"I got "Paris and London" and JSP's other great box set, "The Classic Early Recordings in Chronological Order," at roughly the same time, and for a while I listened constantly to the "Early Recordings" and pretty much neglected this set. One reason is that the "Early Recordings" are so great that I couldn't tear myself away, but another reason is that the "Paris and London" set includes more large-ensemble recordings that have taken me a little longer to appreciate. By my taste, at least, Django is at his best in small acoustic settings (e.g., in the famous Quintet of the Hot Club of France, or even soloing or just accompanied by piano). "Paris and London" does contain a number of songs by the original Hot Club (including Stephane Grappelli), and most of those rank with the very best on the "Early Recordings" set --- but there are also a number of wartime recordings (made while Grappelli was stranded in London) that have a more standard jazz ensemble sound (featuring Hubert Rostaing on clarinet in place of Grappelli's violin), as well as a few performed with large orchestras, and at first I found those a little less appealing. My view changed a little, though, when I read in Django's biography (by his contemporary, the French music critic Charles Delaunay) that by this stage of his career Django was becoming more interested in composing and arranging than in simply playing guitar, and that he felt there were more musical possibilities in larger groups than within the limitations of the string quintet (three guitars, bass and violin). So I've been going back and listening to these large-ensemble recordings with a new ear, and I guess I can say that it's expanded my musical horizons a little. As a guitarist myself, I'm naturally partial to Django's remarkable lead guitar playing, but with the larger groups his role is more like Duke Ellington's on the piano (that is, using his guitar more as the cohesion behind the arrangements than as a lead instrument). So on these recordings you get a fuller sense of Django's overall musical vision, beyond just his virtuoso guitar playing. In any case, even if you're mainly just interested in hearing Django's guitar, you won't be disappointed, because these recordings include some of his best. Also, I see that one reviewer criticized the sound quality of this set as compared to the "Early Recordings," but I'm not sure I'd agree. That reviewer may have better equipment and a more highly-trained ear than I do, but on my equipment these recordings sound just fine --- and in some cases even more sharp and clear than the "Early Recordings." In any case, don't let that consideration deter you from purchasing this great 4-CD set. If you don't already own the "Classic Early Recordings in Chronological Order," then by all means start with that. Then, if you like that set (and who wouldn't?), don't hesitate to get this one too. They both show Django at his best, and this one in particular shows his versatility and broad musical vision."
Get vol 1 first, but...wow!
Zhimbo | New York City | 08/12/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm going to start a JSP fan club, for consistently putting out excellent compilations at reasonable prices. I also recommend their Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton sets.My first real introduction to Django was vol. 1 from JSP, which at 5 CDs was an overwhelming but wonderful experience. Vol 2 is slightly shorter ("only" 4 CDs) but covers more ground, both in time span and variety of music. The war-time recordings that take up the middle portion of the set use all sorts of additional instruments (harmonica!), and some show a much stronger European classical music influence. Quite a few of these tracks have a suprisingly moody, atmospheric feel. Others sound more like American swing bands (Rostaing on clarinet invites Benny Goodman comparisons).However, it is still the tracks with small string-based bands, especially with Grapelli's violin, that really throw off sparks. The first disc, in particular, is simply unbelievable, and it took me some time to move on to the subsequent discs - I just kept playing disc 1! This is the Quintet at its peak, exceeding my wildest expectations.So, as interesting and enjoyable as the war-time tracks are, they tend to dilute the intensity and quality of the package, at least a little. I'd therefore recommend vol. 1 as more essential, and the place to start. Packaging notes: True to JSP budget-priced form (quality sound being more important than pretty pictures), the packaging is skimpy, with all essential documentation (personnel, dates, etc.) and some limited commentary, and that's it. While the design is more professional looking than the rather amateurish graphics of volume 1, I miss Ted Kendall's chatty, personable liner notes."
"In my opinion, "Paris & London 1937-48" is slightly better than "Classic Early Recordings in Chronogical Order". Considering the source material, JSP did an excellent job remastering this collection."
Track Listings (19) - Disc #1