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Riverside Records · RLP 9362 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | Riverside Records · RLP 362 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono |
| 1961 | Riverside Records · RLP 362 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Mono |
| 1962 | Riverside Records · SE-2058 — Vinyl, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Jukebox |
| 1962 | Riverside Records · RLP 362 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono, white/blue label |
| 1963 | Riverside Records · RLP 362 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono |
| 1971 | Riverside Records · MW 2033 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | Riverside Records — STEREO |
| 1976 | Riverside Records · SMJ-6141 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | Riverside Records · SMJ-6141 — Vinyl, LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo |
Follow the players
Monk Montgomery also plays on
Bobby Thomas also plays on
Wes Montgomery also plays on