VARIOUS ARTISTS
Gypsy Swing - The Nashville Tribute To Django Reinhardt (CMH)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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One of the words often attached to memorable artists (besides memorable, of course) is "incomparable." Then we go out and find something to compare them to. That's why writing about music, as they say, is like dancing about architecture. This is harder than it looks folks. Step away from the word processor before someone gets hurt.

I'm as likely as anyone to judge Django Reinhardt as one of those "incomparable" artists. Robbed of the use of two fingers on his left hand by a childhood accident, the French guitarist went on to redefine the vocabulary of his instrument in the 1930s and 40s, composing and performing some of the finest small group swing of the era, infused with the feel of his Gypsy heritage. Now I've got to go and compare the efforts of the Nashville studio crew that compiled this tribute album to the master, and you know, they don't suffer much in the process. The various guitarists, violinists and others on the album do a creditable job of recreating the style of Reinhardt and the Hot Club of Paris combos he organized with Stephane Grappelli. In fact, although I treasure the Django sides I have and recommend that everyone add some to their collection, many of those recordings were made 60 and 70 years ago, and contemporary listeners are sometimes put off by the resulting compromises in reproduction. If you're among those that has bypassed the music of Django Reinhardt because it's just no fun to listen to those old lo-fi renditions, this might be the best introduction to his artistry available to you. But don't stop here. As good as this is, you owe it to yourself to examine the source. Then you can put this one back in for a fine combination of great music, great pickers and great sound.

Track List:

Tiger Rag * Swing 39 * Shine * Nuages * Sweet Georgia Brown * I'll See You In My Dreams * Swing 42 * Minor Swing * Django's Castle * The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise * Tears * Limehouse Blues * Avalon

[Pick this up at www.americanamusicplace.com.]

© 2003 - Shaun Dale