Florin Niculescu - Django Tunes

Styles: Violin Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:16
Size: 109,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:43)  1. Coquette
(2:44)  2. Brick Top
(3:11)  3. Lentement Mademoiselle
(3:56)  4. Sweet Chorus
(3:09)  5. Souvenirs
(3:21)  6. Dream of You
(4:24)  7. Impromptu
(4:39)  8. Vamp
(4:16)  9. Tears
(3:19) 10. Double Scotch
(2:12) 11. Nuit Saint-Germain-Des-Prés
(4:19) 12. Porto Cabello
(3:57) 13. Vipers Dream

Violinist Florin Nicolescu recorded this set of Django Reinhardt compositions in his native Romania and in Paris, accompanied by a shifting complement of sidemen that included various combinations of two guitarists, two pianists, a bassist, and a drummer. The arrangements are unusual; typically, a musician this enamored of Reinhardt will tend to duplicate the Quintet du Hot Club de France's traditional lineup: one lead guitar, two rhythm guitars, violin, and bass. But Nicolescu has opted for a more standard jazz rhythm section even as he plays in a style heavily influenced by (though not strictly imitative of) Reinhardt's famous partner Stéphane Grappelli. The result is quite effective, though it would have been even more so if the production style made the rhythm instruments a bit more audible and the echo on the violin less pronounced. But some listeners will find the arrangements themselves to be problematic; a large part of what made Reinhardt's music so thrillingly engaging was the relentless, driving beat generated by the twin rhythm guitars, and the more restrained comping of the piano coupled with a less insistent drum set often means a less viscerally powerful sound. But Nicolescu does a fine job of keeping the energy levels high, and his combination of taste and technique is especially impressive on "Sweet Chorus," the swaggering "Double Scotch," and the beautiful composition "Brick Top." "Tears" features a particularly elegant and lovely guitar solo, though unfortunately, the liner notes do not identify the soloists. This may not be the best introduction to the Reinhardt/Grappelli oeuvre, but Nicolescu's slightly different take on this venerable tradition is well worth hearing. ~ Rick Anderson https://www.allmusic.com/album/django-tunes-mw0002014679

Personnel: Violin – Florin Niculescu; Bass – Darryl Hall; Drums – Bruno Ziarelli; Guitar – David Reinhardt, Samson Schmitt; Piano – Florent Gac, Thüryn Mitchell

Django Tunes

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Florin Niculescu - Plays Stéphane Grappelli

Styles: Violin Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:47
Size: 110,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:05)  1. Opportunity
(5:05)  2. Hésitation
(5:42)  3. La Chanson Des Rues
(5:21)  4. Automne
(3:26)  5. Light
(3:35)  6. Tournesol
(2:15)  7. Daphné
(3:26)  8. André
(2:28)  9. Eveline
(2:32) 10. Souvenir De Villingen
(5:28) 11. Old Man River
(5:19) 12. Blues For Stéphane

Sometimes, as far as music goes, one record can lead to another. One hearing of Florin Niculescu's homage to Stephane Grappelli sends the listener back to the old recordings of the Quintette du Hot Club de France, where Grappelli worked his magic with his most famous musical partner, guitar wizard Django Reinhardt. What a joy to listen to Grappelli. Not only could he make the violin sing and swing. He played with fire and passion. There are times that Grappelli seems to make a u-turn on his instrument that is so sharp that the strings are in danger of being broken or indeed are burning up. Now that's music that swings. It is no exaggeration to say that Grappelli's music is safe in the hands of Florin Niculescu. Like Grappelli, Niculescu has the ability to make the violin sing. He doesn't just show off with a lot of fast notes, he makes the music flow effortlessly with passion and commitment. Niculescu has a superb technique and his group consisting of Peter Beets on piano, Bruno Ziarelli on drums and Daryl Hall on bass plus guest guitarists Christian Escoudé; and Marc Fosset are doing a very good job of backing him. They swing comfortably and the record is a treat for the ears from start to finish. Highlights include a take on the classic Reinhardt/Grappelli composition "Daphné," where Niculescu really shows his chops. Elsewhere, he performs a stunning version of "Old Man River" that manages to be both wild and sentimental. It is downright impossible not to like music that swings as infectiously as this and Niculescu can play so even the alley cats of Paris must be dancing. An album like Florin Niculescu Plays Stephane Grappelli is proof that the music Grappelli treasured so much is still alive and not just a nostalgic thing of the past. ~ Jakob Baekgaard https://www.allaboutjazz.com/florin-niculescu-plays-stephane-grappelli-florin-niculescu-blujazz-productions-review-by-jakob-baekgaard.php

Personnel: Florin Niculescu: violin; Peter Beets: piano; Brune Ziarelli: drums; Daryl Hall: bass; Christian Escoud

Plays Stéphane Grappelli

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