The
Hot Club of San Francisco
is more than a tribute band re-creating the recordings of
Django Reinhardt
,
Stephane Grappelli
and the
Quintette du Hot Club de France
; the group covers pieces from many different eras never performed by the group which inspired them. On their tenth CD,
Yerba Buena Bounce
, the
, which has identical instrumentation to the French group (lead guitar, violin, two rhythm guitars and a bass), leader
Paul Mehling
, violinist
Evan Price
and the rhythm section
swing
like mad in their updated treatment of the
QHCF
's speeding locomotive represented by
"Mystery Pacific"
and the brisk, chugging
"Black and White."
But they also successfully convert modern
pop
songs into
gypsy
material, such as
the Beatles
' ballad
"I'm Happy Just to Dance with You"
(adding
Seth Asarnow
on bandoneon) and
Norman Gimbel
's
"Sway"
(which adds mandolin master
David Grisman
).
Mehling
proves himself as a composer as well, contributing the upbeat
"Number Two"
and the tender
"Lullaby"
(the latter adding both
Asarnow
and
Grisman
). If that's not enough,
adds campy vocals to
"Gong Oh"
"Some of These Days."
Fans of
owe it to themselves to investigate these swinging, beautifully recorded sessions by the
;
is very much alive in their hands! ~ Ken Dryden