In case you didn’t know, violinist Stephane Grappelli was probably the world’s best ballad player. He had a tone and vibrato that was the envy of every other musician. I saw him a number of times in my early days of jazz fandom, and unfortunately, it spoiled me forever, as I compare everyone else to him.
This session is a reissued collection of material with Grappelli with his working band of Marc Fossett-Martin Taylor/g, Jack Sewing/b, and Martin Drew-Alf Bigden-Graham Ward/dr waxing eloquent with an orchestra conducted by Ettore Stratta. The orchestra sometimes dominates, sometimes gently frames, and sometimes completely sits out of the tunes, all to wondrous effect. The small band outings include some nicely swinging “The Way You Look Tonight” and “I Won’t Dance” while the orchestra caresses tunes like “All The Things You Are” and “Yesterdays.” Completely celestial, but with a bohemian kick, the music is both romantic yet vibrant. Grappelli’s piano is lithe on “Long Ago And Far Away” while his violin sings like a gypsy. Wondrous music.
Just A Memory Records
www.justin-time.com