Customer Reviews

The Quintessential Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli: Quintette Du Hot Club De France (25 Classics 1934-1940)

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The Reinhardt/Grappelli discography is currently overcrowded with product both good and slipshod, and someone just wanting an introduction to their marvelous music could easily get confused. Make no mistake, the vast majority of these 25 performances (clocking at a generous 74:15 running time) are taken from THE classic "Hot Club de France" quintet performances from the 1930s, and represent much of the very best work these two masterful musicians ever did together.

For those not familiar with ASV's "Living Era" series, these are beautifully and unobtrusively remastered old recordings -- a virtual sonic textbook on how to remaster the old stuff right. The price is nothing to complain about, either.

If you're looking for one Reinhardt/Grappelli CD, this is the one to have.

If you like virtuoso jazz guitar and violin, old swing tunes, amazing acoustic guitar playing, or just great music in general, don't miss a chance to hear Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. When the Hot Club of France was formed in the 1930s, nobody had ever played quite like this before, and nobody has since (though many have tried). Probably the reason they aren't better known today is, first of all, because they played in Europe and never really entered the mainstream of American jazz, and also because until recently their remarkable music was available only on relatively poor-quality LPs and old 78s. In recent years, however, the wonders of digital remastering have brought these wonderful old tunes back to life, and a whole new audience can marvel at their virtuosity. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of Reinhardt and Grappelli's CDs, because their music is consistently excellent, but this one has a fine selection of songs and is a good place to start for someone who isn't already familiar with these amazing musicians. One thing I have to mention, though, is that the editorial review (by Jazziz) refers to a "6-CD set," which is apparently a different compilation. This is just a single CD, although there's quite a lot of music packed into it. If you're already hooked on Reinhardt and Grappelli and are ready for a boxed set, JSP's 5-CD set (The Classic Early Recordings in Chronological Order) and 4-CD set (Paris and London) are both excellent. No matter how much you listen to this music, it seems almost impossible to get tired of it.

There are all the guitar players on one side. On the other, you have DJANGO REINHARDT...

This is a great opportunity to discover the true genious of these two musicians who made a legend out of their names. These recordings were made during the golden years of Django's quintet. Django Reinhardt was the greatest guitar player in the world. There was no other greater before or after him.. He could do with his guitar things no one could. He had a style, ...a kind of sophisticated gypsyan touch, many other players (on both sides of the Atlantic) tried to imitate. Stephane's playing, like Django's, was also on a class by its own. They were both perfect for each other and their playing is subtil and sensuous.

The tracks selected for this cd represent some of their best work together during those early years. Some ("Souvenirs", "Twelfth Year" and "Swing 39") were composed by the duo. They put their talents in evidence with charm and sofistication. The quintet format they adopted was the best way to simply enhance their magic. I listen to "Souvenirs" and get astounded by the sensiousness of their playing. The same happens in their version of the well known "Tea for Two" which by far surpasses many of the other versions we all know. With them, it's Tea for Two with an european flamboyance. "Lambeth Walk" is their humorous track: many will remember it was used by MTV on one of their vignettes.

To me, the transfer seems fine considering the fact that the original recordings are very old (you can't try to compare these to other recordings made 15 years later when the technology available was much better - and with Django and Stephane, who would do that?). There are many Jazz albums and there is this Reinhardt & Grappelly album.

I have to agree with the other reviewers, this is a great CD. I really enjoy it a lot. The sound quality is very good for an old recording - - it seems to have been digitally "cleaned up" with
some care.

This CD strikes me as a well thought out collection of songs; it's very "album" like. The accompanying narrative of the album talks about many of the individuals cuts and makes reference to particularly good performances by Reinhardt or Grappelli.. After listening to this CD many times, I agree with the assessments. There are indeed some really great performances here. I think some real care was taken in putting this CD together. I would have to say that these are select cuts chosen by someone who knew the material well. The music tends toward being up-
beat. The Reinhardt - Grappelli collaboration was remarkable. The contrast of Grappelli's fluid violin work is beautifully balanced with Reinhardt's crisp chording and wonderful solo "runs". When I put this CD on while I am doing other things, there are cuts or passages that automatically catch my attention and I have to stop and listen and remark how good it is.
Bill W.

If you're into Django Reinhardt and his music, this may be the single most all-inclusive CD of his works available, containing most of the tunes he became best known for performing. You probably will not need another.

The one critique I have is, that for some inexplicable reason, the version of Limehouse Blues on this CD is noisier (hissy) than another copy of the song I have, though it is note-for-note the same version and, I'm pretty sure, the same performance. All the other tunes appear to have been processed for higher quality- a minor drawback; an excellent CD.

Anyone who loves the guitar, and who enjoys discussing great players, simply must include Django Reinhardt in their library and their discussions. "Quintette du Hot Club de France: 25 Classics 1934-1940" is a great place to start. His speed, inventiveness, musicality, and emotion are unsurpassed by any other guitar player from any other genre or any other era. And on top of that, you get the added bonus of Stephane Grappelli's violin playing. Buy it, listen to it, and be amazed.

If you're just going to buy a 1-disc Django CD, this is a pretty good one to start with. Lots of great songs on this disc. But you can spend just a little more money and get a more complete 4-disc set called "The Classic Early Recordings in Chronological Order volume 1." (I haven't listened to volume 2 yet, but I know volume 1 is good.) Anyway, it's hard to go wrong with Django Reinhardt.

I bought this for Stefan Grapelli's contribution (I'm a fiddle player) but enjoyed even the pieces without fiddle. Just try to listen to "Minor Swing" without tapping your foot or waggling your bottom. The music is fun and light-hearted, and good for playing at a family gathering with varied musical tastes.

Absolutely stunning music, fantastic digital enhencement. The sound engineer did a tremendous job. I was looking for Stephane Grappelli's recordings for 20 years. Such artistry of jazz violin playing by Grappelli and jazz banjo/guitar playing by Reinhardt. An absolute treasure. A must have in any classic music library. Should be 10 stars.

This is the happiest music I've ever heard. I can be in complete doldrums, and somehow this music always makes things seem brighter. From the dolcissimo of the violin to the nostalgic rhythms of Django Reinhardt's guitar, this music is so full of spirit and sincerity that it colors your whole day with a smile. The standards are perfect for the quintet's style. Take this along for a leisurely afternoon by the river, a quiet ride on a back road, or even bring it to work to sweeten your day.