Spirit of Django

Martin Taylor | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 31, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Linn Records
• ASIN: B00000399O
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,042 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Chez Fernand

2. Minor Swing

3. Night and Day

4. Nuages

5. James

6. Double Top

7. Django's Dream

8. Swing '42

9. Oh, Lady Be Good

10. Honeysuckle Rose

11. Johnny and Mary

Editorial Reviews

Classical Guitar Magazine

"There is a touch of genius in Martin Taylor's playing."

"THE acoustic guitarist of his generation."

"Europe's finest guitarist."

Product Description

Virtuoso guitarist Martin Taylor first came to prominence in the late 1970s through his collaborations with legendary violinist Stephane Grappelli. Now, he tours the world's concert halls with his dazzling live performances. Although inspired initially by Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, it was to be piano players, most notably Art Tatum and Bill Evans, who caught his imagination and set him on the path of developing his own individual style of solo playing!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars it's all that!, September 18, 2003

By 

Frank Brown "amusia" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spirit of Django (Audio CD)

Okay, I don't usually do this, but I feel compelled by the comments of grwlt from Jamaica Plains. My advice to the reader: ignore his remarks, they are way off base! The five-star reviewers have got it right.

I can't guarantee you will like this. In fact, if you have preconceived notions of what it "should" sound like, you will likely be disappointed (at first), as I was. I was expecting something much more like Django, and what a surprise it's different! But while it has a more contempory "style" it is nevertheless truly the "spirit" of Django. By that I mean, well, the music is alive with that intangible quality that somehow sounds fresh even after many many listens. A quality that at first makes you like it more and more with each listen, until finally, when you have it practically memorized, it's like a dear old friend that you know and love.

Personally, I like expanding my musical horizons and dream of having some of the BEST music from a wide variety of musical styles: folk, acoustic, blues, jazz, classical, hawaiian, puruvian, african, irish, yada yada yada. And I count this CD as one moving me toward that goal. So, maybe it's your style, maybe it isn't, but it is DEFINITELY GREAT MUSIC!

Why not give it a try. Drop your preconceptions and try ignoring it while playing it in the background say seven times. I'm betting that by the seventh playing, you'll be listening with a smile on your face. Enjoy!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Tail's Wagging!, December 20, 2001

By 

Chris Schwamb (Medford, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spirit of Django (Audio CD)

I am hard-pressed to come up with the proper superlatives to describe my love of this disk. The musicianship and material does not come any finer in this world. The audio quality is great in spite of the fact that the tracks were recorded live in concert. I can only wish that I was at one of those concert dates.

When was the last time you heard an accordian player that got you excited? For me, never, until I heard Jack Emblow on this disk and others. Dave O'Higgins tenor and soprano sax playing is world class.

It's too bad I can only give this one five stars. It deserves more.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars On Autopilot, October 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Spirit of Django (Audio CD)

Martin Taylor is the finest jazz guitarist in the world today. Its a shame that he has never achieved the commercial success that he merits. This disk is another great example of his art but pales into insignificance with his solo work where he exhibits stunning skill and originality. Both live and on disk I get the feeling that this group exists to bring in the money. True, the musicianship is first class and the enthusiasm that Martin and his group show in live performance is commendable. However, I still feel that he is largely going through the motions and crowd pleasing most of the time.

Now signed to Sony, I hope that he finally gets the recognition he deserves in the US where I guess it really counts. Over here in the UK he has a slid fan bass who return time after time to watch his live performances. His soon to be released first Sony Album benefits from a solid choice of sidemen, brilliant production and engineering and a suprisingly different (if perhaps somewhat cynically over commercial) choice of material. It lacks the cutting edge of his better work but hey, come on the guy is the best in the business, works hard and gives his all every time. So come on you lot over there, give this guy a break, buy his new CD, this album, the reset of his Linn back catalogue (particularly Artistry) as well. You guys are about to discover Martin Taylor.