DJANGO REINHARDT – 1937, Vol. 2 | The Classics Chronological Series – 762 (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This volume of the Classics Django Reinhardt chronology was expressly dedicated by the producers to the memory of Philippe Brun, a fine and forceful trumpeter whose primary inspiration was Louis Armstrong. Brun, who passed away in 1994, seems to have recorded regularly with Django and company. In addition to a fascinating version of Larry Clinton's "Whoa Babe" -- made famous among jazz fans after Lionel Hampton recorded it with Johnny Hodges and Cootie Williams in April 1937 -- Brun's two essays on the blues are honest and subtle, while his "College Stomp" is a fine example of Parisian big-band swing. The other noteworthy guest instrumentalist is violinist Michel Warlop, who appears either as a member of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France or as featured fiddler leading his own ensembles. Warlop's pleasantly looming "Taj Mahal" typifies a European's idyllic notion of a scene in "exotic" southern Asia. Anyone familiar with Fats Waller's monumental 1934 recording of Reginald Foresythe's "Serenade for a Wealthy Widow" will derive a new thrill from Warlop's equally feisty rendition. This disc also contains several unforgettable experiments by the Quintet. A marvelous "Minor Swing," with vocal exclamations and encouragements by Django, is perfectly amended by the famous "Viper's Dream." Everything recorded on December 14, 1937, has a pleasantly bracing dissonance about it, beginning with a hypnotic set of bolero variations played by a 13-piece band featuring flutist Maurice Cizeron and three violinists. But the real feature seems always to be Django Reinhardt, guitarist supreme. He is prominently featured on "St. Louis Blues" and "Bouncin' Around," accompanied only by a second guitar and string bass, and on a lovely series of duets with either bassist Louis Vola ("You Rascal You") or violinist/pianist Stéphane Grappelli. arwulf arwulf         Tracklist :

DJANGO REINHARDT – 1937-1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 777 (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Here's another in a long line of chronological Reinhardt discs on the Classics label. This time up, more from the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, featuring Reinhardt cohort and violinist Stephane Grappelli, guitarist Roger Chaput, and bassist Louis Vola. Having already cut many sides for the Ultraphone and HMV labels, Reinhardt and company were now recording for Decca; most of these performances were taped in London. Highlights include such Reinhardt and Grappelli staples as "Daphné," "Souvenirs," and "Paris Swing," not to mention fine renditions of "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Sweet Georgia Brown." There are also cuts spotlighting French harmonica great Larry Adler and trumpeter Philippe Brun. With many Reinhardt collections to choose from, this somewhat below-par addition to the Classics series is probably best left to completists. Stephen Cook       Tracklist + Credits :

DJANGO REINHARDT – 1939-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 813 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In addition to providing a wonderful photograph of Django Reinhardt having his palm read by Edith Piaf, this segment of the guitarist's chronology documents the recordings he participated in during the months leading up to the outbreak of the Second World War. On May 17, 1939, the famous Quintet of the Hot Club of France scrubbed, jogged, and trotted their way around two Tin Pan Alley standards and the Reinhardt/Grappelli original "Hungaria." They also tiptoed delicately through "Japanese Sandman" and took their time relishing the verse section of "Tea for Two." One week later, alto saxophonist Andre Ekyan assembled a jam band involving three seasoned U.S. musicians: Louisiana's Frank "Big Boy" Goudie (usually a reed player, heard here on trumpet), Baltimore piano legend Joe Turner, and world-class drummer Tommy Benford of Charleston, WV. Ekyan, who played a whole lot of funky clarinet during this blowing session, struck gold when he blended the artistry of six men from such diverse backgrounds. Two of the five tunes recorded that day feature the French half of this band in a more intimate setting. On June 30, 1939, the Quintet made another landmark recording, Django's harmonically intriguing "Stockholm," fascinating in its eccentric gait and wistful changes. After recording a sunny version of Noël Coward's "Younger Generation" for the flip side, Django reduced the group to a trio for "I'll See You in My Dreams" and finished the session all by himself. "Echoes of Spain" recalls the magical mind of Enriqué Granados, the landscape of Andalusia, and almost certainly the tragic political realities of Spain during the late '30s. "Naguine," a softly rendered daydream, sounds as if it were improvised on the spot. Four sides waxed in London on August 25, 1939, include a pair of vocals by Beryl Davis. Hearing an American female vocalist singing with the Quintet is an unusual experience, and not at all unpleasant. The instrumental "The Man I Love" is a profound example of the group's collective creativity. This would be the final session involving the original Quintet, and the last Reinhardt/Grappelli collaboration to occur for more than five years. Although they were planning to tour Australia and India, Hitler's invasion of Poland on the first of September caused them to cancel this promising mission and Django hotfooted it back to Paris while Stéphane remained in London. Reinhardt's next adventure in a recording studio took place on February 22, 1940, as an honored member of trumpeter Philippe Brun's Jam Band, an exciting ensemble including trombonist Guy Paquinet, the great Alix Combelle playing both tenor sax and clarinet, American pianist Charlie Lewis, and H.P. Chadel on drums. Any questions regarding this group's attitude toward the Axis powers are resolved by their recording of a "Stomp" bristling with quotes from John Philip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever." arwulf arwulf          Tracklist :

DJANGO REINHARDT – 1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 831 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For fans mostly enamored with Reinhardt and Grappelli's vintage Quintet of the Hot Club of France (QHCF) sides from the '30s, this collection of 1940 recordings might not the best disc to get. Reinhardt completists, however, will certainly find plenty here to admire. The start of The War had broken up the original QHCF, as Grappelli opted to pursue a career on England's relatively safe shores and Reinhardt went solo in Paris. This Classics disc finds a Grappelli-less Reinhardt with a new incarnation of the Quintet, plus several cuts where the guitarist is featured in groups led by such other French musical luminaries as trumpeter Hubert Rostaing and tenor saxophonist Noel Chiboust. Reinhardt regulars like trumpeter Philippe Brun and reed player Alix Combelle also make fine solo contributions to this set of both hot swingers and dance band smoothies. Unessential, but enjoyable all the same. Stephen Cook         Tracklist :