Customer Reviews

Together at Last

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

 

 

I've been a big fan of both Stephane Grappelli and Vassar Clements for years, and have seen them both play live, and so I was quite excited to find that they had recorded an album together. While waiting for it to be delivered, I imagined Grappelli's virtuoso runs in the upper register soaring above Clements' hot rhythmic chording and tight harmonies. Unfortunately, I reluctantly have to say that this CD was somewhat of a disappointment. The two great musicians rarely play together on the same song for very long, and in any case both of them are generally forced to play "second fiddle" to the pedal steel (Doug Jerrigan), amplified guitar (Martin Taylor), electric guitar (Davis Causey), and drums (Kenny Malone). It's as if the greatest jazz violinist and the greatest country/bluegrass fiddler were brought together for a historic recording, and then just tossed in here and there almost as an afterthought. Still, I have to give at least three stars despite all of this, because any recording with two musicians such as Grappelli and Clements is bound to have at least a few special moments, and even this one does have have a few. But it could have been so much more....

Too often the drummer works against Grappelli's fluid sense of swing and drags the group into a "Cotton-Eyed Joe" groove. Still, it's Steph and Vassar, so one bright shining star for each of the masters.

This CD swings from the first cut to the last. The solos between Vassar Clements and Stephan Grappelli are different styles but compliment each other. Guitarist Martin Taylor and Pedal Steel Guitarist Doug Jernigan really work together well on tunes like "Bluesette". I believe this album is one of a kind with the instrumentation used. It is my understanding most of the album cuts, the arrangements and the other players on the album were dictated by Mr. Grappelli and Mr. Clements. It is truly a CD from the artists creativity and not necessarily the demands of the producers.

Grappelli's diversity is amazing and Vassar Clements is always great. What an interesting and unique pairing for this album.

It has been a long time since I heard this - I can't wait to hear it again.