Taylor’s Recording Notes for the A&M Trilogy
While surfing the internet, I stumbled upon an unexpected website:
dougpayne.com soundinsights
This music site features a comprehensive discography of all CTI works. Intrigued, I contacted the site’s creator, Doug Payne, to ask more about the detailed information he had listed.
Doug revealed that he had a close friendship with a Brazilian CTI engineer named Arnaldo DeSouteiro and that he had directly received copies of all recording notes from Creed Taylor himself. Since Doug is also a discographer, his listings are incredibly detailed. Given that the source of the data is Creed Taylor, who can be considered Wes Montgomery’s mentor (though his biological parent in music is Orin Keepnews), the credibility of this information is very high. Here are the newly revealed recording data:
Regarding “A DAY IN THE LIFE/A&M SP-3001”:
- Previously, all recording dates were noted as June 6-8 and 26, 1967, without distinguishing which songs were recorded on which days. However, Taylor’s notes clarified the specific recording dates for each track.
- There is no mention of June 8 in the notes, suggesting that this date was likely reserved for the orchestra recording.
- Although not included in the album, there is a recording note for “Never On Sunday” on June 7.
Regarding “DOWN HERE ON THE GROUND/A&M SP-3006”:
- The original recording dates were December 20-21, 1967, and January 22, 26, 1968. However, Taylor’s notes differ significantly from the liner notes.
- Although not included in the album, there is a recording note for “Hearts Beat” on December 21, 1967.
- “Down Here On The Ground” has recording notes by Deodato for December 21, 1967, and by Sebesky for January 22, 1968. It was previously thought that only Deodato’s arrangement and conducting were involved, but since the album does not specify which version was used, it remains as it is.
- “The Other Man’s Grass Is Always Greener” was recorded on both January 22 and 26, 1968, but there is no note indicating which take was included in the album.
- “Goin’ On To Detroit” was recorded on January 26, 1968, but the album version has a recording note from December 20, 1967.
Regarding “ROAD SONG/A&M SP-3012”:
- Notes indicate that for “Scarborough Fair” and “I’ll Be Back,” the takes used were combinations of two different takes for each track.
Regarding “CLASSICS VOLUME 22/A&M CD-2520”:
- There are detailed recording notes for this CD, which includes four previously unreleased tracks and an alternate version of “Switchin'” (aka: “Up And At It”).
The pages of the chronological discography have been updated accordingly.
However, there are still gaps in Creed Taylor’s notes, meaning not everything has been precisely clarified. Doug cautioned me, as a fellow discographer, to never fully trust the data in liner notes. While such information is often the most reliable reference available, it should be handled with care.
As someone who has edited and compiled discographies for years, I believe that when verifiable information comes to light, even a small added note can enhance the credibility for the readers. Continuing to revise and add to Wes Montgomery’s data, striving for completeness, provides a kind of exhilarating satisfaction akin to conquering something significant. This meticulous work, despite its modesty, is incredibly rewarding.