Search - Stephane Grappelli: Live in San Francisco on DVD

Music that never grows old

Adam Haus | Evanston, IL United States | 04/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A great live set (two actually) that shows why Stephane was able to make any song, old or new, sound like it was written the night he played it. The combination of traditional and modern sounds in this quartet is lovely, and all players add their particular strengths to the mix. When Stephane plays the electric violin, it's as if he was born to it, and the interplay between Martin Taylor and Diz Disley, with their very different guitar styles, is great fun. For the money, it's well worth having.

Only one complaint: the camera work, especially in the outdoor section, is naturally terrible, as it is on almost every music film I've ever seen. I personally just want to watch the musicians play (so I can steal their stuff!), not see "artistic" shots of the crowd etc. But don't let that bother you; this is a wonderful DVD.

Note that track 14 is mislabeled on the DVD; it's actually "Time After Time" by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne, not "Danny Boy.""

More than hoped for

GS | NJ | 12/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After hearing many CDs of Grappelli, which have been mostly consistently wonderful, I was a little worried about finally seeing him for the 1st time: even though this is an edited VHS still, sometimes a person just doesn't come off as good as his art.But this VHS has been even more than I hoped for. The production is as low-key as it gets, no narration, no intros, no background. But it captures an hour's worth of wonderful live performances that had me delightedly clapping along with the audiences after each number.Now I realize why the music grabs me so. After seeing Grappelli, it is apparent that the warmth that comes from his music is the natural extension of a sunny, generous, embracing, and confident personality. And the band that plays with him is obviously in tune with his art. This is a great little video of a great, great artist and performer."

Live In San Francisco 1982

tom heiman | san diego | 03/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"16072 · Stephane Grappelli
Live In San Francisco 1982
Two "sessions" from 1982 with the legendary violinist who became famous together with Django Reinhardt; On July 4th Grappelli is playing the "string swing" tradition with guitarist Martin Taylor, among others, and on July 7th David Grisman Band is special guest. Great acoustic guitar and string jazz."