This second take of "Body and Soul" from Wes Montgomery's 1960 album Movin' Along on Riverside Records offers an earlier, slightly more relaxed reading of Johnny Green's classic standard at approximately 200 beats per minute in D-flat. Compared to the seventh take, this version gives the soloists a touch more breathing room, and the performances stretch to two choruses each. James Clay opens with two choruses on flute, developing his ideas more expansively in this longer format. Montgomery follows with two choruses on electric guitar, taking full advantage of the additional space to build his solo through his signature textural layers. His navigation of the tune's sophisticated AABA harmony, particularly the dramatic bridge modulation, is fluid and assured. Victor Feldman closes the solo section with two well-crafted piano choruses that demonstrate his exceptional harmonic awareness. The existence of multiple takes from this session reveals the dedication and craftsmanship that went into Montgomery's Riverside recordings, which are widely regarded as the definitive documents of his artistry. Each take captures a different moment of inspiration, and this earlier version has a more exploratory quality that makes it a valuable companion piece to the later take.
