Monte Montgomery - Monte Montgomery (2008)

It’s just amazing how skillfully singer-songwriter and guitarist Monte Montgomery shifts musical gears on his seventh studio album. On his self-titled 2008 Eminent Records CD, Montgomery does it all—from hard hitting blues rock to an illuminating pop-based approach that combines his soulful vocals and even more incredible acoustic guitar skills. Fitting his acoustic ax into the framework of a solid blues-pop groove, Montgomery also serves up a spellbinding, 10+ minute instrumental cover of the Jimi Hendrix favorite, “Little Wing,” with Montgomery wringing out every bluesy lick and lead out of his electrified acoustic guitar rig in the finest Hendrix spirit. He cites Buckingham and Knopfler as big guitar influences, yet Montgomery’s combination of solid fretboard work and soulful vocal approach also echoes the blue-eyed soul pop groove of Hall & Oates and Todd Rundgren with even an ‘80s Yes chaser thrown in for good measure. In the spirit of fellow Austin-ite Eric Johnson, Monte’s guitar work is truly something to behold, featuring red hot finger picking accented by well placed harmonics, speedy fretboard work and daring neck bends. All this is even more amazing when you realize he’s playing an acoustic guitar! Credit must also go out to Montgomery’s excellent backing unit featuring the solid rhythm section of David Piggott (bass) and Phil Bass (drums), who work up some solid musical ESP with the maestro. With his self-titled 2008 CD, Monte Montgomery breaks new ground in the rock guitar world.