In the 1990s, jazz tribute albums could be incredibly predictable, with young tenor saxophonists paying tribute to
John Coltrane by emulating his tone and playing his best-known songs exactly like he played them, or young trumpeters saluting
Miles Davis by trying to sound like a carbon copy of him on yet another version of "So What" or "Solar."
Spirit of Django is
Martin Taylor's tribute to fellow guitarist
Django Reinhardt, and thankfully, this is one tribute album that's interesting and unpredictable instead of cliché-ridden. Though
Taylor's love of
Reinhardt's legacy is evident throughout the album, the guitarist never sounds like an outright clone. His individuality comes through on
Reinhardt pieces (including "Nuages" and "Minor Swing"), as well as
Fats Waller's "Honeysuckle Rose" and the standards "Night and Day" and "Lady Be Good." To his credit,
Taylor makes some unlikely choices.
Pat Metheny's "James," for example, isn't something you'd expect to hear on a
Reinhardt tribute, yet
Taylor's interpretation fits in perfectly. This excellent CD is highly recommended to admirers of both
Taylor and
Reinhardt. ~ Alex Henderson