"Goin’ Out of My Head" by far represents the song writing talents of the 1960's at their peak. The lyrics are double-edged, so that what can sound like a highly descriptive love song could also be a song about getting dumped very hard. For Wes Montgomery, "Goin’ Out of My Head" became his greatest hit recording. With a sensuous rhythmic walking riff, the chart by the great Oliver Nelson turns this trifle into a performance of near hypnotic proportions as if the person involved just can’t get the image of their lover out of their mind. Wild spiraling figures make the whole performance a wild, almost hallucinogenic experience. Montgomery weaves his very basic variations around this marvelously understated performance that yields many discoveries upon repeated listenings.
My Trusted MOGs
Montgomery deserved this hit after recording so many great jazz tracks. This song has an intricate enough structure to make any wild imrovised solo treacherous.