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The Radio 3 Boards > The Music Boards > Jazz > Stephane Grappelli
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Author Topic: Stephane Grappelli  (Read 516 times)
greenfox
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« on: 18:51:48, 29-12-2007 »
Interesting documentary on Stephane Grappelli here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/feature/pip/gad70/

I must say though, I don't 'get' jazz violins - not when they feature as almost a singular instrument with only minimal accompaniment. I've occasionally heard some good stuff quite randomly, but with a strong rythmic backing with drums, bass, etc.

Kennedy described the violin as having 'warmth' and 'charm' and it certainly does, much like the guitar, but I think in both cases they lack the power and flexibility needed for good jazz.
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BobbyZ
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« Reply #1 on: 19:08:29, 29-12-2007 »
A good companion programme to the Jazz Library last night on Django. I'd agree that guitar isn't a major instrument in jazz but Django must be the exception. The Wes Montgomery kind of school I find a little too well behaved for my tastes and the more recent exponents have to be careful to steer clear of too overt a rock influence and often don't succeed. Which can provide interesting music but undermines any pure jazz musicians in the line up. A bit like Nigel Kennedy with his electric violin and wah wah pedals. Exciting stuff when he's on form but maybe not jazz ?
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Dreams, schemes and themes
greenfox
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« Reply #2 on: 20:25:36, 29-12-2007 »
Yes I enjoyed the Django show, particularly as I'd just got a couple of his discs and was exploring the fella. I think there was also some Django on the JRR show a bit later.

He was certainly very handy with his fingers, though again I'm not warming very well to it for the same reasons as Grappelli - not enough accompaniment; the emphasis on the guitar isn't enough for me. There's a Wes Montgomery CD I like quite a lot - 'Round Midnight' - and its notable for having strong bass lines and other accompaniment:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Round-Midnight-Wes-Montgomery/dp/B000000JKT/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1198959471&sr=8-2

I've not heard any more Wes, but read recently he influenced George Benson so suspect that he's mostly known for jazz-lite which is not my interest, so maybe that's exceptional.

Not really interested in Kennedy and jazz; I know he moved towards it quite recently but I've not heard anything he's done and shan't go out of my way to investigate it.
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autoharp
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« Reply #3 on: 08:15:39, 30-12-2007 »
Grappelly was an interesting keyboard player as well, with a rather sophisticated harmonic taste . . .
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John W
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« Reply #4 on: 13:17:46, 30-12-2007 »
Quote from: greenfox on 20:25:36, 29-12-2007
Not really interested in Kennedy and jazz; I know he moved towards it quite recently but I've not heard anything he's done and shan't go out of my way to investigate it.

greenfox, with that sort of approach I can see how you miss out on a lot of good music.

Ever heard jazz harp from Mario 'Harp' Lorenzi's band?
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greenfox
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« Reply #5 on: 21:54:47, 30-12-2007 »
I think you need to re-address your attitude, thinking, and manner of posting. There is no indication there what my "approach" is, nor that there's "good music" you know about that I don't.

I am more than happy to consider new discoveries offered in a friendly spirit; I am not predisposed to suffer erroneous judgements and an affected superiority.
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John W
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« Reply #6 on: 23:09:03, 30-12-2007 »
Quote from: greenfox on 21:54:47, 30-12-2007
There is no indication there what my "approach" is, nor that there's "good music" you know about that I don't.

I beg to differ; you said you knew that Kennedy had perfomed some jazz work but you haven't heard it. If it's good music then you have missed out, that's all I meant.

My mention of 'Harp' Lorenzi is a bit of fun. I enjoy his music but I'm guessing you wouldn't or shan't go out of your way to investigate it.  Wink
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oliver sudden
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« Reply #7 on: 01:15:17, 31-12-2007 »
Ollie with mod hat on here.

Can we perhaps keep the discussion either civil or a bit heavier on the substance?

Or preferably both?
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greenfox
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« Reply #8 on: 01:22:44, 31-12-2007 »
Having wasted about 45 minutes of my time here on bullshit, I'm not sure I have any feeling left for pursuing a perfectly civil and interesting topic with people like John W floating around and the predisposition he has.

It was perfectly civil and substantive; now it isn't.
http://r3ok.myforum365.com/index.php?topic=2371.0
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MT Wessel
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« Reply #9 on: 01:26:35, 31-12-2007 »
There is nothing heavy about Jazz man. Greenfox ain't heavy. He's my Brother ...  Sad
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lignum crucis arbour scientiae
oliver sudden
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« Reply #10 on: 01:28:18, 31-12-2007 »
Ollie with mod hat on again.

Greenfox: with respect, that's not what I mean by substance. I'd like to request that posts from here on in stick to the topic.
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greenfox
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« Reply #11 on: 01:33:31, 31-12-2007 »
And I'd like to reiterate that: this thread began with both substance and interesting civility. And since I initiated it, thus, I think I'm entitled to comment on what happened and what my intentions were....though I'm not sure I now have any further interest.
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oliver sudden
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« Reply #12 on: 01:37:31, 31-12-2007 »
Greenfox: I think it's clear to all what everyone's intentions were. I repeat: I would be grateful if we would now let the matter rest.

I'm going to lock this thread for the time being. If anyone actually wants to post about Stéphane Grappelli before it's unlocked again, please send a personal message to the mods: me, Ron Dough and Morticia.
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John W
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« Reply #13 on: 21:59:36, 08-01-2008 »
I've never been sure we had many Grappelli fans on this forum. I've long enjoyed his early work with the Hot Club of France (and he also recorded during WWII in Britain with Hatchett's Swingtette) and despite some rather negative reporting (about Grappelli's thoughts) I still adore his work with Yehudi Menuhin and recently added a second LP of theirs to my collection.

Before Grappelli, if anyone is interested, there was Italian/American Joe Venuti. Thisiswhat he was doing with Eddie Lang (g) in 1928:

Dinah

if that link doesn't work, or you want to hear more, here is the Amazon link

and there was also Eddie South, here in 1933 playing

Old Man Harlem

or Eddie South

There were also some stars of the jazz fiddle in the British dance bands, the likes of Hugo Rignold, Ben Frankel, Eric Siday.Two of which went on to make careers in classical and, in Siday's case, in 'jingles'.


John W
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George Garnett
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« Reply #14 on: 22:33:38, 08-01-2008 »
Quote from: John W on 21:59:36, 08-01-2008
There were also some stars of the jazz fiddle in the British dance bands, the likes of Hugo Rignold, Ben Frankel, Eric Siday.Two of which went on to make careers in classical and, in Siday's case, in 'jingles'.

Goodness, I never knew that before!

Hugo Rignold I remember as the conductor of the very first Petrushka I ever heard on an LP with the CBSO, I think, in the mid-1960s or thereabouts . It may not be the finest ever recording of Petrushka but, before it vanished many years ago, I must have played it more often than any other recording of anything I've ever possessed.

And Ben Frankel turned into Benjamin Frankel the composer? Well, dang me. The things you learn on this site.

And, yes, Joe Venuti has always been a favourite. In fact somewhere or other, if I can locate it, I think I have got a CD of him and Zoot Sims which must have been recorded about the same time as Hugo Rignold's Petrushka  -  but I'd never connected the two before.

 

« Last Edit: 22:38:57, 08-01-2008 by George Garnett » Logged
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