Stephane Grapelli, Martin Taylor - We've Got The World On A String (1981)

Artist: Stephane Grapelli, Martin Taylor
Title Of Album: We've Got The World On A String
Year Of Release: 1981
Label: EMI Records
Genre: Jazz
Format: FLAC (Tracks)+CUE, LOG
Total Time: 00:45:07
Total Size: 179 mb

Bridging a generation gap of some 48 years, the ageless Stephane Grappelli took on the demanding project of a duo album with guitarist Martin Taylor, his American sideman who was then 25 years old. But it was no big deal, for Grappelli and Taylor had been jamming together casually before concerts in the green rooms for a long time, so these tracks probably just rolled right off their fingers into the tape machines, unedited. Grappelli is still in marvelous technical shape, playing in pretty much the same elegant Continental jazz fashion, and Taylor is a capable, tasteful player, with some unevenness in tone, on acoustic guitar. That said, this session admittedly reaches true ignition only in patches, for Taylor usually doesn’‘t provide enough liftoff for Grappelli to fly. One high point is “Ol’’ Man River,” which begins with a quote from “Dixie” by Taylor and finally begins to swing midway through, and the concluding take on Django Reinhardt’‘s “Daphne” finds Grappelli recapturing much of his old swinging fervor. Each of them gets a solo spot—Grappelli the grandiose impressionistic piano solo “Je N’‘Sais Plus” and Taylor a so-so improvisation called “Manhattan Tea Party.” As in the cases of many duo collaborations, the fact that these two gentlemen seem to be enjoying themselves immensely doesn’‘t necessarily guarantee that the listener will take equal pleasure at all times. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide



Tracks:

01 She’s Funny That Way/I got A Woman Crazy For Me
02 Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
03 Manhattan Tea Party
04 Here, There & Everywhere
05 I Can’t Believe That Youre in Love With Me
06 Ol’ Man River
07 It Had To Be You
08 Je N’sais Plus
09 I’ve Got The World.On A Sting
10 Memoires De Mes Reves/Daphne

Personnel:

STEPHANE GRAPPELLI - VIOLIN & PIANO
MARTIN TAYLOR - ACOUSTIC & ELECTRIC GUITAR


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