Customer Reviews

Souvenirs

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This cd features guitar great Django Reinhardt and his longtime musical partner, violinist Stephane Grappelly in a variety of settings, chiefly a quintet. Few guitarists combined techncal dexterity with a fertile musical imagination and sense of swing like Django. His solo lines are as thrilling and lightning quick as any Charlie Parker solo, and his sound is packed with a bright tone, sharp attack, and subtle vibrato that is instantly recognizable. Complimented by the more laidback, cooler Grappelly, the two swing through the 20 tracks and leave you breathless, check out Grappelly's hot solo supported by Django's on frenetic chording on "My Sweet". Every cut is a brilliant performance that holds up under multiple listenings. This cd is as suited to the newcomer as it is to the long time fan and is highly recommended.

This is a great introduction to the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli (or Grappelly, as they spell it on the disc...for some reason). Some great recordings of Django and Grapelli are on this compilation, including: Honeysuckle Rose, Sweet Georgia Brown, Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away, and a guitar solo "Improvisation No. 2." Half of the songs are originals by Reinhard and Grapelli, and the rest are standards. This music is a legendary part of jazz history, and the collection comprises 20 great tracks that are great for a beginning listener or an old fan. I have loved this music for years, and didn't have any of their recordings. I picked this up second hand and it is a great compilation. I would recommend picking this up if you don't have much (or any) Django or Grappelli, it's hard to find a compilation that's as comprehensive as this, for the price.

What can be said about Django that has not already been said? He is unique, no one even comes close. The Rosenberg Trio is about the only other group that even sounds somewhat the same and they don't have Stephan Grapelli. There is a kind of vibrato at the end of many of Django's notes that is totally unique. And he bends the strings with such perfection. Wish he were recording on current technology. Some of the cuts sound good while other show their age, but throughout Django and Stephan are fantastic.

The Quintette (not Quintet) of the Hot Club of France, or QHCF, recorded a total of 15 sides for Decca in London in January and August 1938 and August 1939, and guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelly recorded eight duets in February and September 1938. They were separated by the onset of war and but for a brief reunion in 1946 that was the end of their professional association.

This compilation (which has been in the catalogue for 20 years) contains all of the QHCF's London recordings but for "The Flat Foot Floogie" (which was coupled with "The Lambeth Walk") and "Why Shouldn't I Care?" (which was issued only in Argentina). As to the duets, three have been omitted, but two of the 1946 titles are included.

I mention that detail because by today's standards 20 tracks with a running time of just under 57 minutes is not full measure. This is wonderful timeless jazz which has never been surpassed, but I would like to see it remastered to give us the 1938/39 London sessions in full, preferably in chronological order.

If you're into Django, you know what to expect. If you don't know much about him, this is a good album to start with. More than many others out there, the music on this one, "Souvenirs," hasn't been smothered by noise-reduction technique. There is a little -- a little -- surface noise, but that little bit is necessary to allow each note enough air to breathe. Very important if you want the nuance infused in his play. I give it four stars because they could have put more songs on this album, but still, the sonic quality is solid.