Featured Artist: Tartamella Django's Clan

CD Title: La Strada Del Tabacco

Year: 2008

Record Label: TRJ Records

Style: Gypsy Jazz

Musicians: Carmelo Tartamella (lead guitar), Jacopo Delfini (rhythm guitar), Carmelo Leotta (bass), Andrea Panitz (vocals and guitar on tracks 4, 9, and 15)

Review:

Traditional gypsy jazz in the style of gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt is Tartamella Django's Clan, La Strada Del Tabacco (Tobacco Road), which delivers a nice blend of original compositions mixed with an assortment of Reinhardt's classics, and a few traditional vocals thrown in for authentic flavor.

Track three, Tartamella's upbeat "Papa, Papa, Papa" is of special note. The two guitars play well off of each other as the lively tune meanders along.

All three bandmembers share the credit for track five, "Sospesa," a solid, well-composed, steady tune with some very nice guitar work, and just a splash of bass for mood enhancement and special accent.

In addition, Leotta's "Schersi Di Signora" and Delfini's "Il Gatto Arancione" get special mention on this album for their lighthearted flair, bounce and toe-tapping verve.

The band perform a strong version of "Tears," on track eleven and closing off the collection on track 15, is an old-style version of Reinhardt's "Nuages," which features the vocals and guitar of guest musician Andrea Panitz.

This splendid mix of musicians takes the listener down La Strada del Tabacco and out to the Italian countryside for a fun and carefree afternoon in the sun.  It is a highly entertaining and most enjoyable excursion!

Record Label Website: http://www.trjrecords.it

Reviewed by: Veronica Timpanelli

Click here for printer-friendly version of review.

Send this page to a friend.