Django Latino

Joe Craven | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 16, 2004)
• Original Release Date: July 16, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Crow Art Records
• ASIN: B0002RQOC4
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #510,303 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Minor Swing

2. Sweet Chorus

3. Hungaria

4. Nuages

5. Melodie Au Crepuscule/Manoir De Mes Reves

6. Douce Ambiance

7. Babik/Festival 48/Micro

8. Anouman

9. Montagne Ste. Genevieve

10. Double Scotch/Artillerie Lourde

11. Swing 39

12. Swing 42

13. Tears

14. Djangology

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Joe Craven was a longtime member of the David Grisman Quintet, which was how he happened to meet and perform with the great jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli (1908-1997) who, despite a long and illustrious solo career, was best-known for his brief but seminal collaboration with the legendary Manouche (French Roma, or Gypsy) guitarist, composer and bandleader Django Reinhardt (1910-1953). It takes guts to tamper with a legacy like the latter’s, but surprisingly, this unbelievably versatile American multi-instrumentalist and virtuoso -- if it has strings or can be beaten, rattled or shaken, he can play it -- pulls it off beyond all expectations. The premise of the album, re-imagining fourteen of the Maestro’s best-known tunes via an eclectic array of Latin traditions, could easily have been disastrous. But, neatly sidestepping the twin pitfalls of reverent over-caution and ego-fuelled self-indulgence, even while overdubbing himself and his admirable back-up team (another perilous proposition!) into a veritable tropical palm-court band, Craven succeeds in refracting the tunes through genuine-sounding Cuban charanga, Brazilian bossa nova and choro, Haitian ibo, Colombia cumbia, and Argentinean tango, plus many other grooves. Each tune emerges as its own microcosm, separate from all the others yet part of a logical seamless progression. --Christina Roden

Product Description

Multi-instrumentalist Joe Craven and Crowart Records celebrate the release of DJANGO LATINO; Compositions of guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grapelli through a musical lens of Latin America.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joe Craven's Django Latino=Fresh Django, September 17, 2004

By 

Blackwood Tom "Blackwood Tom" (Merced, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Django Latino (Audio CD)

Amidst the sudden blizzard of Django Reinhardt copy bands, Joe Craven's cd, Django Latino, is a fresh and sunny day.

With guitar heard on only 3 tracks and never aiming to sound like Django, Craven gives a new twist, sweet, vivid and deep, to 16 compositions by the great Gypsy guitarist. The recording gives all the tribute with none of the imitation.

Joe, shining bright on violin, mandolin and percussion, brings along several of his compadres from the David Grisman band and a choice selection of lively friends and fine players. Apt arrangements and a unique rhythmic approach, from cumbia to tango, expertly tailored to each tune, the album dances, graceful and hot, from start to finish.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A most wonderful audio adventure, January 27, 2005

By 

michael harmon (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Django Latino (Audio CD)

I saw Joe Craven play at DjangoFest San Francisco in 2004. A truly wonderful musician who seems to be a master of any instrument he touches. On this CD he takes tunes written or made famous by Django, and interprets each in a different latin style. His choice for musicians is absolutely beyond reproach and they breath a whole new life into gypsy jazz standards. I think you'll enjoy this as a gypsy, jazz, or even a bluegrass fan.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HOT HOT HOT, January 22, 2009

By 

L. Amundson "Readsalot" (San Diego CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Django Latino (Audio CD)

This is my favorite CD. Salsa meets gypsy jazz rocks. Each country gives a unique flavor I found myself wanting mucho mucho more. This is an excellent CD give it to people you love.