Search - Stephane Grappelli, David Grisman :: Live

Bridget S. (Vassar) from PLYMOUTH, IN
Reviewed on 5/31/2009...

Stephane Grappelli is at his absolute BEST on this album. All 8 tunes are wonderful examples of the group's talent. From David's mandolin picking to Stephane & Mark's twin fiddling. LOVED THIS!

The passing of the torch

12/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!!"

Dawg Music meets Le Jazz Hot!

Nagronsky | Skagit Valley, Wa USA | 04/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."