Customer Reviews

Stephane Grappelli in New Orleans

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

 

 

I never got to see Stephane Grappelli in person, so this is one DVD that I will always treasure. Taped in 1989 (or perhaps a few years earlier, judging from the hairstyles and clothing) this is a must have for any jazz violin enthusiast. Grappelli is around 80 at the time but still playing with as much inspiration, passion, and genius as ever. The video on this DVD is professionally recorded and edited, and several camera angles are used to reinforce the "live" feel of the performance. Performing with Grappelli are guitarists Martin Taylor and Marc Fosset and bassist Patrice Caratini, all quite accomplished jazz musicians on their own who each take their turn in the spotlight. The only weak part of the performance in my opinion was Fosset's outburst of "scat" accompanying one of his guitar solos. That, along with the inferior video (by today's standards) from the 80s gives it a 4 star rating rather than a 5. Overall though, this is an excellent representation of Grappelli's music and musicianship, and since his passing in 1997 it's one of the only videos of him made available, although I've noticed that another DVD on his life in jazz is forthcoming this summer. I'll review that one as soon as I snatch it up.

I was at the live performance of this concert when it was taped in N.O. at the Monteleone Hotel. The show was fantastic! I had front table seats.... it was filmed in a bar. This DVD is a compilation of two sets Grappelli performed that night. He was superb...so is this DVD.

if you are a fan or student of jazz, guitar, violin, or you simply love beautiful music of any genre -- what are you waiting for?

DVD video/audio quality is excellent, and the music is amazing -- intimately and professionally recorded and videotaped at a small New Orleans club. Although the final credits run "Copyright 1989," I'd suspect the performance is from the early 1980s, judging from youthful appearance of Grappelli's wonderful backing musicians (identical quartet lineup of Taylor & Fosset, guitar & Caratini, bass also plays on Grappelli's 1983 Live at the Cambridge Folk Festival CD, with many of the same songs), and from the musicians'/audience's hairstyles & clothes.

Martin Taylor takes a powerhouse guitar lead on "Love for Sale", and Marc Fosset's guitar/vocalizing is featured on "After You've Gone", but all four musicians get their chance to 'shine' throughout. Stephane sits out to let Patrice Caratini and Marc Fossett duet on Chick Corea's "Armando's Rhumba", and Taylor plays "Ol' Man River" spotlit & alone. Otherwise, it's Grappelli and his violin front and center.

The DVD back liner quote from Stephane is "I thank God for sending jazz to this earth." Thank you too, Monsieur Grappelli, for inspiring us. We remember you.

(further essential viewing includes the July 7, 1982 Live in San Francisco performance, and the special edition 2-DVD set Stephane Grappelli: A Life in the Jazz Century which contains all available surviving footage with Django Reinhardt.)

You want anything with this guy, nobody plays the violin better...

Check out the Bireli Lagrene gypsy project cds, more great swing !

I have been a fan of Stephane Grappelli for almost 30 years. OK, not a "fanatic," but someone who appreciates the master's sense of joy and unparalleled artistry on the jazz violin. I was excited to find the listing for "... in New Orleans" on Amazon and quickly added it to my wish list. I even feigned surprise when it arrived in time for my birthday.

I should have left it at that. This DVD is an "amateur night" production. The audio is technically OK, but the video is uninspired, at best. If you really like this music, save yourself some grief and buy a couple more CDs instead. You'll thank me, and Stephane Grappelli, for it.