Gary Potter - Minor Swing (2000)

Tracklist

01. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
02. I Love You
03. Manoir de Mes Reves
04. Troublant Bolero
05. Belleville
06. Wave
07. Tears
08. Manha de Carnaval
09. Out of Nowhere
10. Minor Swing
11. J'Attendrai
12. Sweet Georgia Brown

Liverpool, England, native Gary Potter, on this maiden album for the String Jazz label, reveals the substantial influence of Django Reinhardt on his guitar. Couple this with the guitarist's love for American country music and the outcome is a novel session of engaging strumming. Putting on the mantle of Stephane Grappelli, or a country fiddler whenever the occasion calls for it, is Christian Garrick. To put the finishing touches on the evoking of the Quintet of the Hot Club of Jazz, Nils Solberg's rhythm guitar plays the part that Django's brother Joseph had in that seminal group. Tunes like "Sweet Georgia Brown" and "Minor Swing" can't help but conjure up those groundbreaking pre-World War II recordings by the Quintet of the Hot Jazz Club of France as they bring back the power and feel of those famous Reinhardt-Grappelli duets. However, this album is by no means a Reinhardt clone. Potter's guitar takes on a zither sound on "J'Attendrai" and a clear Brazilian flavor with "Wave" and "Manha de Carnival." The exotic opening of "Tears" could be the accompaniment for fandango dancers. The springy "I Love You" is not the well-known tune by Cole Porter, but the one written for the forgotten 1923 musical Little Jessie James and made popular by Paul Whiteman. But these are interesting but temporary diversions from the work at hand. "Out of Nowhere" entices the listener back to the world of guitar/violin renderings at their most enjoyable. This session benefits from the remarkable technique of all the players, not just the major protagonists. One example is the lyrical base solo by Andy Crowder on "Minor Swing." Potter's debut with String Jazz is an auspicious one and is recommended.

Musicians:
Guitar – Gary Potter
Bass – Andy Crowdy
Rhythm Guitar – Nils Solberg
Violin – Christian Garrick

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