mike.holmes's Full Review: Yerba Buena Bounce * by The Hot Club Of San Franci...
I'm quite sure that I'm not the first to use the term "retro-jazz" nor will I be the last, but I believe the term describes this tremendous group of musicians perfectly. Even the liner notes to the album hint at this description:
"It's a time machine, and as the first notes jump out from the guitars and violin of the Hot Club of San Francisco, you will feel yourself instantly transported back to Paris in the 1930's."
The notes go on to point out that the music here most closely resembles the "rollicking string jazz of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli's Quintette du Hot Club de France."
This French quintet were the first recognized jazz musicians outside of the United States. The two leaders, Reinhardt and Grappelli, were as different as night and day. Yet, their music transformed the rather staid music scene in Europe to a joyful sound which had never been heard before. Django is legendary as one of the very first guitarists to play a lead instrument. He was a Gypsy who suffered a major burn injury which left him only his thumb and two fingers to play the guitar. He was unpredictable and undisciplined but he could play the acoustic guitar as no one before him. Grappelli, on the other hand, was classically trained violinist whose play was both elegant and disciplined. Together, they made beautiful, swinging music.
The Hot Club of San Francisco has been together since 1993 and this is their tenth album. The founder of the band is guitarist Paul (Pazzo) Mehling. The violinist is Evn Price. The "rhythm" section behind the two soloists is Ari Munkres on bass, and guitarists Jason Vanderford and Jeff Magidson. This unusual quintet with no piano or drum is the exact lineup as the Reinhardt-Grappelli group.
The music is spirited and fun to listen to throughout the album. Five of the seventeen songs on the album were composed by either Django or Stephane while leader Melling composed three of the cuts On two bonus tracks, Mehling also sings and the band is joined by Bill Carter on clarinet, Marc Caprone on trumpet and Clint Baker on trombone/tuba.
Here's my take on a few of the songs:
1. MYSTERY PACIFIC-Reinhardt/Grappelli 2:26
Dubbed a "train" song for obvious reasons when heard, this is an amazing display of playing ability by first Mehling on lead guitar and then Price on violin. The amazing thing about this music is that, although it is now over 70 years old, the group's and the music's sound is as fresh today as always.
2. HOT LIPS-Busse/Davis/Lange 4:24
Price starts off another slightly slower celebration on the second cut on a soft, sensual violin solo. Mehling plays a solo that I swear could by Django. It's not just that Mehling sounds like Django, he's also captured the Gypsy's emotional qualities. Django's music, although acoustic, influenced later guitarists Charlie Christian and Les Paul and we can see why in Mehling's spirited play. Violin and lead guitar trade "two's" and "fours" throughout the song.
3. I'M HAPPY JUST TO DANCE WITH YOU-Lennon/McCartney 4:40
This beautiful composition is a complete tempo change from the raucous openers and it virtually shines through the speakers with a heartwarming romanticism. I frankly don't remember the Beatle's rendition of this song, but this group plays it beautifully with a soulful, longing quality.
4. SWAY-Gimbel/Rosas 3:42
This is a cover of a song made famous by Dean Martin. Also called "Quien Sera", Italian American Price is quoted that "Italianos are seriously under-represented in the Gypsy swing world!" This is another joyful song full of life and excitement. It's impossible not to sway to it.
6. SOUVENIR DE VILLINGEN-Grappelli 3:09
Price is featured here on a song written by Grappelli in 1979 which emphasizes Gypsy jazz history. The song is achingly beautiful with a passion that is smouldering softly in the air. Price does his mentor Grappelli justice.
7. TICKLE TOE-Lester Young 3:38
This is a true swing song composed by one of the greatest tenor sax players of all time. Mehling's lead guitar is backed by the bass and two rhythm guitars in a manner that reminds me of the great guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli. Price's violin takes the sax part of the song and it does swing.
9. LULLABYE-Mehling 3:40
This composition fulfills the prediction of a psychic who told Mehling that he would write music and that he should compose a lullabye. He started composed soon after that but didn't write this gorgeous number until fifteen years later. Both he and Price are featured on the soothing melody.
11. YERBA BUENA BOUNCE-Mehling 3:51
This song is a tribute to the San Francisco band "Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band" which Price said was at the heart of a "trad jazz revival" that influenced Reinhardt and others. It swings with a gypsy swing that keeps the foot tapping from the opening note.
12. STARDUST-Carmichael/Parish 4:13
I had to include this beauty as it was my late father's favorite song and one of mine. Here, bassist Munkres opens the tune which is, in itself, unusual. Munkres plays the melody beautiful as the guitars comp behind him for over half of the song. Mehling then takes the lead on guitar and again plays it with an understated beauty. Wonderful rendition.
16. GONG OH-Paolo Conte 3:10
This amazing song is a combination of Dixieland, Gypsy swing music. Mehling sings in either Italian or French while the cats swing behind him. Mehling's voice is similar to Louis Armstrong's. I'm not sure I've ever heard a song quite like this but it's fun.
17. JAM: SOME OF THESE DAYS-Brooks Shelton 4:08
Mehling again sings, this time in English without the Armstrong sound. It's another swinging song that remains fresh although it's been around forever. The horns provide a true retro feeling.
You don't have to be a jazz fan to love this album. It's full of joy and mischief. A nod to the past with an everlasting tribute to music for all time.
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