and Play Along CD -
Volume Five THE
SONGS 1. Blue
Drag 2. Tea for
Two 3. Blues
Clair 4. Stompin at
Decca 5. Django's
Tiger 6. Avalon 7. Sheik 8. Shine 9. Swing
Guitars 10. Lulu
Swing 11. Swing
49 12. After You've
Gone
So, have you had
enough Django yet ? We didn't think so. Welcome to Book 5. We have
dedicated this volume to those classic songs in the gypsy swing
repertoire that are vehicles for swing musicians to jam out on. They
have stood the test of time. They have gone the distance. They must
be good to play.
We have included a blues in both major and minor keys, a rhythm changes hybrid and several chord progressions and harmonic movements that were used by composers as the backbone of standards writing for over 50 years.
Songs like Shine, Avalon, The Sheik of Araby, Stompin' at Decca and After You've Gone have been recorded at medium to medium/fast tempos to help you pick up your technique and improve your skills.
The most difficult tune and by far the most challenging is the classic Django's Tiger. This head will keep you up at nights. It has been regarded as one of Django Reinhardt's finest recorded moments. Although technically very demanding, we have slowed it right down to give you a chance to get it under your fingers before trying it at the original tempo. We will also introduce you to a selection of classic Django rhythm intros and rhythm breaks.
All in all this volume represents an important selection of kick arse Django standards in various keys and tempos that you will hear called by gypsy jazz musicians on the bandstand, in the dressing room, under a tree in the square, down the pub, in the park, at the bar, in a tent, on the ferry, round the camp fire or even in the festival car park in towns and cities all over the Django world.
REVIEWS - RNTB5
Neil Andersson - Pearl Django, USA
" I know the students I have really benefit from the books, especially since you're providing a common format for jamming. They all know the tunes and the changes. My Hat's off to you ! "
Ted Gottsegen - Just Jazz Guitar, USA
Robin and Paul have done it again. In addition to creating an important learning tool for those yearning to get their feet wet in Jazz Manouche, they also always seem to choose the perfect blend of jazz standards, Reinhardt classics and contemporary Gypsy favorites which perfectly round out the repertoire for any contemporary Gypsy release. "Tea for Two", "The Sheik","Django's Tiger", "Blues Clair" and "Lulu Swing" are among the 12 tunes featured. Accompanied by a CD of rhythm tracks and melody for each song, many of which are available in two speeds for the beginning and more advanced student. Perhaps the best part of these books are the chord shapes which clearly illustrate the different forms common to Jazz Manouche. This book is an indispensable tool for the those who are interested in learning or looking to keep their chops up between gigs.
Dave Harper - email customer, Canada
Whether anyone thinks people should learn by ear or not ( and I'm a big proponent of spending time learning stuff note for note, phrase by phrase ), you would be hard pressed to deny that Robin and Paul have single handedly done more to bring gypsy jazz into the mainstream guitar playing world than almost any English-speaking artist....
There are probably dozens of people whose lives don't allow them the time to transcribe and just want to spend what spare time they have making some good music... and the RNT books fill that niche to a tee.