That
Django Reinhardt was an original and a virtuoso was impressive enough. But what is astounding about his playing is that it was accomplished by someone who only had the use of two fingers on his left hand; he had been severely burned as a young man and lost the use of his ring and pinkie fingers. 45 years after his death there are still French guitarists who, in an attempt to get the same sound that
Django had, will only use two fingers when they play.
Nuages is a collection of recordings from the late '30s featuring
Reinhardt's Quintet du Hot Club de France at its peak. The standards are all here: "Minor Swing" (in a statelier, more deliberate version than one normally hears, but one which still swings solidly), "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Swing Guitars." But there are also some unusual treats: a couple of novelty tunes featuring singer Freddy Taylor, a lovely version of "Farewell Blues" on which
Django is accompanied by the
Benny Carter orchestra, and two tracks with the legendary tenor saxophonist
Coleman Hawkins. Essential. ~ Rick Anderson