Hot Club of 52nd Street

by Hot Club Of 52nd Street

Overview

It is hard to imagine two more appropriate guitarists to bring together for a tribute to the great Django Reinhardt than Bucky Pizzarelli and Howard Alden. They're joined by two other veterans, violinist Johnny Frigo and bassist Michael Moore, for this exciting set recorded at the A. C. Pianocraft Recital Hall in New York City, though it has the intimate sound of a recording made in a small nightclub. Although this is obviously a salute to the partnership of Reinhardt with violinist Stephane Grappelli, the approach is fresh due to interaction between the musicians and their frequently humorous solos. Frigo inserts a bit of pizzicato violin as the two guitar masters set the pace with Moore for a rapid fire take of "Tangerine." Reinhardt's "Nuages" has long been a favorite of guitarists, so Alden and Pizzarelli open this standard by themselves before they switch to the chugging rhythm made famous by the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. The interplay between Alden and Pizzarelli is incredible in the old chestnut "Avalon." The quartet finishes with a blazing interpretation of "I Got Rhythm." The only caveat about this terrific live session is the audience's insistence on regular enthusiastic applause as one solo gives way to the next, which results in drowning out the music itself. While the musicians likely appreciated the crowd's approval, it's a shame that they couldn't hold themselves in check until the conclusion of each performance. ~ Ken Dryden

Product Details

Release Date:	05/25/2004
Label:	Chesky Records
UPC:	0090368027122
Rank:	185844

Tracks

1. Rosetta  - Howard Alden  - Johnny Frigo  - Earl Hines  - Bucky Pizzarelli  - William Henri Woode  -  Hot Club of 52nd Street
2. On the Sunny Side of the Street  - Howard Alden  - Dorothy Fields  - Johnny Frigo  - Jimmy McHugh  - Bucky Pizzarelli  -  Hot Club of 52nd Street
3. Tangerine  - Howard Alden  - Johnny Frigo  - Bucky Pizzarelli  - Victor Schertzinger  -  Hot Club of 52nd Street
4. Nuages  - Howard Alden  - Johnny Frigo  - Bucky Pizzarelli  - Spencer Williams  -  Hot Club of 52nd Street
5. Strike Up the Band  - Howard Alden  - Johnny Frigo  - George Gershwin  - Ira Gershwin  - Bucky Pizzarelli  -  Hot Club of 52nd Street
6. Some of These Days  - Howard Alden  - Shelton Brooks  - Johnny Frigo  - Bucky Pizzarelli  -  Hot Club of 52nd Street
7. Avalon  - Howard Alden  - Buddy DeSylva  - Johnny Frigo  - Al Jolson  - Bucky Pizzarelli  -  Hot Club of 52nd Street
8. Melancholy Baby  - Howard Alden  - Ernie Burnett  - Johnny Frigo  - Bucky Pizzarelli  -  Hot Club of 52nd Street
9. I've Got Rhythm  - Howard Alden  - Johnny Frigo  - George Gershwin  - Ira Gershwin  - Bucky Pizzarelli  -  Hot Club of 52nd Street

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Hot Club Of 52nd Street   Primary Artist
Howard Alden   Primary Artist,Guitar (Acoustic)
Bucky Pizzarelli   Primary Artist,Guitar (Acoustic)
Johnny Frigo   Primary Artist,Violin
Michael Moore   Double Bass,Bass

Technical Credits

Barry Wolifson   Audio Engineer,Engineer
David Chesky   Audio Production,Producer
Victor Schertzinger   Composer
George Gershwin   Composer
Ira Gershwin   Composer
Earl Hines   Composer
Norman Chesky   Executive Producer
Al Jolson   Composer
Buddy DeSylva   Composer
Jimmy McHugh   Composer
Dorothy Fields   Composer
Lisa J. Marks   Project Director
Rick Eckerle   Engineer,Production Coordination
Matthew Epstein   Production Assistant
Bryn Chernoff   Production Assistant
Ernie Burnett   Composer
Chip Stern   Liner Notes
Shelton Brooks   Composer
Spencer Williams   Composer
William Henri Woode   Composer
Joel Nakamura   Cover Art
Andrij Borys   Art Direction