STÉPHANE GRAPPELLI - Improvisations (1956-2000) Jazz In Paris 42 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is the first of Stephane Grappelli's sessions as a leader during the 1950s to be issued on CD, which is rather surprising given the availability of his work from the last two decades of his life. Grappelli is heard exclusively in a quartet with pianist Maurice Vander, bassist Pierre Michelot, and drummer Baptiste Reilles, except for two takes of "Someone to Watch Over Me," when Vander makes an ill-advised switch to harpsichord. The violinist is not nearly as aggressive as he would become in the decades to follow, seemingly concentrating more on achieving a beautiful tone than dazzling listeners with his considerable abilities as an improviser. Most of the material recorded during these three dates remained in his repertoire for the remainder of his career; with up-tempo selections like "The Lady Is a Tramp" and "'S Wonderful" getting the nod over most of the ballad interpretations. One surprise is the inclusion of Alec Wilder's "I'll Be Around" (listed as previously unreleased but it appeared on a later Barclay LP following the original issue); this may be Grappelli's only recording of this lovely standard. Although this isn't an essential CD for swing fans, the reappearance of this once hard to find music will be welcomed by fans of Stephane Grappelli. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     The Lady Is a Tramp 3:05
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
2     Fascinating Rhythm 2:55
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
3     Dans la Vie 3:54
Marcel Louiguy
4     Cheek to Cheek 3:10
Irving Berlin
5     A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square 3:11
Eric Maschwitz / Manning Sherwin
6     Taking a Chance on Love 3:02
Vernon Duke / Ted Fetter / John Latouche
7     'S Wonderful 2:30
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
8     Someone to Watch over Me 2:58
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
9     If I Had You 3:20
Jimmy Campbell / Reginald Connelly / Ted Shapiro
10     Body and Soul 2:35
Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
11     I Want to Be Happy 2:14
Irving Caesar / Vincent Youmans
12     She's Funny That Way 2:29
Neil Moret (Chas. N. Daniels) / Richard A. Whiting
13     Time After Time 2:44
Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
14     Just One of Those Things 3:30
Cole Porter
15     Slow en Ré Majeur 4:01
Alec Wilder
16     Taking a Chance on Love 3:01
Vernon Duke / Ted Fetter / John Latouche
17     Someone to Watch over Me 2:56
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
Credits :
Double Bass – Pierre Michelot
Drums – Baptiste "Mac Kac" Reilles
Piano, Harpsichord – Maurice Vander
Violin – Stéphane Grappelli
Nota :
Recorded 1956 in Paris: on February 6 (2, 3, 7, 13, 14), February 14 (1, 4, 6, 8, 12, 15, 16, 17) and April 10 (5, 9, 10, 11)
Reissue of the Barclay LP 84034
Tracks 15-17 previously unreleased