Django Reinhardt, “The Classic Early Recordings in Chronological Order” (JSP, 2000; tracks recorded 1934-39)

Review:
This wonderful five-disc box is an indispensable collection of prewar, prebop jazz that belongs in the company of your finest Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman sets. Technically, this isn't a true box set--it merely collects five single-disc compilations under one slipcase--but it is infinitely rewarding nonetheless. Disheartened by what he thought were sonically subpar Reinhardt collections, Ted Kendall undertook an ambitious mission to find the best original sources for this classic material and then meticulously remastered them. He wisely opted to leave in some of the surface noise to maintain the clarity and integrity of the music. And what glorious, jubilant music it is! Dating to the very first Quintet of the Hot Club of France sessions in September 1934 (before they'd even established that moniker), the collection includes all the landmark recordings Reinhardt made for Ultraphone, Decca (its English and French labels), and HMV up through the Quintet's 1939 breakup on the eve of World War II. Reinhardt's guitar work is spirited and adventurous throughout--lightning-quick runs, insistent rhythm work, and hybrid "riffs" that seem to split the difference. Nearly all the cuts feature the elegant but vivacious violin work of his most famous foil, Stephane Grappelli, who certainly deserves co-billing on the set. The way the two feed off each other's energy is magical. Despite their well-documented personality clashes, the twosome remains perhaps the most synergistic in jazz history, constantly engaging in their incredible cat-and-mouse games. Often overlooked are the songwriting talents of the two musicians, who contributed several standards to the jazz canon. Though mostly focused on the Quintet recordings, the set detours for such oddities as a pair of solo Reinhardt cuts from 1937 and collaborations with Coleman Hawkins. Simply delightful from beginning to end.

Tracklist:
Disc: 1
1. I Saw Stars - Bert Marshall, Django Reinhardt
2. I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)
3. Dinah
4. Tiger Rag
5. Oh, Lady Be Good
6. I Saw Stars
7. Lily Belle May June - Jerry Mengo, Django Reinhardt
8. Sweet Sue, Just You - Jerry Mengo, Django Reinhardt
9. I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)
10. Continental - Jerry Mengo, Django Reinhardt
11. Blue Drag
12. Swanee River
13. Sunshine of Your Smile
14. Ultrafox
15. Avalon
16. Smoke Rings
17. Clouds
18. Believe It, Beloved
19. I've Found a New Baby
20. St. Louis Blues
21. Crazy Rhythm
22. Sheik of Araby
23. Chasing Shadows
24. I've Had My Moments
25. Some of These Days
26. Djangology

Disc: 2
1. Honeysuckle Rose
2. Sweet Georgia Brown
3. Night and Day
4. My Sweet
5. Souvenirs
6. Daphné
7. Black and White
8. Stompin' at Decca
9. Tornerai (J'Attendrai)
10. If I Had You
11. It Had to Be You
12. Nocturne
13. Flat Foot Floogie
14. Lambeth Walk
15. Why Shouldn't I?
16. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
17. Please Be Kind
18. Louise
19. Improvisation No. 2
20. Undecided
21. H.C.Q. Strut
22. Don't Worry 'Bout Me
23. Man I Love
24. My Sweet
25. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
26. Improvisation No. 2

Disc: 3
1. Billets Doux
2. Swing de Paris
3. Them There Eyes
4. Three Little Words
5. Appel Direct
6. Hungaria
7. Hungaria
8. Jeepers Creepers
9. Jeepers Creepers
10. Swing '39
11. Japanese Sandman
12. I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight
13. I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight
14. Tea for Two
15. Tea for Two
16. My Melancholy Baby
17. Time on My Hands
18. Twelfth Year
19. Twelfth Year
20. My Melancholy Baby
21. Japanese Sandman
22. Tea for Two
23. I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight
24. Hungaria

Disc: 4
1. Blue Moon
2. Avalon
3. What a Diff'rence a Day Made
4. Stardust
5. St. Louis Blues
6. Limehouse Blues
7. I Got Rhythm
8. I've Found a New Baby
9. It Was So Beautiful
10. China Boy
11. Moonglow
12. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
13. I'se A-Muggin'
14. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
15. Oriental Shuffle
16. After You've Gone
17. Are You in the Mood?
18. Limehouse Blues
19. Nagasaki
20. Swing Guitars
21. Georgia on My Mind
22. Shine
23. In the Still of the Night
24. Sweet Chorus

Disc: 5
1. Exactly Like You
2. Charleston
3. You're Driving Me Crazy
4. Tears
5. Solitude
6. Hot Lips
7. Ain't Misbehavin'
8. Rose Room
9. Body and Soul
10. When Day Is Done
11. Runnin' Wild
12. Chicago
13. Liebestraum No. 3
14. Miss Annabelle Lee
15. Little Love, a Little Kiss
16. Mystery Pacific
17. In a Sentimental Mood
18. Sheik of Araby
19. Improvisation
20. Parfum
21. Alabamy Bound
22. Rosetta
23. Stardust
24. Object of My Affection