Customer Reviews

Swing 39: Jazz in Paris

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Any fan of Django will enjoy this CD. It is a part of Verve's "Jazz in Paris" collection, recorded in 1939 in Paris.

Some of the tracks are repeated which is interesting because it shows how Django and Grappelli can improvise and never play the same way twice.

This album is quite simply infectious. Once you turn it on, you can't turn it off.

The Amazon reviewer calls some of the tracks "light-hearted swing" and they hit the nail on the head. The all string rhythm section (two guitars, double bass) creates a very relaxed and "light-hearted" mood over which Django and Stephane Grappelli play.

Then there is Django. His playing is inspired throughout, and with his virtuoso technique he creates simply magical solos. His solos range from joyous swing to extremely beautiful and expressive (check out "Time on my Hands"). Grappelli plays excellently as well, creating beautiful solos. Also, his playing perfectly complements Django. Actually, the entire band has terrific chemistry.

Overall, a great album and a great introduction to Django. All the titles are good. One of the most amazing things about this album is how individual each alternate take is (ex. each of the 3 versions of "Tea for Two" are different; and excellent). So don't skip over the alternate tracks!

Django Reinhardt's "Swing 39" is a gem. The music is joyous. "Jeeper Creepers," "Swing 39," and "Japanese Sandman" are infectious. This recording, as well as the soundtrack to Allen's "Sweet and Lowdown" and Bunny Berigan's "A Melody From the Sky" are among my favorites to slip in the player while I read or putter around the house. Couldn't recommend this more.

If you loved the gypsy music in 'Chocolat' you must hear this artist. Wonderful music and several examples of amazing tracks of a song repeated but sounding nothing like the previous track. Such a gem, and to think I almost didn't discover Reinhardt.