At the end of their tour European tour -- and the triumphant concert in Rome documented on Heavy 'n Jazz -- Jaco Pastorius, guitarist Bireli Lagrene, and percussionist Serge Bringolf decided to leave the continent with at last one studio recording under their belt. The result is Stuttgart Aria. With the addition of three additional musicians -- Jan Janke on synths and keyboards, Peter Lubke on drums, and keyboardist Vladislav Sendecki (the keyboardists never played at the same time) -- the date went off as a series of formatted tunes with extended improvisations anchoring them to the album. While the styles here vary wildly; they are all rooted deeply in the jazz fusion and R&B worlds. To be fair, the trio of Lagrene, Pastorius, and Bringolf could have executed these songs very well -- especially since one of them was "Donna Lee," Pastorius' transcription of the Charlie Parker bebop classic that he recorded on his own first solo album for Columbia. The keyboards seem to get in the way, and sound stilted based against the loose groove created by the pair of string players. And then there's the matter of Pastorius' "singing" on the title track, which is a meld of James Brown funk, high-tech rock, and jazz. It's one long riff; Lagrene gets to riff on forever as Pastorius indulges his weak voice and awful lyrics ("people got to be free/give 'em a shot of R&B"), quoting from Sly Stone and any other tune he can think of. It just comes off as indulgent as hell without any substance other than Lagrene's playing to hold it in place. But there are astonishing moments as well, when Pastorius drives a dub-riddled "Jaco's Reggae" into the stratosphere with a meld of chordal and scalar riffs that never, ever sacrifice the track's rhythm for the sake of improvisation. Lagrene's chunky, knotty chords give it a deeper feel, lending the bottom a wide base. There is also a gorgeous performance of "Teresa" with the single weepiest bassline Pastorius ever recorded. The set ends with a serious lyrical, lush, and moving version of Henry Mancini's "Days of Wine and Roses" that pairs Lagrene and Pastorius together in a silky weave of emotion and musical virtuosity, exchanging harmonics and chromatic melody in a painterly fashion. This disc is far from perfect, and must have been a bit of a drag to even make ever such a high-energy tour, but it's not without merit -- especially for serious fans of the two principals. -> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <- Tracklist : 1. American boy (4:40) Jan Jankeje / Biréli Lagrène / Jaco Pastorius / Vladislav Sendecki 2. Donna lee (4:40) Charlie Parker 3. Stuttgart Aria 1 (7:36) Jan Jankeje / Biréli Lagrène / Jaco Pastorius / Vladislav Sendecki 4. Jaco reggae (5:58) Jan Jankeje 5. The chicken (5:47) Pee Wee Ellis 6. Teresa (8:51) Jaco Pastorius 7. Stuttgart aria Nº2 (10:04) Jan Jankeje / Biréli Lagrène / Jaco Pastorius / Vladislav Sendecki 8. The days of wine and roses (6:26) Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer Credits : Backing Vocals, Bass [Synthesizer] – Jan Jankeje (tracks: 6, 8) Drums – Peter Lübke Electric Bass [Fender 86], Piano, Vocals – Jaco Pastorius Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals – Bireli Lagrene Keyboards, Synthesizer – Vladislaw Sendecki Percussion, Backing Vocals – Serge Bringolf
The career of Bireli Lagrene began at the tender age of 11, when he completed an astonishing album called "Routes to Django." This record saw the young guitarist interpreting the songs of the legendary Django Reinhardt, a task most musicians would find daunting, but one which Lagrene took to like a duck to water. Subsequent releases allowed him to carve out his own niche in the music world, while still tipping his hat to Reinhardt by incorporating many similar techniques into his playing style. This release features Lagrene's "Gipsy Project" in full swing at the Vienne Jazz Festival in France, where an expectant crowd gathers to bask in the glory of his exquisite tunes. Special guests come thick and fast throughout, with Richard Galliano, Dorado Schmitt, and Django Reinhardt's grandson, David Reinhardt, all adding to the occasion. Tracklist : 1 Coquette 2:32 Written-By – Carmen Lombardo, Gus Kahn, John W. Green 2 Blues Clair 2:58 Written-By – Django Reinhardt 3 Embraceable You 4:25 Written-By – Ira Gershwin - George Gershwin 4 Troublant Bolero 4:01 Written-By – Django Reinhardt, Jacques Larue 5 What Is This Thing Called Love 3:08 Written-By – Cole Porter 6 When Day Is Done 3:58 Written-By – Joe Desylva, Robert Katscher 7 Djangology 4:30 Written-By – Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli 8 Si Tu Savais 3:44 Written-By – André Salvet, Georges Ulmer, Marc Anthony 9 Festival 48 3:33 Written-By – Django Reinhardt 10 Flobi 3:00 11 Sweet Georgia Brown 2:42 Written-By – Ben Bernie, Kenneth Casey, Maceo Pinkard 12 Viper's Dream 7:04 Written-By – Fletcher Allen 13 Belleville 4:48 Written-By – Django Reinhardt 14 My One And Only Love 4:54 Written-By – Guy B. Wood 15 Dinah 4:47 Written-By – Harris Akst, Joseph Young, Samuel M. Lewis 16 I'll See You In My Dreams 3:56 Written-By – Gus Kahn, Isham Jones 17 Made In France 3:05 Written-By – Biréli Lagrène 18 Nuages 6:15 Written-By – Django Reinhardt, Jacques Larue 19 Tears 3:38 Written-By – Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli 20 Waltz For Nicky 2:35 Written-By – Richard Galliano 21 J'attendrai 6:53 Written-By – Dino Olivieri, Giuseppe Rastelli 22 Them There Eyes 7:28 Written-By – Doris Tauber, Maceo Pinkard, William C. Tracey 23 There Will Never Be Another You 4:59 Written-By – Harry Warren, Mack Gordon 24 Les Yeux Noirs 7:56 Arranged By – Django Reinhardt Traditional 25 I Can't Give You Anything But Love 5:12 Written-By – Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh 26 Vienne Song (Solo) 4:40 Written-By – Biréli Lagrène 27 I've Found A New Baby 5:50 Written-By – Jack Palmer, Spencer Williams 28 Night And Day 3:03 Written-By – Cole Porter 29 Swing Gitan 3:03 Arranged By – Biréli Lagrène Traditional. 30 Daphné 4:07 Written-By – Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli 31 Donna Lee 2:41 Written-By – Charlie Parker 32 Minor Swing 8:49 Written-By – Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli – BONUS – 33 Backstage In Vienne 05:25 Film Director – Didier Oustrie, Jean-Charles Vankerkoven 34 Instants Volés 02:56 Film Director – Didier Oustrie, Jean-Charles Vankerkoven 35 Live In Montreux 1981 07:37 Credits Accordion – Richard Galliano Bass – Diego Imbert Guitar – Biréli Lagrène, Angelo Debarre, David Reinhardt, Dorado Schmitt, Hono Winterstein, Richard Chiche, Samson Schmitt, Serge Krief, Stochelo Rosenberg, Sylvain Luc, Tchavolo Schmitt, Thomas Dutronc Violin – Florin Niculescu, Martin Weiss
The occasion for this trio to work together was a 2010 concert that celebrated violinist Jean-Luc Ponty's 50th anniversary as a recording artist. Both the violinist and Stanley Clarke had collaborated before (a previous electric trio set with Al Di Meola, The Rite of Strings was issued in 1995), but neither had collaborated with French jazz guitarist Biréli Lagrène prior to that evening. In playing for a mere 20 minutes, they created the impetus for D-Stringz -- though it took two years for them to clear their schedules and get into a Brussels studio. These ten tunes are an assortment of standards and originals. The album is an acoustic, straight-ahead date that employs flawless swinging bop and post-bop, as well as 21st century takes on gypsy and soul-jazz and funk. John Coltrane's "Blue Train" is offered in cut time. Ponty covers the horn lines while Lagrène plays choppy, meaty chords and Clarke redefines the bass' role in a walking 12-bar blues. Ponty's solo offers the right amount of flash and punch, touching on both gypsy and modal jazz traditions. Lagrène syncopates his butt off in the changes. The reading of Joe Zawinul's Cannonball Adderley vehicle, "Mercy Mercy Mercy," is a showcase for Lagrène's gorgeous chord voicings. Ponty's solo nearly sings, and further, a call-and-response exchange between Clarke and the guitarist -- before the latter's slippery solo -- is gritty and tight. In another Coltrane reference, the reading of Jimmy McHugh's and Harold Adamson's "Too Old to Go Steady" (that the saxophonist rendered so beaut-fully on Ballads in 1963) offers a lovely conversation between the guitarist and violinist, but it's Clarke's counterpoint that steals the show. Given the trio's collective love of Django Reinhardt, it makes sense they would cover his iconic "Nuages." Ponty moves it along the ledge by rendering it contemporary; he provides a simmering bossa lilt in the melody. The bassist's "Bit of Burd" is fleet, driving bebop; everyone is on fire, but Lagrène's arpeggios are on stun. The guitarist's "Strech" binds progressive jazz, modernism, post-bop, and gypsy swing. Ponty's "To and Fro," built on a four-note riff, allows the trio to really stretch out and get their funk on. In the latter, Clarke's bassline is fat, woody, and hard-grooving. The closer, "One Take," is built on a simple two-chord vamp. Loping violin and guitar lines twist, turn, and soar, creating a lithe, breezy, funky feel but Clarke whomps down hard, binding them to the tune's groove. The sound on D-Stringz is warm and bright, but so pristine, it lends an intimate living room feel to the proceedings. All the playing is relaxed, inquisitive and inventive. D-Stringz is the sound of musical invention and delight put on offer directly. It is a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience. -> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <- Tracklist: 1 Stretch 3:30 Composed By – Biréli Lagrène 2 To And Fro 6:15 Composed By – Jean-Luc Ponty 3 Too Young To Go Steady 7:30 Composed By – Jimmy McHugh Lyrics By – Harold Adamson 4 Bit Of Burd 3:29 Composed By – Stanley Clarke 5 Nuages 5:16 Composed By – Django Reinhardt 6 Childhood Memories (Souvenirs D'Enfance) 5:39 Composed By – Jean-Luc Ponty 7 Blue Train 6:17 Composed By – John Coltrane 8 Paradigm Shift 6:14 Composed By – Stanley Clarke 9 Mercy, Mercy, Mercy 6:31 Composed By – Joe Zawinul 10 One Take 4:03 Credits: Acoustic Guitar – Biréli Lagrène Double Bass – Stanley Clarke Percussion – Steve Shehan (tracks: 8) Violin – Jean-Luc Ponty
What started as a project to reunite Coryell with Billy Cobham on drums in order to take a second look at the sound and style of the Coryell's Spaces ended up creating a whole new chapter instead. With Richard Bona on bass and Bireli Lagrene on guitar, these nine songs capture the spirit of that 30-year-old session with new, adventuresome playing and vigor. Coryell takes great pride in the spontaneity of this project -- one day rehearsal, two days recording -- and well he should, since it contains musicians interacting with each other in a loose yet totally on-top-of-their-game manner. Bireli shines on the 9/8 section "Variations on Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," while Bona solos beautifully on "Blues for Django and Stephane." Yet it's ultimately Coryell's and Cobham's show, and their playing throughout is sublime with the on-the-spot recording of "Hong Kong Breeze" -- an off the cuff head arrangement done in one take -- showcasing their two players/one mind interplay. Maybe you can't go home again, but this album clearly proves you can always take your luggage with you and build a whole new house. by Cub Koda
Tracklist:
1. The Dragon Gate (6:30)
2. Hong Kong Breeze (8:25)
3. Spaces Revisited (7:05)
4. Variations On Good-Bye Pork Pie Hat (8:03)
5. Blues For Django And Stephane (5:24)
6. Morning Of The Carnival (7:31)
7. Oleo (5:04)
8. Introduction To 'Ruby' (1:33)
9. Ruby My Dear (4:24)
Total time 53:59
Line-up / Musicians
- Larry Coryell / acoustic & electric guitars, producer
- Biréli Lagrène / guitars
- Richard Bona / bass
- Billy Cobham / drums
Bireli solos first (1 to 3,6,7,9), Larry solos first (4,5), Larry plays melody (9)
Bireli Lagrene's debut on record is extraordinary in a couple of ways. He sounds like an exact duplicate of Django Reinhardt (no easy feat), an accomplishment that is more shocking when one realizes that he was 13 at the time. Already a virtuoso with complete control of his guitar, Lagrene (who like Reinhardt came from a gypsy family) romps through the swing-oriented set with a variety of lesser-known European musicians, including two rhythm guitars, bass, occasional piano, vibes, trumpet, and violin. Performances of such tunes as "All of Me," "I've Found a New Baby," and "My Melancholy Baby" are guaranteed to fool even experts on blindfold tests. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist
1Fiso Place3:44
2Bireli Swing 19795:50
3All of Me3:55
4Tschirglo Waltz1:57
5Latches3:36
6I've Found a New Baby4:05
7My Melancholy Baby4:19
8Bluma3:50
9Bireli Blues 19793:35
10Wave3:49
11Don't Worry 'Bout Me5:22
12Boxer Boogie3:30
13Mirage4:15
Credits:
Double Bass – Jan Jankeje
Guitar – Biréli Lagrène, Gaiti Lagrène, Tschirglo Loeffler
Piano – Joerg Reiter (tracks: 2,12)
Vibraphone – Wolfgang Lackerschmid (tracks: 5)
Violin – Schmitto Kling
Jacky Terrasson's 1999 album, What It Is, represented something of a risk. The young pianist's first three albums were barebones trio affairs that had won him rave reviews, whereas What It Is featured additional instruments and was more slickly produced. Gone, it seemed, was the sparse, acoustic approach that had originally given Terrasson his fame. But while this new direction yielded mixed results and left some fans a bit befuddled, one had to respect Terrasson's need to grow and evolve as an artist.Terrasson does much better with his follow-up, A Paris, an homage to the city of his youth and early adulthood. While not a return to the simple piano trio format (there are five guest musicians in addition to two alternating rhythm sections), the album has a spontaneous, natural sound that was lacking from the studio-centric What It Is. What's more, A Paris is packed with new and varied ideas that work, not to mention passionate, fiery playing throughout.Only the last two tracks are originals, the fewest ever on a Terrasson album. "Rue de Lombards," a funk fragment that sounds like an in-studio improvisation, is credited to Terrasson, drummer Terreon Gully, and bassist Remi Vignolo. The rest of the tracks are Terrasson's highly personal readings of songs from French culture. Most will not be familiar to American listeners, with the possible exception of "La Marseillaise" -- the French national anthem -- and the Edith Piaf classic "La Vie en Rose," played in a calypso feel by Terrasson and percussionist Minino Gara.Guitarist Bireli Lagrene's cameos on the bluesy title track and the swinging "Que Reste-T'Il de Nos Amours?" are nothing short of brilliant. The latter, which bears an uncanny likeness to Lerner & Loewe's "Almost Like Being in Love," features Terrasson on Fender Rhodes electric piano. Saxophonist Stefano di Battista also makes two fine appearances, playing tenor on the fast, tense "Jeux Interdits" and soprano on the lively and pretty "L'Aigle Noir," one of the two originals. Both Lagrene and Battista return for the brief, full-company finale, an intoxicating funk line by Terrasson titled "Métro."
Another highlight is Terrasson resuscitating his funk version of Cole Porter's "I Love Paris," the only song by an American writer and the very one that led off Terrasson's 1994 debut album. Bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Leon Parker, Terrasson's trio mates from his first three albums, both return to play on the Porter track, as well as the opening Piaf number "Plaisir d'Amour" and an exquisite reading of Jacques Brel's "Ne Me Quitte Pas." The latter briefly features Gregoire Maret on harmonica, who played on What It Is. Several rather short pieces are grouped right around the middle of the album, giving that part of the program a collage-like feel that can seem a bit superficial. That aside, Terrasson has pulled off something rare: a concept album that succeeds on a variety of creative levels. In the process, he's given exposure to several excellent European musicians, not to mention some beautiful French music that American audiences ought to hear.David R. Adler Tracklist :
1 Plaisir d'Amour 3:10 Public Domain / Traditional
2 Les Chemins de l'Amour 4:24 Francis Poulenc
3 Jeux Interdits 6:27 N. Yepes / Narciso Yepes
4 A Paris 8:52 Francis Lemarque
5 I Love Paris in the Springtime 3:10 Cole Porter
6 Que Reste-T'il de Nos Amours? 4:20 Charles Trénet
7 Ne Me Quitte Pas 4:43 Jacques Brel
8 La Vie en Rose 3:11 Guglielmi Luis Guglielmo
9 Nantes 2:00
10 La Marseillaise 3:16
11 Rue des Lombards 1:08 Terreon Gully / Jacky Terrasson / Rémi Vignolo
12 L' Aigle Noir 3:22 Barbara
13 I Love You More 6:22 Jacky Terrasson
14 Métro 1:31 Jacky Terrasson Credits
Bass – Rémi Vignolo, Ugonna Okegwo
Drums – Leon Parker, Terreon Gully
Guitar – Bireli Lagrene
Harmonica – Grégoire Maret
Marimba – Stefon Harris
Percussion – Minino Garay
Piano, Producer – Jacky Terrasson
Saxophone – Stefano di Battista
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