Fascinating Rhythm - Yehudi Menuhin & Stephane Grappelli

 

Summertime

Fascinating Rhythm

Music Of The Thirties, Album 2

And More Great Standards by Gershwin, Porter and Kern

Plus two Grappelli originals

Yehudi Menuhin / Stephene Grappelli

Violins with Jazz Ensemble

All selections arranged by Max Harris excepting the two Grappelli compositions

Directed by Max Harris

Recording Producer: John Mordler

Engineer: Tony Clark

Art Direction: Marvin Schwartz

Recorded May 21, 22 & 23, 1975 in EMI's Abbey Road Studio No. 1.

Photo: Reg Wilson

Angel S-37156

1975

From the back cover: One of the rare delights of the Seventies has been "Music Of The Thirties" by an incomparable duo: the mercurially brilliant classical virtuosos Yehudi Menuhin and the legendary French master of the jazz violin Stephane Grappelli. The combination of their two diverse styles creates a stunning listening experience that overflows with superb enjoyments.

There is one notable anachronism, of course, in designating the Menuhin-Grappelli performances "Music Of The Thirties." True, the tunes by Gershwin, Porter and Kern were omnipresent in that decade, But such were the era's barriers between "classical" music and jazz that a Menuhin and a Grappelli were hardly likely to meet, let alone perform together. Menuhin (b. 1917) in the Thirties was a teen-age Wunderkind rather much locked into performing the classical repertoire from Bach to Elgar. Grappelli (b. 1910), in his 20's, was attaining worldwide celebrity with guitarist Django Reinhardt in the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. 

In American, Stereo Review magazine's James Goodfriend termed the Menuhin-Grappelli performances "irresistible." He elucidated, "There is a sort of brilliant daffiness about the disc, the palm court brought up to date and raised to an infinitely higher power. The playing is full of wit and daring, the accompaniment apt, and the recording fine. I can virtually guarantee that if you hear one band, you'll buy it."

The listener will almost certainly find Album Two more delightful still. For ready reference, as he faces his speaker, he will hear Grappelli from the left, Menuhin from the right. Now old friends of two years, the violinists mesh like players who've made music together much of their lives. With them from the first album are Alan Clare on piano and  Lennie Bush on bass. Joining in for the first time are Ronnie Ferrell on drums and two fine jazz guitarist Ike Isaacs and Denny Wright, In addition, arrange Max Harris also turns up on piano.

More than ever, Album Two swings – exhilaratingly, ingeniously, captivatingly – with a bedazzlement more potent still that that which led Gramophone's Edward Greenfield to describe the first album fascination:"It is not quite like any pop, jazz or classic record you have ever heard!"

Porter: Just One Of Those Things

Gershwin: Soon

Gershwin: Summertime

Gershwin: Nice Work If You Can Get It

Grappelli: Johnny Aime

Porter: Looking At You

Gershwin: Embraceable You

Gershwin: Fascinating Rhythm

Gershwin: Liza

Kern: Why Do I Love You?

Grappelli: Menuet Pour Menuhin

Gerswhin: 'S Wonderful

Porter: I Get A Kick Out Of You

Kern: All The Things You Are

Gershwin: I Got Rhythm