I've Had My Moments

Here's the first entry in the chronological recordings of Django Reinhardt. It's easy to see why the Quintette du Hot Club de France became one of the most influential acts of the jazz era, and with subsequent recordings only became better. From Allmusic.com, "Django Reinhardt was the first hugely influential jazz figure to emerge from Europe -- and he remains the most influential European to this day, with possible competition from Joe Zawinul, George Shearing, John McLaughlin, his old cohort Stephane Grappelli and a bare handful of others. A free-spirited gypsy, Reinhardt wasn't the most reliable person in the world, frequently wandering off into the countryside on a whim. Yet Reinhardt came up with a unique way of propelling the humble acoustic guitar into the front line of a jazz combo in the days before amplification became widespread. He would spin joyous, arcing, marvelously inflected solos above the thrumming base of two rhythm guitars and a bass, with Grappelli's elegantly gliding violin serving as the perfect foil. His harmonic concepts were startling for their time -- making a direct impression upon Charlie Christian and Les Paul, among others -- and he was an energizing rhythm guitarist behind Grappelli, pushing their groups into a higher gear." Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. Lily Belle May June
02. Sweet Sue, Just You
03. Confessin'
04. The Continental
05. Blue Drag
06. Swanee River
07. Ton Doux Sourire (The Sunshine Of Your Smile)
08. Ultrafox
09. You And The Night And The Music
10. I Get A Kick Out Of You
11. Seagulls
12. Anything Goes
13. Easter Parade
14. I'm Gonna Wash My Hands Of You
15. Avalon
16. Smoke Rings
17. Clouds
18. Believe It, Beloved
19. I've Found A New Baby
20. St. Louis Blues
21. Chasing Shadows
22. I've Had My Moments