1961 - Djangology

recorded in 1949, released in 1961

WHAT NYMITH SAYS;

There are several good reasons to listen to Django Reinhardt (1910-1953). For one thing, it automatically raises your Cool factor. Belgian. Romani. Jazz guitarist. Belgians are cool. A Belgian invented the saxophone. Audrey Hepburn was born there (to say nothing of Magritte and Jacques Brel). However, Reinhardt's in a class of his own. At eighteen, he was caught in a housefire and as a result his right leg was paralysed as were two fingers on his left hand. He then relearned the guitar and was at the forefront of the entire gypsy jazz movement. It's impossible not to admire that and the resulting music was awesome - playful and swinging, yet also expressive and precise. If you're looking for an introduction, Djangology is your best bet.

The original came out in 1961 with 12 tracks, but it has since been expanded and reissued in a splendid Bluebird edition. The recordings were made in Rome in 1949 with Stéphane Grappelli on violin and a trio of Italians providing the rhythm section (piano, bass and snare drum). Grappelli is every bit as important to the sound as Reinhardt - he's everything you'd want from a jazz violinist: vibrant, moody and European. Unlike with Stuff Smith, you don't have to worry a singer's going to appear and ruin it, as the entire album is instrumental. Reinhardt and Grappelli had together created the Quintette du Hot Club de France in 1934 and were acclaimed for their originality; tragically, the Djangology sessions would be their final collaboration, as Reinhardt died at 43 of a brain hemorrhage.

With the historical background in place you'll find that cultivating an appreciation of Django Reinhardt is easy. It's jaunty music for housecleaning and sophisticated listening in the evening - best of both worlds. The songs will start to blur in the second half (a common failing when you compile 23 tracks on one CD so I'd advise you to find a likely halfway point and tackle the second half with fresh ears) but that's the only real criticism this album can receive. As for the songs themselves, highlights and lowlights are immaterial. I gravitate to the faster numbers such as 'Minor Swing,' 'I Saw Stars' and 'Brick Top.' There's a real sense of fun to proceedings and the band cooks. The slow songs tend to sound like particularly tasteful Hollywood tunes, which isn't a bad thing, but is a little closer to the "average" sounds of the 40s. However, such songs are classy and emotive so I'd never call them filler. It really is just a wonderful CD to have in your collection.

WHAT TICHARU SAYS;

The recording quality has a few limitations, not enough to put me off. The guitar is right up front, it's like being surrounded by a little gypsy band enjoying a glass of wine or a very thick cup of late night coffee. Cold coffee anyone? In 65 years this record is still hot!