1962 · Album
Full House
Recorded 1962 · Riverside Records · Produced by Orrin Keepnews
The Guitar Commands the Room
Wes Montgomery's thumb attack sounds like nothing else in jazz—pure, warm, and completely in control.
Full House catches Wes Montgomery at a point where he's figured out exactly who he is as a player and isn't interested in proving anything to anyone. This is a working session, straightforward and confident, with Wes leading a tight group through a mix of standards and originals. What strikes you immediately is how his thumb-picked guitar tone dominates everything—warm, round, almost vocal in its directness. There's no pyrotechnics here, no need for them. Tracks like "Four on Six" and "Missile Eye" show a player completely comfortable with space and silence, letting notes breathe instead of filling every gap.
The rhythm section of Ray Brown on bass and Jimmie Smith on organ gives the date a relaxed, almost conversational feel. Smith's organ playing keeps things grounded and soulful without getting too heavy-handed, while Ray propels everything forward with that deep, singing tone of his. These aren't flashy supporting players—they're collaborators who understand the assignment. Wes plays with this group like they've been working together forever, and maybe that ease is what makes Full House feel so immediately accessible. This is a record that doesn't ask much of you, which somehow makes it more rewarding.
In the arc of Wes's recording career, this sits comfortably as one of his finest statements, though it doesn't have the later commercial reach of some of his other work. If you're just getting to know him, you might start with something like The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery (1960) first to hear him in a more formally structured setting. But once you know his playing, Full House is essential—it's Wes at ease, making it look effortless, which of course means it's anything but.
Who's playing
Paul Chambersdouble bass
Wynton Kellypiano
Wes Montgomeryguitar
Johnny Griffintenor saxophone
Jimmy Cobbdrums
Where next?
More by Wes Montgomery
The Incredible Jazz Guitar 1960
The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery 1960
Incredible Jazz Guitar 1961
Boss Guitar 1963
The musicians on this record
Kelly Blue 1959
Wynton Kelly
plays piano here
plays piano here
Thelonious in Action 1961
Johnny Griffin
plays tenor saxophone here
plays tenor saxophone here
