Richard Galliano - French Touch (1998)

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Richard Galliano - French Touch (1998)

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Tango accordion has a clear icon in the late Astor Piazzolla, but these days Richard Galliano is making a strong case for being the premier jazz accordionist. He's as lyrical as one needs, swings like mad, or brings tempos down to a sensual jog with passion and soul. When called upon, he can play a gut-wrenching tango or two himself. For this effort he's joined by two different crack rhythm sections, the brilliant Jean-François Jenny-Clark and Daniel Humair (seven tracks), or the slightly cut below Remi Vignolo and Andre Ceccarelli (four tracks), bass and drums respectively. It's not hard to hear a distinctly French but improvisationally Americanized sound. The lone standard, "You Must Believe in Spring", is one of many waltzes, but this one jumps from second to fifth gear, Galliano rapidly flying through the changes. The title track is also quick, with "Augusta" more a sprightly 3/4, while "L'Envers du Décor" is an easier modal three beat. Nods to Brazilian Hermeto Pascoal are heard on his composition "Bébé" and the mallets on drums and heavy conga beat-based fanfare and theme of "Passarinho". Galliano plays his accordion and whistles in unison on both tracks. Soprano saxophonist Michel Portal swings with Galliano, Humair, and Clark on the 6/8 "J.F.", while Clark duets with Galliano on "Sanguine", which is far from bloody, more like sweet sangria. "Heavy Tango" is as it is titled – hard-driving and no holds barred – and there's a slow samba, "Sanfona", one of nine of Galliano's written works. Even when the swing is light, as on "Caruso," Galliano's button pushing is active, pulsing, and popping. There's much to like on this, Galliano's most engaging CD. Perhaps some will beg for more variation, like the Portal cut. But these rhythm sections, especially Europe's finest Clark and Humair, push Galliano's artistry to greater heights, providing the listener with a unique experience in a jazz and even more so in a world music context. Highly recommended.

Review by William Ruhlmann, Allmusic.com

The squeeze box is not an instrument one associates with jazz, but virtuoso French-Italian accordionist, Richard Galliano, is sure to change this. Galliano is joined by some superb musicians: bassists Remi Vignolo and Jean-Francois Jenny-Clark (who died of cancer shortly after these sessions were recorded); drummers Daniel Humair and Andre Ceccarelli; guitarist Jean-Marie Ecay; and soprano saxophonist Michel Portal. On these twelve tunes Galliano demonstrates mastery at executing rapid intricate changes full of jazz feeling. His influences are vast, though, with inclusions that range from the thundering “Heavy Tango,” to the italianate “Caruso,” to the Brazilian tune “Bebe” by Hermeto Pascual. There’s also the Michel Legrand tune, “You Must Believe in Spring,” and Galliano’s own “Passarim,” on which the accordion’s opening bars suggest the start of an Irish reel. And always he induces dreams of springtime promenades on Parisian boulevards. He is a revelation.

Review by Marcela Breton, JazzTimes.com

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Richard Galliano - French Touch (1998)

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Richard Galliano - French Touch (1998)

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Richard Galliano - French Touch (1998)

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