DJANGO REINHARDT - NuagesJAZZ IMAGES 38015
Django Reinhardt ( el gtr), Maurice Vander, Martial Solal (p), Hubert Rostaing (cl), Eugene Vees, Joseph Reinhardt (gtr), Fats Sadi (vib), Emmanuel Soudieux, Pierre Michelot (b), Andre Jourdan, Pierre Lemarchand (d)
The first eight tracks here are from a ten inch LP produced by Norman Granz of Verve, USA and was intended as the first in a series of albums for the label. But Reinhardt died suddenly soon after the session on 16 May 1953 aged just 43. The music here is lively, upbeat and rather more modern in interpretation than was usual for Django. These tracks are a long way from the Quintet of the Hot Club of France with Grappelli in the 1930s and ‘40s. Django is heard playing electric guitar (sacrilege to many of his followers) and getting a big, fat juicy tone out of the instrument. He loved playing it and was pleased to be able to get the volume he’d never been able to get on acoustic guitar. Grappelli claimed that his old partner could not get the same dynamic range on electric and he was never a good electric guitarist. Actually the evidence on this record suggests that Grappelli was wrong; Django swings easily, has a good clear sound and all his choruses are inventive. He is also well supported by a sterling rhythm section featuring major bassist Pierre Michelot who, in a few short years would be backing the likes of Bud Powell and Dexter Gordon.
The final four tracks on this set are from April 1953 and were the guitarist’s very last recordings. They are very good with Django again on top form, relishing his electric instrument and producing a bluesy, personal sound. It isn’t Charlie Christian but very much a unique, electrified Django! Fats Sadi produces strong vibes solos and there is good support from bass and drums.
This is late Django that is different and well worth acquiring.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
Django Reinhardt ( el gtr), Maurice Vander, Martial Solal (p), Hubert Rostaing (cl), Eugene Vees, Joseph Reinhardt (gtr), Fats Sadi (vib), Emmanuel Soudieux, Pierre Michelot (b), Andre Jourdan, Pierre Lemarchand (d)
The first eight tracks here are from a ten inch LP produced by Norman Granz of Verve, USA and was intended as the first in a series of albums for the label. But Reinhardt died suddenly soon after the session on 16 May 1953 aged just 43. The music here is lively, upbeat and rather more modern in interpretation than was usual for Django. These tracks are a long way from the Quintet of the Hot Club of France with Grappelli in the 1930s and ‘40s. Django is heard playing electric guitar (sacrilege to many of his followers) and getting a big, fat juicy tone out of the instrument. He loved playing it and was pleased to be able to get the volume he’d never been able to get on acoustic guitar. Grappelli claimed that his old partner could not get the same dynamic range on electric and he was never a good electric guitarist. Actually the evidence on this record suggests that Grappelli was wrong; Django swings easily, has a good clear sound and all his choruses are inventive. He is also well supported by a sterling rhythm section featuring major bassist Pierre Michelot who, in a few short years would be backing the likes of Bud Powell and Dexter Gordon.
The final four tracks on this set are from April 1953 and were the guitarist’s very last recordings. They are very good with Django again on top form, relishing his electric instrument and producing a bluesy, personal sound. It isn’t Charlie Christian but very much a unique, electrified Django! Fats Sadi produces strong vibes solos and there is good support from bass and drums.
This is late Django that is different and well worth acquiring.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
