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Best of
Django Reinhardt
Best of
Genres: International Music, Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (18) - Disc #1

Django Reinhardt was both the first great jazz-guitar soloist and the first European jazz musician to have a significant influence on American musicians. Just as Earl Hines had found a way to transfer Louis Armstrong's ass...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Django Reinhardt
Title: Best of
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Blue Note Records
Original Release Date: 3/19/1996
Release Date: 3/19/1996
Genres: International Music, Jazz, Pop
Styles: Europe, Eastern Europe, Swing Jazz, European Jazz
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 724383713820, 724383713851

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Django Reinhardt was both the first great jazz-guitar soloist and the first European jazz musician to have a significant influence on American musicians. Just as Earl Hines had found a way to transfer Louis Armstrong's assertive solo style to the piano, Reinhardt did it with the acoustic guitar, mixing inventive melodic improvisation with a decorative gypsy-guitar idiom and vigorous rhythm. He did it most often with the Hot Club of France, a quintet including violinist Stephane Grappelli, two rhythm guitarists, and a bassist that created its own distinctive style, a lightly propulsive mix that was an ideal setting for Django's mix of drive, invention, and charm. The recordings here range from 1936 to 1948 and showcase Reinhardt with the Hot Club, clarinetist Hubert Rostaing, and trumpeter Rex Stewart. Included is a brilliant solo performance of his "Naguine." It's an excellent introduction to one of the most original voices in jazz of the period, to a fine composer as well as a unique guitarist. --Stuart Broomer

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CD Reviews

An excellent introduction to a true genius
07/20/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is probably the best way to discover the music of Django Reinhardt. Though the recordings are from the '30s, they are cleaned up nicely by Blue Note's superb remastering. Most of the tunes were written or co-written by Django, and they showcase the brilliant playing of both Django and violinist Stephane Grappelli. Django was not only an amazing soloist, but an incredible rhythm player. Listen to his comping around Grappelli and the horns. He had so much energy his acoustic guitar cut through the rest of the band. Like most musical geniuses, he made it sound natural and effortless. I will repeat what I have stated elsewhere: Django is to '30s jazz guitar what Jimi Hendrix is to '60s rock guitar, a diamond-in-the-rough genius in a class all by himself. There have been none like him, before or since. This CD is an essential part of any jazz collection."
Masterful Fun
David Bradley | Sterling, VA USA | 01/08/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"If I could change one piece of the general perception of Django Reinhardt, it would be the "Jazz Master" label, which implies to too many people that this is stuffy concert hall music.Reinhardt was thE jazz guitar master, but his records are damn good fun. Like all the best jazz, it's overflowing with emotion but, more often than not, that emotion is witty, boisterous excitement.Don't limit yourself to just this Reinhardt CD. Considering the point in history when he was at his artistic peak, his music was generally well recorded, and several producers/engineers/labels have made great efforts to clean up the sound. If nothing else, check out the 5-CD "box set" (not really a box, but 5 great CDs shrinkwrapped together). While my Reinhardt collection is hardly complete, I have yet to come across a less-than-excellent recording of this wonderful music."
Thanks to Woody
Patricia Cordes | cincinnati, oh | 01/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"After seeing Woody Allen's *Sweet and Lowdown* I went in search of Django Reinhardt (I didn't really believe a name like that could exist)and received this wonderful surprise. The sounds of the 20's and 30's have never sounded better! An added pleasure is the pleasure of Stephane Grappelli ... it just doesn't get better than this."