category: instrumental jazz / easy listening

Album review:
"This CD is probably the best way to discover the music of Django Reinhardt. Though the recordings are from the '30s, they are cleaned up nicely by Blue Note's superb remastering. Most of the tunes were written or co-written by Django, and they showcase the brilliant playing of both Django and violinist Stephane Grappelli. Django was not only an amazing soloist, but an incredible rhythm player. Listen to his comping around Grappelli and the horns. He had so much energy his acoustic guitar cut through the rest of the band. Like most musical geniuses, he made it sound natural and effortless. I will repeat what I have stated elsewhere: Django is to '30s jazz guitar what Jimi Hendrix is to '60s rock guitar, a diamond-in-the-rough genius in a class all by himself. There have been none like him, before or since. This CD is an essential part of any jazz collection." -- A Music Fan (USA)

CD Track Listing

  1. Limehouse Blues * (Braham / Furber) (2:46)
  2. When Day Is Done * (Katscher / DeSylva) (3:12)
  3. Saint Louis Blues (W.C.Handy) (2:42)
  4. Minor Swing * (Reinhardt / Grappelli) (3:16)
  5. My Serenade * (Django Reinhardt) (3:02)
  6. You Rascal You (w/Louis Vola: bass) (Sam Theard) (3:07)
  7. Montmartre (Rex Stewart) (2:25)
  8. I'll See You In My Dreams (Jones / Kahn) (2:33)
  9. Naguine (Django: solo guitar) (Django Reinhardt) (2:29)
10. Nuages (Django Reinhardt) (3:19)
11. Blues Clair (Django Reinhardt) (3:05)
12. Place De Brouckere (Django Reinhardt) (2:57)
13. Manoir Des Mes Reves [Django's Castle] (Django Reinhardt) (3:17)
14. Django's Tiger * (Reinhardt / Grappelli) (2:39)
15. Ol' Man River * (Kern / Hammerstein) (2:42)
16. Diminushing * (Django Reinhardt) (3:17)
17. Lady Be Good * (George & Ira Gershwin) (3:00)
18. To Each His Own Symphony (Evans / Livingston / Alstone / Lawrence) (3:02)

* w/Stephane Grappelli: violin

Total timing: 52:58

Label/No: Blue Note / Capital 7243

Release date: 1996 reissue