A collection of some late performances by the duo Django Reinhardt-Stephan Grappelli, practically the most illustrious representatives of the European jazz scene of the 1930s and 1940s. The recordings represent a selection of 23 tracks out of about 50 recorded in Rome in the winter of 1949 with an Italian rhythm section. The last time the two recorded together before Reinhardt's death in 1953.

The collection includes many of Reinhardt's most representative pieces, such as Minor Swing, Daphne, Djangology, Swing 42, Swing Guitars and serves as an excellent introduction to this musician's work. His version of Honeysuckle Rose is also noteworthy, and the improvisation on Tchaikovsky's "Pathetique" is interesting. In particular, the trained ear can notice that the guitarist's style has changed a bit after coming into contact with Bebop influences during his trip to the United States. The recording quality is decent, especially when compared to the duo's early recordings in the 1930s.

All in all, this is one of the best collections on a single CD that I've had the chance to listen to, and I recommend it if you don't yet have anything by Django and have the urge to listen to him. Les Paul called him the best guitarist in the world, perhaps rightly so. Let's add the romantic story of the caravan fire that robbed him of the use of two fingers; we certainly have enough material to build a mythology (and a moral for the guitarist: the sound is in the head, not in the fingers...).

Jazz Manouche is a genre still alive today through guitarists who may be little known to the general public, such as Lagrene Birelli, Angelo De Barre, Maurizio Geri, and groups like the Rosenberg Trio. Reinhardt may not have been a revolutionary musician like Duke Ellington or Charlie Parker, but his influence has undoubtedly lasted over time.

Tracklist

01   I Saw Stars (03:30)

02   After You've Gone (03:00)

03   Heavy Artillery (Artillerie lourde) (03:40)

04   Beyond the Sea (La mer) (04:16)

05   Minor Swing (02:37)

06   Menilmontant (03:03)

07   Brick Top (03:44)

08   Swing Guitars (02:54)

09   All the Things You Are (02:54)

10   Daphne (02:26)

11   (It's Only a) Paper Moon (02:51)

12   Improvisation on Tchaikovsky's Pathetique (Andante) (03:44)

13   The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise (02:52)

14   Djangology (02:46)

15   Où es-tu, mon amour? (Where Are You, My Love?) (03:22)

16   Marie (02:54)

17   I Surrender, Dear (03:45)

18   Hallelujah (03:09)

19   Swing 42 (02:26)

20   I'll Never Be the Same (04:02)

21   Honeysuckle Rose (03:59)

22   Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?) (03:11)

23   I Got Rhythm (02:44)

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