Since achieving major success in the 1960s with
the Montgomery Brothers band, and (along with brother
Monk on bass) backing brother
Wes on some of the guitar great's most popular albums,
Buddy Montgomery has been heard from only occasionally. This trio album on Sharp Nine shows him still in fine form both as a composer and gently swinging pianist. If the album has one weakness, it is the relative sameness of the compositions and tempos. Even the usually uptempo chestnut "That Old Black Magic" is transformed here into an almost unrecognizable slow ballad. Still, with solid backing from bassist
Jeff Chambers and drummer
Ray Appleton,
Montgomery has made a fine album of quiet, soulful piano music. ~ Joel Roberts