Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery - Jimmy & Wes: The Dynamic Duo

Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery - Jimmy & Wes: The Dynamic Duo

The first and best out of just two collaborative albums by organist Jimmy Smith and guitarist Wes Montgomery, Jimmy & Wes: The Dynamic Duo was recorded in 1966 and features arrangements by Oliver Nelson. It is frequently listed among Jimmy Smith's best albums. The duo's follow-up record, Further Adventures of Jimmy and Wes, was taped during the same sessions and released in 1968. All Music critic Richard S. Ginell gave The Dynamic Duo the maximum * * * * * rating, stating that "Creed Taylor matched two of his most famous artists, Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Smith, on this session (Montgomery's last for Verve), and the results are incendiary- a near-ideal meeting of yin and yang. Smith comes at your throat with his big attacks and blues runs while Montgomery responds with rounder, smoother octaves and single notes that still convey much heat. They are an amazing pair." 

Tracklist

SIDE A:

1. Down by the Riverside
2. Night Train

SIDE B:

1. James and Wes
2. 13 (Death March)
3. Baby it's Cold Outside

Personnel:

Jimmy Smith - Organ

Wes Montgomery - Guitar

Bob Ashton, Danny Bank, Jerry Dodgion, Jerome Richardson, Phil Woods – reeds

Clark Terry – trumpet, flugelhorn

Ernie Royal, Jimmy Maxwell, Joe Newman – trumpet

Jimmy Cleveland, Melba Liston, Quentin Jackson – trombone

Tony Studd – bass trombone (tracks 1-2)

Dick Hixson – bass trombone (track 4)

Richard Davis – bass

Oliver Nelson – arranger, conductor