Portrait of Wes

History

Portrait of Wes is one of the two issues of Wes Montgomery's last cut for Riverside Records. His performances in October and November 1963 are issued as two albums by Riverside. The other album is released as Guitar on the Go which is the last official album of Montgomery under his Riverside contract. Ironically, Montgomery worked with Melvin Rhyne for his first recordings for Riverside and with this performance, he again worked with Rhyne, but this time for his last recordings for soon to be bankrupt Riverside.

It has been reissued by Original Jazz Classics with additional alternate takes.

Reception

Allmusic jazz critic Scott Yanow said of Portrait of Wes: "The brilliant guitarist is in fine form on these appealing tunes with the highlights including "Freddie the Freeloader," "Blues Riff" and "Moanin.'"

Original Issue by Riverside

Side 1:

1. "Freddie The Freeloader" - 5:14
2. "Lolita" - 6:32
3. "Movin' Along" - 6:16

Side 2:

1. "Dangerous" (Montgomery) – 7:03
2. "Yesterday's Child" (Charles DeForest) – 4:14
3. "Moanin'" (Bobby Timmons) – 5:48

Reissue By Original Jazz Classics

1. "Freddie Freeloader" (Miles Davis) – 5:16
2. "Lolita" (Barry Harris) – 6:36
3. "Blues Riff" (Wes Montgomery) – 6:18
4. "Blues Riff" [Alternate take] (Montgomery) – 8:14
5. "Dangerous" (Montgomery) – 7:03
6. "Yesterday's Child" (Charles DeForest) – 4:14
7. "Moanin'" (Bobby Timmons) – 5:48
8. "Moanin'" [Alternate take] (Timmons) – 4:35

Personnel

Production notes: