By David Rickert
Djangology
Django Reinhardt
1949
Djangology marked a return to form for the guitar master, who for the first time in ten years was able to record with Grappelli, his longtime musical companion (the onset of World War II put a temporary stop to their musical association). Backed by a fine Italian rhythm section featuring piano, bass, and drums instead of the previous three guitar format, Django and Grappelli seems content to relive the swing days of their past with their traditional high energy and dexterous soloing. There are a few hints at the modern influences that Django picked up during the break; one can hear the influence of the bebop revolution in his soloing, and a few modern songs, like ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂAll the Things You AreÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ, are featured in the program. But regardless of what they happen to be playing, Django and Grappelli display the same symbiotic relationship of their best work from the twenties and thirties. This album comes relatively late in the guitaristÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs career, but is a welcome reissue; with cleaned up remastering, this is the best Django has ever sounded. Fans of the gypsy guitarists will definitely want to add this to their collection; those unfamiliar with Django will find this a worthy introduction.
Astral Traveling
Lonnie Liston Smith
1973
Given the fact that Smith gigged with Roland Kirk, Pharoah Sanders, and Miles Davis before he released his first solo album, one would certainly expect that Astral Traveling would be a different sounding album than it is. Perhaps inspired by Coltrane, Smith (backed by his group, the Cosmic Echoes) attempts a sort of spiritual karma, but frequently falls into meandering grooves that are sleep-inducing. ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂAstral TravelingÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ is promising enough, with swirling electric piano and soaring saxophone, but the format quickly becomes tiresome, as everything followed the same format; ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂLet Us Go Into the House of LordÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ never really develops into a real song and the rest of album quickly lulls the listener into a daze rather than engaging the ear. The only standout track, and the only one with any sense of development at all is ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂI ManiÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ, which features some free jazz explorations courtesy of George Barron. Unfortunately, the rest of the album, with the simulated seagulls and wind chimes, sounds an awful lot like a precursor to the new age music of today. Despite the title, Astral Traveling never quite gets off the ground.
Louis Armstrong and His Friends
Louis Armstrong
1970
Historically significant recordings arenÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂt always artistically significant recordings. Case in point: Louis Armstrong and His Friends was the last studio recording Satchmo made before he died, and features misguided attempts to update the Armstrong sound with contemporary songs and rock grooves. Armstrong, no longer able to play trumpet, is still in fine form, but the arrangements by Oliver Nelson sound woefully out-of-date today. One can hardly blame the orchestra, which is packed with firepower of the likes of Kenny Burrell, Thad Jones, and James Spaulding, for the album going flat. And those who may have wanted to hear Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, and Tony Bennett record together can do so here (albeit only in the chorus). What sinks the album is the misguided attempt to present Louis to a modern audience that wasnÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂt going to accept these warmed over versions of pop tunes from a guy who made his living playing music that by now was considered old-fashioned. Unfortunately, this record makes one long for the days when Armstrong didnÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂt have to play such commercially minded music to make a buck. ThereÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs little of the popular entertainer left here at the end of his life, and one longs for a more fitting epitaph than this.
Django Reinhardt-Djangology
Tracks: 1. I Saw Stars 2. After You've Gone 3. Heavy Artillery (Artillerie Lourde) 4. Beyond The Sea (La Mer) 5. Minor Swing 6. Menilmontant 7. Bricktop 8. Swing Guitars 9. All The Things You Are 10. Daphne 11. It's Only A Paper Moon 12. Improvisation On Tchaikovsky's "Pathetique" Andante 13. The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise 14. Djangology 15. Ou Es-Tu, Mon Amour? (Where Are You, My Love?) 16. Marie 17. I Surrender, Dear 18. Hallelujah 19. Swing 42 20. I'll Never Be The Same 21. Honeysuckle Rose 22. Lover Man 23. I Got Rhythm.
Personnel: Django Reinhardt-guitar; Stephane Grappelli-violin; Gianni Safred-piano; Carlo Pecori-bass; Aurelio De Carolis-drums.
Lonnie Liston Smith and the Cosmic Echoes-Astral Traveling
Tracks: 1. Astral Traveling 2. Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord 3. Rejuvenation 4. I Mani (Faith) 5. In Search of Truth 6. Aspirations 7. Astral Traveling [Alternate Take] 8. Rejuvenation [Alternate Take] 9. I Mani (Faith) [Alternate Take] 10. In Search of Truth [Alternate Take].
Personnel: Lonnie Liston Smith-piano, electric piano; George Barron-soprano, tenor saxophone; Joe Beck-guitar; Cecil McBee-bass; David Lee, Jr.-drums; Badal Roy-tabla; Sonny Morgan, James Mtume-conga, percussion; Geeta Vashi-tamboura.
Louis Armstrong-Louis Armstrong and His Friends
Tracks: 1. We Shall Overcome 2. Everybody's Talkin' (Echoes) 3. What A Wonderful World 4. Boy From New Orleans 5. The Creator Has A Master Plan (Peace) 6. Give Peace A Chance 7. Mood Indigo 8. His Father Wore Long Hair 9. My One And Only Love 10. This Black Cat Has Nine Lives 11. Here Is My Heart For Christmas (bonus track) 12. The Creator Has A Master Plan (Peace) (alternate mix 1) 13. The Creator Has A Master Plan (Peace) (alternate mix 2).
Personnel: Louis Armstrong-vocal with orchestra arranged and conducted by Oliver Nelson.
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