But what about Bireli Langrene??!

[Mark P]

First and foremost: Happy Holidays all! I hope everyone enjoys themselves wherever they are or however they celebrate this holiday season.

So I'm up late tonight, perusing this forum, and I notice that Bireli Langrene doesn't seem to be that popular of a name around here. Given his musicianship and most-often jaw dropping performances, I'm convinced (and hope) that the reason for his (un)popularity here is that many simply have not spent much time listening to his playing. It could also be for his notoriety in playing way-out or sometimes just blasting through tunes, which a lot of players fuss about (A very legitimate caveat, though unfair methinks...).

Anyways, I've spent the last month or two soaking in his playing through youtube; I think the most remarkable thing about the guitarist is that he is a master of so many styles.

So I'm wondering people here share the same reverence I do for Bireli? I'm very interested in the general consensus here, and more specifically what the seasoned players think. For those who have a comprehensive knowledge of Jazz guitar, what do you think of his playing? Please, (please!) have a listen to the videos I've posted below if you don't have a point of reference with Bireli.

Most pertinent to this forum: an incredible recording of Bireli playing an archtop with the WDR big band:

YouTube Video

Stella by Starlight:

YouTube Video

Cherokee in GJ format (with a great solo by Frank Wolf):

YouTube Video

Finally (and for fun, though also to demonstrate his versatility), Bireli's Metal Earthquake project (yes, it's exactly what you're thinking):

YouTube Video

Lemme know whatcha think!

P.S. Seeing as it's now 12:05, for those who celebrate Christmas: Merry Christmas!

[4thstuning]

First....Merry Xmas!

I think Bireli is one of the top players period and he's got the best right hand in my opinion. I have a couple of DVD's of his and a duet album with him and another great French player, Sylvain Luc - all of them are great.

It's an amazing time to live in when one can hear and see so many fantastic players.

[ksjazzguitar]

Yeah,

He's a great player. One of the most amazing things is the sheer number of varieties at which he is a master - gypsy, strait-ahead, fusion. The guy's a monster.

Peace,
Kevin

[bojan]

Birelly? … I simply had to chime in. Namely, the public perception about an artist’s work is a complex issue which is, in many ways reflected in the acceptance of Birelly Lagrenne on this forum. He is, most often, seen as pursuing a career of a former child prodigy - something that people, usually, tend to neglect and ignore. That is to say, it appears as if nobody is expecting him to go past his (once achieved) brilliant dexterity and flamboyant execution. The very fact that he is performing (with success) in several different musical contexts, seems suspicious - he does not have his own voice(!?).
How about my take on all of this? I know that Birelli Lagrenne was a prodigy guitarist (player), that now he is a very accomplished musician, and I can see him (gradually) becoming a truly great artist. By the by, my choice from the Youtube would be April in Paris, a duet with Philip Catherine.

[mr. beaumont]

Birelli is honestly one that had to grow on me, and my ears still have a way to go.

I love what he does in a Gypsy Jazz context--along with Stochelo, those cats might be the best that have ever played that genre (aside from, you know, the man who essentially created it!)

But his electric playing is very technically dazzling, but I can think of 100 other players I'd rather hear before him.

I'll keep listening, I know he's the real deal.

[Stackabones]

I think he's fantastic. Prefer him in gypsy jazz, but I respect his work in other genres.

[Dark Star]

He's a wonderful player. I think I like almost everything I've heard him do.

[M-ster]

Yep, love him. Great diversity. Even does an enviable Jaco impersonation on electric bass! Love his stuff with Sylvain Luc. Did a great trio thing with Dennis Chambers and Dominique Di Piazza ("Front Page").

[jpcafe]

You're not alone :P Bireli is my favourite guitar player

[ksjazzguitar]

Maybe it is his diversity of styles keeps him from getting to the tops of many lists - he never sticks around long enough to dominate any particular style.

Peace,
Kevin

[fumblefingers]

Originally Posted by ksjazzguitar

Maybe it is his diversity of styles keeps him from getting to the tops of many lists - he never sticks around long enough to dominate any particular style.

Peace,
Kevin

I was thinking along these lines too. Sort of like Andreas Oberg in this way..

Anyway, he's obviously a monster on the guitar. Freakish chops, really.
But who is he? Is he George Benson on speed or Django on speed? Both, I guess?

That metal thing was hard to watch. Wow. Glad he didn't stick with that.

Regardless, it's great to have such wonderful players around to show everyone what's possible.

[JohnW400]

I have the CD with Sylvain Luc. It's good. I also have a CD of his vith Vic Juris on it. Pretty good stuff there from both. YOu can tell it was recorded in Europe because desipte playing some really good solos, Vic gets normal applause. But when Birelli solos the fans go wild. I guess it was a case of home field advantage

I also saw a you tube video with He and Larry Coryell. Both play well but Larry SMOKED.

[paynow]

I first heard him several years ago on one of those digital music channels on cable; he was playing "Move" and I thought "Is that Tal Farlow?" I've been hooked on him ever since. Great player.

The "Jazz A Vienne" and "Live In Paris" DVDs are both in my collection.

[milesfandavid]

I'm not a big Gypsy Jazz fan, but Bireli makes me love the style (no offense to Django, who I respect but rarely listen to - not in my genes, I guess). But when he pulls out the archtop for more straight-ahead jazz - well, I think he's the best guitarist living, and man, that's saying a lot.

His fusion stuff, though....not so much.

[Uli]

I like the humour in his playing. Very much within the gipsy tradition of mixing stiles and genres (f.e. his rendering of "Stella", a nice way of popularizing this rather complicated tune, IMHO). Sometimes, his "shredding" can get a bit too much, though. It can also be a bad influence on your own playing once you try to imitate it without having the huge technical background and skill that he has.

I very much recommend "Blue Eyes", a CD on which he interprets a number of Frank Sinatra tunes. Very elegant and laid back.

[Mark P]

Well thanks for the wonderful responses everyone, they have been a pleasure to read. I have this absolutely terrible habit of reading youtube comments, where people either think a guitarist is the cream of the crop or the spawn of satan. It is nice to know that in Reality, where people with intelligence interact responsibly in respectfully sharing their opinions, even those that don't like Bireli's playing actually appreciate his musicianship. I think most of the comments here hit the nail on the head. Thanks everyone.

Originally Posted by Uli

I like the humour in his playing. Very much within the gipsy tradition of mixing stiles and genres (f.e. his rendering of "Stella", a nice way of popularizing this rather complicated tune, IMHO). Sometimes, his "shredding" can get a bit too much, though. It can also be a bad influence on your own playing once you try to imitate it without having the huge technical background and skill that he has.

I very much recommend "Blue Eyes", a CD on which he interprets a number of Frank Sinatra tunes. Very elegant and laid back.

Thanks for the recommendation; I also agree with the bad influence of imitating the technical prowess of players like Bireli. After watching gypsy jazz vids on youtube, sometimes for hours, I will often put on band in the box and just blast through tunes. It is also a terrible, terrible habit...

[monk]

Bireli at 15.

YouTube - Bireli Lagrene - Douce Ambiance (Antibes Jazz Festival 1982) 6/7

Enjoy,
monk

[docbop]

Bireli is one of those players I go back and forth on. I the beginning I dug him being I was young and chops impressed me. Then I like his acoustic playing. Later I got tired of his playing seemed to he was exploiting his chops more than playing great lines. It's was like you could watch video of him and playing really nice stuff then decide he want more audience reaction and start the chops fest then go back to playing good lines. when you take the solo as a whole the chops stuff did fit it was too much like a trick lick to grab the audience.

Now recently I discovered the Bireli and Sylvain Luc duets and digging those.

[kris]

Birelli is a great player.I like his playing- Django gypsy staff is exelent!!
Nice person too.

[JakeAcci]

Does anybody know anything specific about his right hand techniques? Looks like he uses a lot of the 'rest stroke' style picking. Not really my cup of tea to listen to, but phenomenally impressive for sure. He can probably play 8th note lines at 400!

[Olric]

It took me some time to appreciate his playing, but now he is definitely one of my favorite players.
I don't dig much when he shreds either, but apart from that he has some really great phrasing even even at breakneck speed.
My favorite stuff from him is on archtop, definitely.
Try his "Solo to Bi or Not to Be" CD , quite impressive, sounds almost classical at times, another side of his playing.

[Reg]

Always dig Bireli... The WDR minor blues thing was a little boring... never went anywhere, no shape to solo...I also have this hang up about minor blues having some blue reference, not always but should be able to cover... never heard Bereli cover. Always dug the Stella video... again his organization of mixing style... is loose but still enjoy that vid. has been bookmarked for years. I'm not sure where he'll go... but can't wait. Seems like he wants more than the Gypsy thing. Best Reg

[markf]

guitar players always admire guitar players with remarkable speed. It is probably the number one topic at many guitar sites, "how do I play fast".

he's certainly playing fast. If that's what you like, he's near the top.


art tatum played fast, he bores me.

erroll garner, not as fast, much more interesting.

same with guitar for me.

[Olric]

I can understand why you would think of Bireli as a "go fast only" guitarist,as I have had the same opinion for many years... A legacy of his gipsy roots certainly.
However, after listening to more material, I have discovered that the guy has an incredible phrasing, with the harmonic ideas that go with it. And that's the side of his playing that I admire.

[ronjazz]

Art Tatum bores somebody?

Never thought I'd read that.

[ozone]

I discovered Bireli about 4 years ago. He's the real deal. Speed, technique, melody, style... What a wonderful player.

[DougRaneyFan]

Oh yeah, Bireli is the real deal when it comes to gypsy! His phrasing is pure gypsy. However i think a guy like Jimmy Rosenberg plays with more feeling and passion but one can't deny bireli's obvious talent!

[nado64]

I've had the chance to see him many times. (gypsy project, duet with sylvain luc,...). I can say he's an E.T.!

The last time I see him, he played classic jazz.
He played bass, singed "fly me to the moon" with a beautiful voice, played Elvis Presley, advertising music, jazz standards and the show is ended with an amazing improvisation in "chord melody" (two hands on the neck and he picks the strings with the little finger).

More than his velocity, I think his power is he manages to communicate with the public only with his guitar.

[manu68]

I have seen him many times in concert in Alsace, the part of France he is coming from. I have the chance to live for many years in this beautiful region too. He seems to appreciate to come and play in small venues here, which is a big chance for us.

The man is absolutely incredible. Everytime , it is a shock, even if you are prepared to a shock .

He is a true genious as Jazz guitarist, so as the musicians with him.

If he comes in your neighbourhood, please don't miss the opportunity to see him live. Everytime a great moment.

[bahama]

Loved him yrs ago when he was the young phenom. Cherokee clip is great. thanks