Customer Reviews
Probably the best jazz guitarist ever! - By: robojam, 25 May 2004 
Django Reinhardt should probably never have been able to play the guitar as an adult. He lost the use of two fingersin a fire when he was young, & as a result had to alter his playing style so that the used only two fingers on his left hand. Instead of finding this a disability, he used it to develop a style that is different from most other guitarists of the period.
This CD covers his earliest works, dealing mostly with his 'Hot Club of France' days. There are plenty of standout tracks here, along with the skills of Stephane Grappelli, both of whom benefitted greatly from the collaboration.
Favourites for me are 'Tiger Rag', 'Djangology', 'Sweet Georgia Brown' & 'Swing Guitars'. Of course, everyone is going to have their favourites, & these are just mine at the moment, but next time I will probably pick out different numbers.
This box set really is a bargain, & I would recommend it to anyone who has ever had an interestin jazz guitar, but it will also appeal to anyone that loves good music.
Continental Bliss - By: Lousson, 25 Feb 2004 First of I must commend on such a great price on the five CD box set. It illustrates the first half of Django's career, dealing with his stay at the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. Chronologically placed, the songs simply ooze beauty. Beauty notin the sense of a cello holding a long minor notein the midst of a self contrived orchestra, but simply because the musicians are musicians. The tracks demonstrate their knowledge & ability as musicians. The improvisational gypsy jazz style sound amazingly fresh for music from the 30's, ranging from classics such Dinah, Tiger Rag, Improvisation, Swing from Paris, just to name a few. The music bears the etiquette & progressive prowess which are evidentin alot of contemprary music. To hear Reinhardt, Grappelli & Vola pump up the pacein My Sweet is extremely gratifying. The several takes of certain songs demonstrate the how good Django & Stephane are at improvisation,in some cases the Hot Club may change certain songs to & extent where the end result is simply perfection. For example the several takes of Japanese Sandman on CD 3 show the development & progress during each take, they finally settle with an inspiring chilled version.
If anything, the box set suffers because some of the early recordings are of low sound quality. It states that the surface noise have been cleared up & everything given a good clean to give the best possible sound. However I have heard better recordings of Nagasaki, Swing Guitars etc on CD 4. Saying so, this does not affect the enjoyment much,in fact i am nick picking!
This box set is highly recommending!
Phenomenal! - By: , 07 May 2001 This (almost) chronological anthology offers unbeatable value for money. I was looking for a compilation of Reinhardt & Grappelli for ages & was not disapointed - this set features bothin equal measure & each track fills you with breathless admiration for their exuberant brilliance...why wait?
Django At His Very Best - By: , 28 Feb 2001 This is what formed all the rock & blues music we hear today. This is what started it all. Had it not been for that fire which damaged his left hand, maybe Django wouldn't have become the legend that he is today. Honeysuckle Rose & Georgia Brown (both with Stephane Grapelli & the Hot Club of France) are the stand-out tracks. He is the original master & still a refreshing sound. Buy this set NOW!!
Superb collection of Django at his best -amazing value! - By: , 27 Nov 2000 I hesitated before buying this 5 CD set as I thought the price of 11.99 was for each CD. I was wrong, this price for the whole set makes this an unmissable bargain! The music is of course brilliant, including many tracks that I had not heard previously on other compilations. I particularly find Django's style accompanying singers fascinating, & a refreshing change. I cannot recommend this set too highly!
