Album Title: Paroles de Swing
Performers: Angelo Debarre, Ludovic Beier
Label & #: Le Chant du Monde 2741542
Play Time: 45'35"
Recorded: 2007


Born in St. Denis/France, Angelo Debarre quickly became one of the big headline guitarists on the contemporary Jazz Manouche scene. With accordionist Ludovic Beier, Angelo has found the perfect dance partner to distill his blazing chops into a lighter yet no less sophisticated form of quintessentially French bistro music. A number of albums between the two (plus the obligatory rhythm guitar and upright bass of course) resulted probably not just because of the obvious chemistry but because sales proved that the audience noticed. My last music shopping spree in Fribourg netted Paroles de Swing and in many ways, strikes me as one of the most enjoyable Debarre vehicles yet.
Audiophiles will appreciate it too. Perhaps the 32-bit mastering is to credit here but never before have Angelo's Alonso-Ledausseur and Dell'Arte guitars sounded this lovely. In conjunction with the relaxed vibe of this meet, Debarre seems to have settled into a newfound light-hearted ease. He plays less flighty, steely and nervous than before; less circles around everyone just because he can. Paroles isn't a showcase for taciturn pyrotechnics. It very much is one for relational l'esprit however. Charm. Guitar and accordeon get equal time to shine, solos are traded freely and the Parisian Musette style lives once again. We encounter tunes by Serge Gainsbourg, Jean-Pierre Moulin, Henri Salvador, Charles Aznavour and more, with the two stars contributing two of their own. Paroles de Swing is French street music given the royal once-over treatment by two of its current grand masters. Django Reinhardt Plays Solo is a freebie CD thrown in. Chin chin.