RICHARD GALLIANO - French Touch [1999]

Tango accordion has a clear icon in the late Astor Piazzolla, but these days Richard Galliano is making a strong case for being the premier jazz accordionist. He's as lyrical as one needs, swings like mad, or brings tempos down to a sensual jog with passion and soul. When called upon, he can play a gut-wrenching tango or two himself. For this effort he's joined by two different crack rhythm sections, the brilliant Jean-François Jenny-Clark and Daniel Humair (seven tracks), or the slightly cut below Remi Vignolo and Andre Ceccarelli (four tracks), bass and drums respectively. It's not hard to hear a distinctly French but improvisationally Americanized sound. The lone standard, "You Must Believe in Spring," is one of many waltzes, but this one jumps from second to fifth gear, Galliano rapidly flying through the changes. The title track is also quick, with "Augusta" more a sprightly 3/4, while "L'Envers du Décor" is an easier modal three beat. Nods to Brazilian Hermeto Pascoal are heard on his composition "Bébé" and the mallets on drums and heavy conga beat-based fanfare and theme of "Passarinho." Galliano plays his accordion and whistles in unison on both tracks. Soprano saxophonist Michel Portal swings with Galliano, Humair, and Clark on the 6/8 "J.F.," while Clark duets with Galliano on "Sanguine," which is far from bloody, more like sweet sangria. "Heavy Tango" is as it is titled -- hard-driving and no holds barred -- and there's a slow samba, "Sanfona," one of nine of Galliano's written works. Even when the swing is light, as on "Caruso," Galliano's button pushing is active, pulsing, and popping. There's much to like on this, Galliano's most engaging CD. Perhaps some will beg for more variation, like the Portal cut. But these rhythm sections, especially Europe's finest Clark and Humair, push Galliano's artistry to greater heights, providing the listener with a unique experience in a jazz and even more so in a world music context. Highly recommended. by William Ruhlmann   
Tracklist:
1 Bébé 3:22
Hermeto Pascoal
2 A French Touch 3:08
Richard Galliano
3 J.F. 6:31
Richard Galliano
4 Caruso 3:33
Lucio Dalla
5 Heavy Tango 4:04
Richard Galliano
6 Sanguine 3:51
Richard Galliano
7 Augusta 5:21
Richard Galliano
8 You Must Believe in Spring 4:19
Alan Bergman / Marilyn Bergman / Jacques Demy / Michel Legrand
9 Passarinho 2:25
Richard Galliano / Dudu Tucci
10 Sanfona 3:09
Richard Galliano / Egberto Gismonti
11 L 'Envers du Décor 4:24
Richard Galliano
12 Tacot Blues 3:25
Richard Galliano / Daniel Humair
Credits
Accordion – Richard Galliano
Acoustic Guitar – Jean-Marie Ecay (tracks: 1, 10)
Double Bass – Jean-François Jenny Clark (tracks: 2 to 4, 6, 7, 11, 12),
                     –  Rémi Vignolo (tracks: 1, 5, 8, 10)
Drums – André Ceccarelli (tracks: 1, 5, 8, 10), Daniel Humair (tracks: 2 to 4, 7, 9, 11, 12)

RICHARD GALLIANO - French Touch 

[1999] Dreyfus Jazz / CBR320k / scans

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