Django Reinhardt Swing 39 CD

In 2005, the Pegasus label released Swing 39, a chronologically scrambled Django Reinhardt collection that paints an accurate portrait of this accomplished improviser using 36 recordings he made during the years 1935-1950. The title Swing 39 should not be taken as an indicator of the exact vintage of the contents. Only about three titles are verifiably traceable to the year 1939; in fact, Reinhardt is known to have recorded four different versions of "Swing '39," three each of "Swing '41" and "Swing '42," and one take of "Swing '48," and furthermore, these titles seldom indicated the exact year during which each piece was recorded. Django Reinhardt's voluminous recorded legacy is an intricate and surprisingly complex entity; unfortunately, a mixed-up sampler like this does virtually nothing for those who are trying to figure it out for themselves. What it does offer is a pleasant selection of well-played studies in Parisian Gypsy swing, and it is recommended for those who want a set of general impressions without any context whatsoever. ~ arwulf arwulf

There is something carefree and joyful about the music of Django Reinhardt; something that comes bubbling to the surface every time he begins a wild run of notes on his acoustic guitar. Of course the swinging style of Stephane Grappelli's violin doesn't hurt. Nor do great songs like "Tea for Two," "My Melancholy Baby," and "Jeepers Creepers." Swing 39 captures 17 tracks by the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, including a number of alternate versions, on the eve of Grappelli leaving the group (because of the war). Two bouncy versions of "Jeepers Creepers" start things off, and while the pacing of both cuts is similar, each guitar solo is fresh and fundamentally different. Reinhardt creates endless variety through his ability to solo with chords or single notes, bend strings, and constantly alter the tempo. The band transforms two versions of "I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight" (usually a sad thing to wonder) into bright and cheerful melodies, and magically reworks "Tea for Two" three times. The last version of "Tea for Two" slows the pace, adds 30 seconds, and fully captures the romanticism of the piece. Reinhardt swings hard, adding little runs and minor-key flourishes on two originals, "Twelfth Year" and "Hungaria." "Hungaria" receives a particularly engaging workout, with the master assertively developing his lead lines, each building from the last but always expressing new ideas. For those unfamiliar with Reinhardt's fabulous guitar (shame on you!), Swing 39 offers a great place to get started. Fans will enjoy dissecting and comparing the multiple takes. Either way, this is a fine album, with Reinhardt and Grappelli sounding simply marvelous. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

This is part of Verve's Jazz In Paris series.

Recorded at Polydor Studios, Paris, France on March 21, 1939. Includes liner notes by Alain Tercinet.

Personnel: Django Reinhardt (guitar); Joseph Reinhardt (guitar); Stéphane Grappelli (violin).

Recording information: Paris, France (03/21/1939-05/17/1939).

Translator: Martin Davies.

Personnel: Django Reinhardt, Joseph Reinhardt, Pierre "Barro" Ferret (guitar); Stephane Grappelli (violin); Emmanuel Soudieux (double bass).

Reissue producer: Francois Le Xuan.