1961 · Album
So Much Guitar!
Recorded 1959 · Riverside Records · Produced by Orrin Keepnews
When One Guitar Says Everything
Montgomery makes the guitar speak in a voice that feels like it's coming straight from inside your chest.
So Much Guitar! is exactly what the title promises—Wes Montgomery playing with the kind of relaxed confidence that only comes after you've already figured out what you're doing. This isn't his debut, and it's not the album that broke him nationally, but it sits right in that sweet spot where he's completely comfortable with his sound and approach. The record leans heavily on standards and jazz staples, which might sound conservative until you actually hear how he moves through them. Montgomery's octave playing is the main event here, that instantly recognizable doubled-note technique that makes a single guitar sound like a small ensemble. It's warm and full, almost orchestral, but never loses the human touch underneath.
What makes this album stand out is its unhurried pace. Montgomery isn't trying to dazzle you with speed or complexity. He's interested in melody, phrasing, and how a song can breathe. Tracks move at their own speed, and the supporting musicians—whether it's the rhythm section or horn players—give him room to explore without cluttering things up. The guitar is never fighting for attention; it just claims the space naturally. The recording quality is clear enough that you can hear exactly what his fingers are doing, the way he shapes notes, when he's digging in hard and when he's barely touching the strings.
This is a good record to listen to when you want to understand why Montgomery mattered without committing to his entire catalog. It's not experimental or pushing boundaries. It's simply excellent jazz guitar playing, performed with taste and intelligence. If you love the guitar in jazz but haven't spent time with Montgomery, start here. If you already know his work, this one holds up as a perfect example of why he became one of the most copied and admired guitarists in the music.
Who's playing
Where next?
More by Wes Montgomery
The Incredible Jazz Guitar 1960
The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery 1960
Incredible Jazz Guitar 1961
Full House 1962
The musicians on this record
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