Django Reinhardt
best-of collections are fairly easy to come by, and if all you want is a nice, manageable assortment of instrumentals that show off his amazing technique, go for it: you've got a hefty selection of samplers to choose from.
Fremeaux & Associes
' 20-volume, 40-disc
Integrale Django Reinhardt
series, on the other hand, exists as a detailed chronological map of his recording activity over a quarter-century, including virtually all of his work as sideman and accompanist. Volume three focuses on nearly seven months out of the year 1935, a busy time for
Reinhardt
. This portion of his discography is heavily sprinkled with vocals, some of which sound very French, like suave
Pierre Lord
,
Nane Cholet
, and her husband
Jean Tranchant
, or the brother-sister team of
Jean & Germaine Sablon
. More distinctly English/American-sounding vocals are credited to
Jerry Mengo
(who sounds like young
Eddie Condon
on "Sweet Sue"); elegant
Hildegarde Sell
;
Bruce Boyce
, whose theatrical delivery on "Run Mary/Didn't It Rain" suggests a bit of operatic training, and members of
Freddy Taylor
's orchestra who faithfully intone most if not all of the words to "Swanee River," a minstrel song by
Stephen Foster
published in 1851 as "The Old Folks at Home." Eight selections credited to
Patrick & His Orchestra
are said to have been the last ever recorded by that short-lived big band which operated under the leadership of trombonist
Guy Paquinet
. This delightful grab bag of Parisian jazz and pop is marbled through with excellent work by
Le Quintette du Hot Club de France
, and satisfying contributions from saxophonists
Alix Combelle
and
Frank "Big Boy" Goudie
. ~ arwulf arwulf