Q Can you help me locate CDs of Manouche music that is not jazz-oriented?
Saul Lilienstein
Bethesda, Maryland
A There are dozens of CDs of Manouche musicians playing Gypsy jazz, but there are very few recordings of them playing non-jazz-based music. The Manouche, the majority of whom live in France, are one of the many groups of Gypsies living in Europe. The most famous Manouche was guitarist Django Reinhardt, whose blend of swing jazz, musette, and popular dance tunes had a profound influence on Manouche music. Before Django, you were likely to find Manouche musicians playing French cafe music, Hungarian-style Gypsy music, or flamenco. After Django, they all played swing.
There are, however, a few Manouche recordings available that feature non-jazz musicians. Two CDs on the Al Sur label were recorded in the south of France: Gypsy Manouches from Roussillon, a compilation of local players that includes a few songs in Romani along with some swing and pop tunes, and Gypsy Musicians from Perpignan, which features a selection of flamenco and rumba that bears a strong Gipsy Kings influence. The Festival of Ste. Maries de la Mer is held annually in Provence. It has always attracted a large number of Gypsy pilgrims, and recordings made there have appeared on two CDs: the sound track to the film Latcho Drom (Caroline), a documentary about Gypsy music that includes two swing tunes by Dorado Schmidt, and the two-disc set Music on the Gypsy Route (Fremeaux).
--Michael Simmons
Q I have an old, Brazilian rosewood Stetson parlor guitar in good condition. It was evidently made for gut strings, but I would like to use steel strings. Would it be worthwhile for me to have the top's ladder bracing replaced with X-bracing?
Jaroslav Andrew Zaharchuk
Phoenix, Arizona
A This brings up a very interesting dilemma for a repairer/restorer like myself. Do you drastically modify old instruments to make them more suitable for modern players? Is it worth it? I answer both questions with a qualified "yes." There are a lot of parlor guitars out there worth more for their Brazilian rosewood than for their tone and utility. At this point, a set of fine quartersawn Brazilian back and sides the size of the typical parlor guitar has a wholesale value to a guitar builder of well over $700. It's rare that the guitars themselves are worth that unless they are Martins, fancy Washburns,
or some other top-of-the-line make. Given that nearly all of the existing Stradivari violins have been heavily modified for modern strings and playing styles, I think it's time to stop holding guitars sacred for their icon status rather than their tone. Get someone really good to do the modification in a period-appropriate style. I'd even consider retopping the guitar entirely using a very high grade of spruce or even cedar. Just because the guitar is rosewood and old doesn't mean that you couldn't do better with a new top.
--Rick Turner
Q In the April issue, you stated that Paco de Lucia uses Kleenex and Krazy Glue to strengthen his thumbnail. Could you elaborate on this technique?
Chris Golian
Port Angeles, Washington
A I, too, have used this technique of reinforcing the nail with layers of glued-on tissue. I start by cutting half-moon-shaped pieces out of a layer of tissue. I then spread a small amount of superglue across the area of the nail to be reinforced and apply the tissue, which immediately soaks up the glue and bonds to the nail. You have a couple of seconds to make necessary adjustments (with the tip of a nail file or a pushpin) before the glue sets. I repeat this process with layer upon layer of tissue until the nail feels strong and then apply another drop of glue along the edge of the nail to make sure everything is completely sealed. I don't cover the entire nail, only about a third, so that the rest of the nail can continue to breathe and grow stronger.
--Teja Gerken
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