Swing From Paris

“Menilmontant”

Swing From Paris’ group name is something of a misnomer, the quartet actually hail from the Cotswolds and specialise in the “French Swing” of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli. The self released “Menilmontant” was recorded in 2009 and represents the group’s début album. It’s a highly professional piece of work that sees the group tackling material largely associated with Django Reinhardt and delivered in classic “Hot Club” style by violinist Fenner Curtis, guitarists Andy Bowen (lead) and Stefan Doucette (rhythm) plus double bassist John Vickers. For the purpose of this recording Doucette (from Colorado, USA) replaces regular rhythm man Steve Laming.

The opening and title track is by Charles Trenet and appears to reference a Paris Metro station. It’s lively start with Curtis and Bowen delivering sparkling solos above the brisk rhythms of Doucette and Vickers.

“For Sephora” is a tour de force for both front line soloists with Doucette and Vickers offering relaxed but steady support.

“Tears” demonstrates the more sensitive side of the quartet whereas “Django’s Tiger” is as jaunty as the title suggests with Bowen’s playing suitably nimble. Both tunes feature strong contributions from Curtis, a classically trained violinist who cites Grapelli and the Dutch revivalist Tim Kliphuis as his main inspirations when he moves into his beloved “gypsy jazz” territory.

Curtis also excels with his dramatic bowing on “Jealousy” with the following “Passion” acting as a focus for the agile fret work of Andy Bowen.

“There Will Never Be Another You” begins with the solemn tones of Curtis’ violin but soon moves swiftly up the gears with solos from Bowen and Curtis. There is also an extended feature for bassist John Vickers. Vickers is a fascinating character who plays several instruments and works as a luthier from his “Vintage Strings” shop in Cheltenham. He is also the founder of “Manouche Guitars” which are used not only by his band mates Bowen and Doucette but also by many other well known guitarists, among them the American, Howard Alden.

“Besame Mucho”, which I’ve always considered to be a bit of a novelty song, is given a suitably relaxed and playful arrangement. There’s another effective feature for Vickers’ deeply resonant bass alongside the usual guitar and violin solos. “Swing ‘39” is a mainstay of the Reinhardt repertoire ans receives a similar treatment with Curtis’s violin to the fore.

“Si Tu Savais” represents another example of the quartet’s more sensitive side. A slow, brooding, blues inflected arrangement is grounded by Vickers’ bass and features atmospheric solos from Bowen and Curtis.

To close the group treat us to an idiosyncratic “Hot Club” style arrangement of “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise” which comes of something of a surprise and is really rather fun. Except that it’s not the end, there’s a secret track which I recognise but can’t put a title to. No matter it’s a very welcome bonus as it builds from a duet between Bowen and Curtis to a full quartet number complete with another feature for the excellent Vickers. A word too for Doucette in the frequently over looked rhythm guitarist’s role; he plays immaculately throughout the album.

Whilst there may not be any great surprises on “Menilmontant” this is nevertheless an enjoyable and very entertaining album. Although not the most radical interpreters of the Reinhardt legacy the quartet nevertheless add a very British quirkiness to the Hot Club sound. Everybody plays well and the album is very professionally recorded and produced.

I would think that the quartet’s live appearances are very enjoyable. They have played the Fringe at both the Brecon and Cheltenham jazz festivals and have also travelled to the US to appear at the DjangoFest in New Mexico. The latter may be a bit too far to travel for British audiences but I’d suggest that anybody living in the group’s catchment area of the Cotswolds and its environs should do their best to check them out.

Further information on this album and on forthcoming live appearances can be found at http://www.swingfromparis.com

 

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