The Classic Early Recordings in Chronological Order [Box set]

Amazon.com
This wonderful five-disc box is an indispensable collection of prewar, prebop jazz that belongs in the company of your finest Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman sets. Technically, this isn't a true box set--it merely collects five single-disc compilations under one slipcase--but it is infinitely rewarding nonetheless. Disheartened by what he thought were sonically subpar Reinhardt collections, Ted Kendall undertook an ambitious mission to find the best original sources for this classic material and then meticulously remastered them. He wisely opted to leave in some of the surface noise to maintain the clarity and integrity of the music. And what glorious, jubilant music it is! Dating to the very first Quintet of the Hot Club of France sessions in September 1934 (before they'd even established that moniker), the collection includes all the landmark recordings Reinhardt made for Ultraphone, Decca (its English and French labels), and HMV up through the Quintet's 1939 breakup on the eve of World War II. Reinhardt's guitar work is spirited and adventurous throughout--lightning-quick runs, insistent rhythm work, and hybrid "riffs" that seem to split the difference. Nearly all the cuts feature the elegant but vivacious violin work of his most famous foil, Stephane Grappelli, who certainly deserves co-billing on the set. The way the two feed off each other's energy is magical. Despite their well-documented personality clashes, the twosome remains perhaps the most synergistic in jazz history, constantly engaging in their incredible cat-and-mouse games. Often overlooked are the songwriting talents of the two musicians, who contributed several standards to the jazz canon. Though mostly focused on the Quintet recordings, the set detours for such oddities as a pair of solo Reinhardt cuts from 1937 and collaborations with Coleman Hawkins. Simply delightful from beginning to end. --Marc Greilsamer

Tracks:

I Saw Stars (Unissued As 78) (September 1934)
I'm Confessin'
Dinah
Tiger Rag
Oh Lady Be Good
I Saw Stars (December 1934)
Lily Belle May June
Sweet Sue, Just You
I'm Confessin'
The Continental
Blue Drag
Swanee River
The Sunshine Of Your Smile
Ultrafox
Avalon
Smoke Rings
Clouds
Believe It, Beloved
I've Found A New Baby
St. Louis Blues
Crazy Rhythm
The Sheik Of Araby
Chasing Shadows
I've Had My Moments
Some Of These Days
Djangology

Tracks:

Honeysuckle Rose
Sweet Georgia Brown
Night And Day
My Sweet
Souvenirs
Daphne
Black And White
Stompin' At Decca
Tornerai
If I Had You
It Had To Be You
Nocturne
The Flat Foot Foogie
The Lambeth Walk
Why Shouldn't I?
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
Please Be Kind
Louise
Improvisation No.2
Undecided
HCQ Strut
Don't Worry 'Bout Me
The Man I Love
My Sweet
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
Improvisation No.2

Tracks:

Billets Doux
Swing From Paris
Them There Eyes
Three Little Words
Appel Direct
Hungaria
Hungaria
Jeepers Creepers
Jeepers Creepers
Swing '39
Japanese Sandman
I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight
I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight
Tea For Two
Tea For Two
My Melancholy Baby
Time On My Hands
Twelfth Year
Twelfth Year
My Melancholy Baby
Japanese Sandman
Tea For Two
I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight
Hungaria

Tracks:

Blue Moon
Avalon
What A Difference A Day Made
Stardust
St. Louis Blues
Limehouse Blues
I Got Rhythm
I've Found A New Baby
It Was So Beautiful
China Boy
Moon Glow
It Don't Mean A Thing
I'se A-Muggin'
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
Oriental Shuffle
After You've Gone
Are You In The Mood?
Limehouse Blues
Nagasaki
Swing Guitars
Georgia On My Mind
Shine
In The Still Of The Night
Sweet Chorus

Tracks:

Exactly Like You
Charleston
You're Driving Me Crazy
Tears
Solitude
Hot Lips
Ain't Misbehavin'
Rose Room
Body And Soul
When Day Is Done
Runnin' Wild
Chicago
Liebestraum No.3
Miss Annabelle Lee
A Little Love, A Little Kiss
Mystery Pacific
In A Sentimental Mood
The Sheik Of Araby
Improvisation
Parfum
Alabamy Bound
Rosetta
Stardust
The Object Of My Affection

Amazon.com

This wonderful five-disc box is an indispensable collection of prewar, prebop jazz that belongs in the company of your finest Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman sets. Technically, this isn't a true box set--it merely collects five single-disc compilations under one slipcase--but it is infinitely rewarding nonetheless. Disheartened by what he thought were sonically subpar Reinhardt collections, Ted Kendall undertook an ambitious mission to find the best original sources for this classic material and then meticulously remastered them. He wisely opted to leave in some of the surface noise to maintain the clarity and integrity of the music. And what glorious, jubilant music it is! Dating to the very first Quintet of the Hot Club of France sessions in September 1934 (before they'd even established that moniker), the collection includes all the landmark recordings Reinhardt made for Ultraphone, Decca (its English and French labels), and HMV up through the Quintet's 1939 breakup on the eve of World War II. Reinhardt's guitar work is spirited and adventurous throughout--lightning-quick runs, insistent rhythm work, and hybrid "riffs" that seem to split the difference. Nearly all the cuts feature the elegant but vivacious violin work of his most famous foil, Stephane Grappelli, who certainly deserves co-billing on the set. The way the two feed off each other's energy is magical. Despite their well-documented personality clashes, the twosome remains perhaps the most synergistic in jazz history, constantly engaging in their incredible cat-and-mouse games. Often overlooked are the songwriting talents of the two musicians, who contributed several standards to the jazz canon. Though mostly focused on the Quintet recordings, the set detours for such oddities as a pair of solo Reinhardt cuts from 1937 and collaborations with Coleman Hawkins. Simply delightful from beginning to end. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful - for the Purists among us.......2007-07-02

Django Reinhardt's music is a study in Jazz influence, improvisation and sheer exuberance. These recordings take you through his early years and maturity as an astonishing guitarist. If you understand guitar and what it took for him to play as he did, your appreciation for the technical virtuosity cannot but respond to his work.

The digital re-masterings themselves faithfully reproduce the original sounds, complete with all of the surface noise that attended those early 78's. For the purist this is no problem because the desire is to not have any of the music also filtered. For those who are into casual listening or background music while you drive, especially if you listen at high volume, you might find it a bit distracting.

One of the most delightful aspects of Reinhardt's group is Stephan Grappely's Jazz violin. We don't think of the violin as a jazz instrument very often, but these folks made it work wonderfully in group. Reinhardt shared the lead often with his band and it gives the music a diversity which enables sustained listening without boredom.

Good group, good selections, good music.

Django Reinhardt , Classic Early Recordings.......2007-04-12

Like the Supreme Court Justice opined about obscenity [I'm informed],
he said if he saw it he would know what it was. I have sonically seen
Django and I know what JAZZ GENIUS IS!! He and his consorts swing from
the beginning to the end every time they do a tune. Being an un-recon-
structed Stan Kenton fan of some 60 + years, I recognize that except
for some Shorty Rogers charts and particularly "Stompin' At The Savoy"
by Bill Holman, Django could have made even the Kenton band swing! How
he could swing so hard with a wounded wing is an education. If you dig
jazz or think you might, this is the ONE to buy.

Tout Sweet.......2007-01-08

Imagine yourself luxuriously pouring time down the drain in some obscure cafe, contemplating the crumbling Parisian skyline through an absinthe-induced fog, puffing on a Gauloise sans filtre securely plugged into an ivory cigarette holder. At the adjoining table a taciturn J.P. Sartre is cheating at solitaire. Out back, on the cobblestone street worn smooth by centuries of horse hooves, Gertrude Stein is rebuilding the transmission of an American Jeep. This is your sound track.

The Classic Early Recordings of Django Reinhardt is one of the best deals in the entire Amazon jungle. From sound quality to song selection to sheer quantity, this superb 5-CD set recreates a whole environment; it transports you to another place and time. Perhaps the only flaw is that Stephane Grappelly does not get equal billing - the real magic of this music is found in the interplay between these two giants.

It is tempting to say that Reinhardt was the Hendrix of his generation; it is perhaps more accurate to say that Hendrix was the Reinhardt of his generation. Django Reinhardt, (believed by some to be the best guitarist ever), belongs in the same pantheon with Art Tatum and Charlie Parker - he exhibited almost Faustian brilliance, worlds beyond other players. Green bananas are advised to remember that everything Reinhardt played - he actually played - these recordings were made long before technology took the place of talent.

Reinhardt's style is extremely athletic, he strums as if he is trying to rip the strings off. Lightning-quick riffs are tossed off almost thoughtlessly, creating a vibrant, racing energy. Grappelly's elegant, lyrical violin is the perfect counterpoint, where Reinhardt drives, Grappelly soars. As staggeringly fast as Reinhardt is, Grappelly never strains to keep up, his work here establishes him as heavyweight champ of jazz violin. This music is relentlessly joyful, upbeat, and sweet. While it is always possible to analyze it for sheer technical virtuosity, the temptation to fall under its magical spell is far greater. Absolutely enchanting.

Guitarist Supreme-Django Reinhardt.......2006-08-20

This is a first for us to hear Django play guitar.A simply wonderful set of his recordings. We love his way of playing. So expressive and uplifting and up to date.He is very accomplished musician. "Ted Kendall" (sound engineer) did a fine job of restoring of original recordings. The CD and case like new. Arrived on time. Seller highly recommended!

if you have the mosaic and you're wondering..........2006-05-05

it may have been pointed out another reviewer, but:
if you have the mosaic swing/hmv set and you're concerned about overlap, go ahead and get this set. there's only about a disc and a half of overlap. 3 1/2 hours' worth of non-duplicates, of sessions which preceded those in the mosaic and, even better, the complete paris and london decca sides from '38-39. restoration-wise, these are a little noisier than the mosaic, but also sweeter top end. different approach, i like both. pure joy.

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