https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgavR-XmCYs

What I already have:

• The "Djangology" 10-CD boxed set [not to be confused with the 20-disc Djangologie collection], which as far as I can tell (based on this discography), has virtually all recordings Django made between early 1936 (I'se a Muggin) and late 1948 (To Each His Own- Symphonie) - so I'm all set with this time period.

What I need to get?:

• It looks like the "Classic Early Recordings in Chronological Order" would nicely fill out some early years (the last CD overlaps with my other boxed set, but at $15 for 5 CD's on Amazon, I'm not too worried about it)
• "Django in Rome" boxed set: this seems like a no-brainer to pick this one up, right?
• "Postwar Recordings 1944-1953" - I'm a bit unsure about this because it overlaps significantly with my Djangology set, and seems like it may also overlap with the Rome recordings? Any comments on this one?
• "Musette to Maestro 1928-1937" - this one seems like it overlaps quite a bit with the other early recordings I'd have. And, although I find Django's early banjo recordings interesting, I don't necessarily see myself listening to them a whole lot. Anything I'm missing here?

Anything else that I should be looking at? Thanks for all feedback and suggestions!

Also, if anyone knows of a "more ethical than Amazon" place that has these available, please let me know that as well.

Cheers Phil

I saw Fapy there in Oct 2024.

He will be at Django in June this year.

Jerry Carris

Just wanted to drop this here. Marius recorded a solo guitar album using the guitar I made. It's really beautiful. Not GJ but it's on the Grenadillo Selmer I had at DIJ and a lot of you played last year.

All fingerstyle solo guitar I think. Very intimate. Sounds like 2am to me.

And for the record I was wondering why the guitar sounds a little less shimmery than I was expecting. Marius told me that he tuned down a step.

Many of us that are into Django's music may also appreciate French chansons and the music of France from the 30s-50s. On Bandcamp, there is a label called Arkadia Chansons (https://arkadiachansons.bandcamp.com/). This is Edith Piaf, Maurice Chevalier, Charles Trenet, etc. Until March 22, their catalog is 45% off if you use the code: ARKADIAFAMILY. These are items that Michael doesn't sell here, so I thought it might be of interest. If I'm off-base for posting, please feel free to delete.

They also have a straight jazz section including a Django collection, that is also included in the discount. (https://arkadiarecords.bandcamp.com/)

I've always liked this album. Do we know if he was playing archtop or an amplified Selmer?

Did he record with the Stimer or was that more for live stuff?

Great show tonight, with the gang stopping in Portland after Djangofest NW. Paulus is playing a Cach guitar.

You can order a copy of the album by sending me an inbox in here, or insta , facebook etc. I don t use spotify and other plateforms so it's the only way to get it. Had a lot of fun recording it, killer team, and on two cool vintage Gibson L-5 (a 1934 in this video, and a 1936 on some other).

Enjoy and see you on July 4th at the Sunset in case some of you will be in Paris in a few weeks

Cheers

Romain

Here is the new album from Duved Dunayevsky!

Waltzes, tangos, ballads and some swingy tunes. Duved has created amazing arrangements and guitar parts for these tunes, some of which have not been played for nearly 100 years!

February 6th is celebrated as World Concertina Day on the birthday of the English concertina's inventor, Charles Wheatstone. To mark this occasion, our band DC Ambiance created this little concert for you all featuring our own Randy Stein on the English Concertina, @Buco on solo guitar, and Victoria Jones on vocals. Hope you enjoy.

I was discussing with Michael who doesn't sell records anymore on the site and advised me to post something because this might interest some of you folks.

It's out today in record stores or on streaming platforms. I was lucky to coordinate the production of this compilation for Decca records that features the 3 last recording sessions of Django (Decca and Blue Star).

Available in USA, France, Nederlands, Belgique, Deutschland, Österreich, New-Zealand, Italia, Grèce Ελλάδα, Suisse, Canada, Polska, Taiwan 臺灣

Please enquire at your local store if not available yet with the product code : 653 395-2 (or complete barcode 602465339529).

This record is a great way to enjoy Django's Be-bop recordings without having to find the rare and expensive Blue Star/Clef "The great artistry of Django Reinhardt" or the Decca original 78rpms.

Michel

* * * *

From café terraces to musette ballrooms, jazz clubs to the most prestigious stages in Europe and America, Django Reinhardt has never ceased to dazzle the world with his guitar.

Although less familiar to the general audience, the tracks gathered and remastered here are among the finest proofs of the guitarist’s genius and extraordinary adaptability, probably the only jazzman to have evolved so brilliantly from swing to be-bop without ever compromising his artistic identity.

Backed by the first generation of French boppers, benefiting from modern recording techniques and a perfectly mastered amplified guitar sound, Django Reinhardt reached his peak as an improviser, virtuoso and composer : personal explorations of the blues (Deccaphonie), avant-garde compositions (Anouman), bop interpretations standards (Fine and Dandy, Crazy Rhythm...), french songs (Le soir, Chez moi...) and his own standards like Nuages or Manoir de mes rêves which are masterpieces.

Glory was once again reaching out to him thanks to the Blue Star sessions of March 1953, produced by Eddie Barclay at the request of Norman Granz who wanted to invite him to the USA to join the legendary Jazz at the Philharmonic tours. Alas, he will pass away shortly after these recordings at 43.