Bireli Lagrene ~ Swing 81 ~ CD

Re-issue of the then 14 year old Manouche prodigy's second recording (1981). The music owes a huge debt to Django of course (Lagrene by this age would have probably been able to play every phrase ever recorded by Django), but Lagrene's gifts for inspired lyricism and sheer guitar virtuosity made this LP a real head-turner. 10 acoustic numbers backed by rhythm guitars and bass, and five on electric guitar. The recording has its historical value, but it is the young teenager's unpretentious inventiveness, and the inspired freshness he brings to the performances that make this record a real treat for Gipsy Jazz aficionados.