Search - Django Reinhardt :: Quadromania

Not Much "Gypsy Jazz"

Johnny Hodges | Clark Fork, ID United States | 12/18/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Musical content: 4 stars

Sound Quality: 4 stars

Packaging: 2 stars

Bang for the buck: 4 stars



If you're like me, you think of Django Reinhardt accompanied by high speed gypsy-sounding melodies joined by Stephan Grappelli on violin and other string instruments. Only 6 of the tracks here (on CD1) are accompanied by Grappelli. Rather, most of the cuts are from the early 40's after the Django and Stephan parted ways. On most of the tunes (about an even mix of standards and originals) Django is leading bands, Hot Club of France & Django's Music, most nearly always including Alix Combelle playing clarinet and/or alto and/or tenor sax, along with a bassist, drummer, and varying other horns (but nearly always featuring a lead on clarinet). A kind of refined but swinging European elegance with Django's guitar way up front and grounding the mid-tempo rhythm with his relentless chugging. The variety, despite several repeated tunes, makes this an upbeat and engaging listen through all 4 CDs. Standouts include: 2 versions of the old traditional "Les Yeux Noirs" (one small, one large group), 2 nifty versions of "Begin the Beguine", and a "Festival Swing" with 4 bands, 25 musicians all hewing to the Django beat.



Sound quality is above average for these Quadromania disks. Noise-free with good midrange sound and a clarity that allows each instrument to be heard. There's no discernable reverb, but high frequency response is poor and that dimishes the scintillation of Django's guitar and the snap of the horn sections.



The otherwise well designed CD case fails because the teeth that should hold the disks let go during travelling or handling, and are easily broken. The documentation gives recording dates and musician names for each track, but no biographical or other information.

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