Djangology [Original recording remastered]

Django Reinhardt | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 9, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000069CPD
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,258 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #86 in Music > Jazz

Editorial Reviews

CD > POPULAR MUSIC > JAZZ

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Remastered to perfection, July 24, 2002

By 

Kevin Gardner (Philly) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Djangology (Audio CD)

I am a Django fan, and like most fans I have owned the 1990 BlueBird release, "Djangology 49" for some time. Like most I have always marveled at the aweful sound of this session. The poor sound quality of this release made it a very difficult session to enjoy, even for a hard-core Django addict like myself. Now all has changed.
In July 2002 Bluebird released the Rome 1949 sessions again on a CD titled, "Djangology." The two words that come to mind after listening the newly remastered sound are, "noiseless" and "balanced." Ken Robertson has so loving smoothed out the sound you will not believe its the same session as, "Djangology 49." There is practically no guitar distortion, and the new mix now allows you to hear all the instruments clearly and with an even volume level. All of the background hiss has been removed.
The improved sound allows to finally appreciate this sessions for what it is, a masterpiece.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Django, June 28, 2006

By 

Jazzcat "stef" (Genoa, Italy Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Djangology (Audio CD)

Simply Django finally in a very well recorded edition. So it's something fantastic believe me. It is simply a marvellous listening experience, I searched for this record for some time and finally I have it in my hands... Oh Django! Some people are afraid of listening to Django because they have the impression that this music could be "dated", not trendy anymore. This music is brilliant and Django is forever! He was like Parker, Gillespie, Powell on their own instrument. Guitar (and even Jazz in a sense) has never been the same after Django. It is a boppish kind of session. It is still a classical Grappelli - Reinhardt cohoperation but it has been recorded in the late Django years (he died just few months after this recording) so he has already been exposed to the influence of bebop. He liked bebop (which music connossoir could dislike it?) and for a brief period he was even intimidated by bebop giants. But he was an unbelievable natural talent so in the end he started to play his own version of bebop incorporating it into his gitane music. Here you can find a lot of classic Django (Daphne, Minor swing), some very well known american standards (All the things you are, It's only a paper moon, After you've gone etc) in a small combo format. It's Django with Grappelli and few less known italian musicians who had the very lucky opportunity to play with the master. It is a sort of very appropriate introduction to Django's music, maybe together with the double Verve cd "Peche a la mouche" which I suggest too. It is sublime, very romantic but also very skyrocketing at some point. Django is unforgettable. he was really mature in his style, very in control, unbelievably virtuosistic but even melodic, as he has always been by the way ,... but here you can appreciate his talent in a very well remastered edition of some of his best music. Highly suggested!!!!!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for Django fans, March 28, 2005

By 

Tom Leoni (Alexandria, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Djangology (Audio CD)

This CD's tracks are a good representation of the post-war Django, after he had been exposed to the emerging be-bop style and phrasing. Here, Django and extraordinary violinist Stephane Grappelli record some of their classics with three Italian jazzmen (piano, bass and brushed snare-drum), providing a somewhat different feel from the sound of his guitar-dominated 1930's Hot Club days.

For "generalist" jazz fans, this CD will give a nostalgic taste of rhythms, textures and sounds of another time - delivered by the best. For Django and Stephane's aficionados, these tracks are a gem. Django's playing is red hot yet polished, crisp and precise, and continues to amaze for the sheer richness of his inexhaustible ideas both as a soloist and an accompanist. Stephane once again proves why he was the indisputed genius of the jazz violin - never missing a beat, a quarter-tone or an opportunity to say something fresh, new and heartfelt.

The all-Italian rhythm section is in style and non-intrusive, allowing the two stars to express themselves to the fullest while providing great steady support. The occasional piano solo is delivered beautifully in a very personal style, with techniques clearly reminiscent of a strong classical background.

Sound-wise, a great effort was made to rid the old recording of white noise and hissing. I am extremely pleased with the result - Django's Selmer guitar and Stephane's magic violin come across crisp and clear.

Listen to "Minor Swing" or "I'll never be the same" if you want to get a chill up your spine. This CD helps understand why Django is, to this day, the most influential jazz guitarist who ever lived.