Is anyone here into Monte Montgomery? He's an acoustic guitar-playin' sensation from Austin. He makes himself and a drummer on stage sound like 4 people! His studio stuff is really nice but his live performances take it to another level. Check out his covers of Sara Smile and Romeo & Juliet...simply freakin' amazing! I highly recomend his latest album, New And Approved. It's live and will blow you away.

OK, this is a new artist for me. I'm d/l'ing a few of his songs now and listening to one as I do so. Quite nice!

Tnx,

Paul

Monte's mother Maggie is a very good friend of mine. I've known Monte since he was a teenager, but he probalby wouldn't recognize me if I came up and handed him a photo of us together backstage at one of Maggie's shows. Yeah, he's a physically talented picker, but he never has learned restraint. As Mance Lipscomb once told another of my friends, "That's a whole of of notes, but it ain't got no feelin'."

Monte hasn't spoken to me since 1994, when I told him he needs to hook up with someone who can write songs and teach him what notes to not play. I still enjoy Monte's music when I get a chance to catch him without paying a cover charge, but if I'm paying my money I'll go see Jimmie Vaughan instead. Now there is a man who knows how to play with feeling.

Photo, you hit the nail on the head (as usual). Monte is an incredibly talented picker, but his music often falls down on lack of 'soul'. I've seen him at the Saxon a few times; his 'Sultans of Swing' is beyond belief. But his originals are not nearly the caliber of songwriting one expects around Austin.

I've often wondered what it is about the sound of a tune that makes it have 'soul'. It cannot be faked, apparently; you either have it or you don't, and even a casual listen reveals the truth. I have a term for music, even great music, that lacks whatever that feeling is: White Boy Blues. My usual example is Eric Clapton: incredible technical ability, and even a genuine love of the genre, but something about the presentation is lacking; that elusive 'soul'. When B.B. or Buddy or 'Gate' or Pinetop play, you can feel the emotion through the music. When the Brit-blues bands play it, it doesn't sound the same; the emotion is simply not there. I don't understand what that 'sound' is, but it is quite obvious to even casual observers.

And calling it 'White Boy Blues' is a misnomer, because it is not defined by race but by sound. Robert Cray is a fine, talented performer, but he plays 'white boy blues' as well. He seems more suited for Lou Rawls/Isaac Hayes style of music, not the low down blues. Conversely, Stevie Ray Vaughn had that feeling, in spades. When you hear 'The Sky is Cryin' you can feel the emotion he invests in the song. Even 'Tin Pan Alley' is a scorcher; you can feel the grit and pain of the place the song describes. All who knew Stevie say he was the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet, and while he lived hard and fast for awhile, he did grow up white in Dallas, so he was not exactly from the disadvantaged underclass (as were many Blues performers. And Country performers too, but that's another discussion...)
Ronnie Van Zant had that sound too, like on 'The Ballad of Curtis Loew', you can FEEL that skinny little white trash kid sitting on the porch with the old black man; you can FEEL the respect he felt for those folks on the wrong side of the tracks with him. Ronnie was a mean little punk (his bandmates' description), but he had real affection for and understanding of honest emotion in music, and it translated directly into his music.

If anyone ever figures out what the 'sound' of 'soul' actually is, they'll make a fortune creating the illusion. Interestingly, no one seems to have pulled it off yet; we can still recognize the emotion the performer personally invests in their music, and recognize when the performer is simply playing the notes.

None of this is meant to take away from the musical ability or accomplishments of folks like Monte or Eric or Robert. They are still incredible musicians and a delight to listen to. They merely have a different sound; it's what that actual difference IS that's so mysterious to me.

Happy Listening!

c.

his 'Sultans of Swing' is beyond belief.

Seconded.

I can't say I wholeheartedly disagree with anything here, but he sure is a pleasure to listen to. I haven't heard much of his studio stuff, mostly live sets, but always enjoyable to me.

I introduced a friend of mine to one of his CD's i've got. He then did the same for his father, a guitarist and Renaissance Minstrel in Oklahoma. Within a month his father was hanging out and playing with Monte, and I've yet to see him live. hmph. :smoke:

I have expanded my music pleasure while here on AK by reading threads such as this one. The last one being when gonzo was looking for a Boyer and Talton 1974 Cowboy LP. I purchased the LP and was truely satified. I think I will do likewise with Mr. Montgomery. Based upon what I have read in this thread I don't think I will be disappointed.

Let us in on your impressions, Zebra... :D

Let us in on your impressions, Zebra... :D

Didn't get one I bidded on @ E-Pray. I'm going to visit the Ye Ole' Head Shop this weekend and see if they have it.

Let us in on your impressions, Zebra... :D


Well I finally got one of Monte's Cd's, about a month ago. I must say that I played it all the way through and my thoughts were:
a. Good guitarist
b. Good lyrics
c. Not bad

I put it away and thought I would get back to it later, which I did. It was a time much better than the first time. It was a night that I was in the mood to LISTEN to the music. I must say that I felt like I was listening to a totally different CD over the first time. I must have had the tones set just right because it caught my attention from the very first chord and never let go. I actually played it two more times that night. And was very pleased with what I heard, evidently. I would say that I will definetly purcahse the other recordings by him. Hey, how could you not like someone named Monte!

Later
Monty :smoke:

Which album did you get? I have Live - New And Approved, Mirror and Live At The Caravan.

"White boy blues" is so apt. I recently used that phrase before I read it here.
Bit of a different take, but I like yours better.
I mentioned it about the original, Peter Green led Fleetwood Mac. Peter played the real thing, he KNEW the blues. He was depressive and later diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic before dropping out of the life for more than 20 years.
If Sara Smile is the tune I think it is, I like it.
Monte Montgomery? I'll look him up. Malmsteen plays a bit too many notes, too, but I like the kid.

WHAT CEEDEE HAS SARA SMILE ON IT?

WHAT CEEDEE HAS SARA SMILE ON IT?
Both of the Live albums I mentioned above but I like the New & Approved version better.

Which album did you get? I have Live - New And Approved, Mirror and Live At The Caravan.

I got Mirror. I think I will order his one previuous to this (1st and Repair) next. His music just fits like an old glove. Thanks for the introduction OneMalt. Much appreciated. :thmbsp:

Thanks for the introduction OneMalt. Much appreciated. :thmbsp:
Enjoy! :music:

I'll go see Jimmie Vaughan instead. Now there is a man who knows how to play with feeling.
(Not trying to hijack this, but...)
I've never heard this Montgomery, but I agree that Jimmie Vaughan is exception when it comes to playing with feeling (and unique style)! He is certainly a favorite of mine, and too bad Stevie left us way too early! I would imagine they would have done a follow-up (or two) to Family Style!

I've just ordered Live at the Caravan of [something]. From Amazon, your Music doesn't have any Monte Montgomery. I should be getting something from Your Music for my June queue.