Reunion [Linn]

by Stephane Grappelli

Overview

Violinist Stephane Grappelli recorded tirelessly over the decades following his legendary 1930s recordings with six-string genius Django Reinhardt, and in his later years began to perform with significantly younger musicians. One such collaborator was guitarist Martin Taylor, who had some mighty big shoes to fill following Reinhardt. But Taylor proves up to the challenge on these sessions from the early '90s that find the pair continuing a collaboration they began in the '70s. The clean, intimate sound created by the acoustic duo lulls and seduces, yet still swings with a great, galvanizing energy. The heights of Grappelli's virtuosity are well known, and his chops are in splendid order here, even despite his advanced age at the time of this recording. Taylor's work, in many places, is so astonishing it defies belief. On his solo numbers, "Miraval" and the melancholic ballad "Emily," Taylor plays bass lines, chords, and complex leads simultaneously, masking the near-impossible achievement with acute sensitivity to dynamics and phrasing. He is the perfect foil for Grappelli, creating surging, skipping note webs beneath and around the violinist's soaring lines on "It's Only a Paper Moon" and "Drop Me Off at Harlem," among others. REUNION is a study in instrumental mastery.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/31/1995
Label:	Linn Records
UPC:	5020305300228
Rank:	132621

Tracks

1. Jive At Five
2. Willow Weep For Me
3. Drop Me Off In Harlem
4. Miraval
5. Jenna
6. Reunion
7. Emily
8. Hotel Splendid
9. La Dame Du Lac
10. I Thought About You
11. It's Only A Paper Moon

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Stephane Grappelli   Primary Artist,Violin
Martin Taylor   Primary Artist,Guitar

Technical Credits

Duke Ellington   Composer
Count Basie   Composer
Johnny Mandel   Composer
Johnny Mercer   Composer
James Van Heusen   Composer
Martin Taylor   Composer,Producer,Performer
Nick A. Kenny   Composer
Guy Cambier   Composer
Harry "Sweets" Edison   Composer
Patrice Quef   Engineer
E.Y. "Yip" Harburg   Composer
Calum Malcolm   Engineer
Ann Ronell   Composer
Don Fitzpatrick   Design
Dave Gelly   Liner Notes
Andrew Chambers   Photography
Harold Arlen   Composer
Billy Rose   Composer