An evening at Tsubo
Berkeley, June 25, 1962: At Tsubo, Wes Montgomery joins Johnny Griffin and the rhythm section led by Wynton Kelly. Full House captures that evening with guitar, tenor saxophone, piano, bass and drums. Producer Orrin Keepnews wanted to preserve Montgomery’s impact in front of an audience.
Five musicians in conversation
Full House captures Wes Montgomery in a live quintet whose members can match his melodic clarity with real rhythmic appetite. Johnny Griffin’s tenor saxophone provides a quick, forceful front-line partner; Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb bring the shared reflexes of a deeply seasoned rhythm section. Montgomery’s thumb attack remains unmistakably warm, yet the club setting draws out a particularly vigorous side of his playing.
From ballad to fast blues
The title composition begins with a compact line that gives guitar and tenor equal authority before the solos stretch the form. Griffin’s density and Montgomery’s rounded articulation create a productive contrast rather than a contest. “Blue ’N’ Boogie” increases the pace, and Montgomery moves through Dizzy Gillespie’s changes with single-note invention, octaves and chords that feel like connected stages of one argument. “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” narrows the ensemble and lets him treat the theatre melody with tender directness. On “S.O.S.,” his own writing supplies crisp rhythmic turns for the whole group, while Kelly’s piano continually places fresh harmonic light under the guitar. Chambers and Cobb make the transitions feel effortless, keeping the performance mobile even when the soloists increase the pressure.
This edition at Michael 45
This edition spreads Full House over two 180-gram LPs at 45 RPM. The four-side configuration gives this live meeting a substantial physical presentation and keeps the interaction between Montgomery, Griffin and the rhythm section at the centre. It belongs in collections devoted to Montgomery, guitar-tenor partnerships and jazz performances energised by an attentive room. Michael 45 stores the records in Germany and sends them from Hilden, allowing customers to avoid a personal US import and the corresponding customs delay.
Analogue Productions, catalogue number AAPJ 214-45: mastered by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman at Acoustech Mastering and pressed at Quality Record Pressings. The edition comes in a Stoughton tip-on gatefold jacket with a matte finish.
Customer question: Buying Analogue Productions records in Europe
Musicians
Wes Montgomery
Guitar
Johnny Griffin
Tenor saxophone
Wynton Kelly
Piano
Paul Chambers
Double bass
Jimmy Cobb
Drums
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