Track Listing

1. Shine
2. Pent-Up House
3. Misty
4. Sweet Georgia Brown
5. Tiger Rag (Hold That Tiger)
6. Satin Doll
7. Swing
8. Medley: Tzigani/Fisztorza/Fulginiti

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #79174 in Music
• Released on: 1994-04-12
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Live

Customer Reviews

The passing of the torch
In a sense this recording represents a passing of the torch, as virtuoso violinist Stephane Grappelli bridges two generations of great acoustic jazz musicians --- from his all-time classic 1930s recordings with the Hot Club of France (and the great guitarist Django Reinhardt) to this remarkable recording with David Grisman, Mark O'Conner and Mike Marshall. Grappelli was incomparable in his Hot Club of France days, and he hadn't lost a beat by the time of this recording almost 50 years later. Grisman's music was greatly influenced by Reinhardt and Grappelli and the old Hot Club of France, and this CD represents a kind of tribute to those great pioneers of acoustic swing music --- but it's much more than just a nostalgic nod to the past. It's a historic recording in its own right, and the music is truly wonderful. Grisman and Grappelli sound as if they'd been playing together for years, and the respect they have for each other is obvious throughout the entire set. It's not an exaggeration to say that Grappelli and Grisman are two of the very best and most innovative musicians (especially on acoustic string instruments) of the 20th century, and it's a real treat to get to hear them play together on this recording. I'm sure you won't be disappointed in this CD, and if you're interested in hearing some of Grappelli's great early recordings with Django Reinhardt you can't go wrong with the wonderful 5-CD box set called "Django Reinhardt: The Classic Early Recordings in Chronological Order." Enjoy!!

Knockout!
I defy anyone to listen to this CD without grinning. This music is pure joy. If you play a string instrument, your jaw will drop down to your knees. Grappelli's technical virtuosity is astonishing; what's even more remarkable is how effortless he makes it sound. And Grisman smokes. This is why God gave us fingers.

Dawg Music meets Le Jazz Hot!
French violinist Stephane Grappelli played a number of times with Old & In The Way alum David Grisman in the late '70's & early '80's. On this swinging 1981 trip to the Bay Area, Grappelli & Grisman played The Great American Music Hall in SF, as well as some of the best shows I have seen in my life, at The Paul Masson Mountain Winery in Saratoga(thanks again, Bruce!), which is where the cover shot was taken. I believe Stephane was in his late 60's when this was recorded, but he kicks it out with the best right here, with the flying fingers of David Grisman on mandolin. From the intro to "Shine" to the frantic Gypsy-esque finale of Tzigani>Fisztora>Fulginit, Grappelli & Grisman play as sweet as you could want. The only problem I have is that this should be a double set. FYI, the Gypsy medley finale derives from the soundtrack to the '70's film KING OF THE GYPSIES. I heard these two play a number of tunes from thatfilm on King Biscuit in around 1977, & I've wanted that soundtrack ever since, but for some reason, it was never released. Write your local record mogul! We need to hear more from these two geniuses.