Artist:  Wes Montgomery

Title:  California Dreaming

Date:  1966

Label:  Verve / Blue Note Records   V6-8672

Cover Design:  Acy R. Lehman 

Cover Photo:  Ken Whitmore 

Notes:  When I was a lad I heard an interview with Jimi Hendrix and he mentioned one of his biggest influences was Wes Montgomery. I knew then I'd have to invest in some of his records to see what the buzz was. A what a depth of material I found. Although sometimes it feels like a record company A & R man put together the set list, the results are usually staggering. Wes can fly and dive with the best of them. The artists on these sessions swing along and make it all work together. The cover photos show the "Golden State" and the man with a big fat guitar. Nice stuff.

Line Up:

Guitar: Wes Montgomery, Al Casamenti, Bucky Pizzarelli
Piano: Herbie Hancock
Trombone: Wayne Andre, John Messner, Bill Watrous
Trumpet: Mel Davis, Bernie Glow, James Nottingham
Alto Sax, Flute, Piccolo: Ray Beckenstein
Alto, Baritone Sax, English horn, Clarinet: Stan Webb
Bassoon, Clarinet, Tenor Sax: Walter Kane
French Horn: James Buffington
Vibes, Castanets, Scratcher: Jack Jennings
Tuba: Don Butterfield
Bass: Richard Davis
Percussion: Ray Baretto, Grady Tate

Track Listing

Side 1

California Dreamin'
Sun Down
Oh You Crazy Moon
More, More Amor
Without You

Side 2

Winds of Barcelona
Sunny
Green Peppers
Mr. Walker
South of the Border