Most people know Django’s bother, Joseph, as his loyal accompanist who played with him on hundreds of recordings. Django was apparently rather condescending to his sibling, often forcing him to carry his guitar case for him.
However, few people know that Joseph was also a very capable soloist. Of course, his talent was always overshadowed by Django, who never let him solo. But when Django didn’t show up for a gig, which he often did, it was Joseph’s job to fill in. After Django passed away in 1953 Joseph made a number of recordings as a soloist. The following version of Djangology is from a very rare recording from the 1950s. On many of Joseph’s recordings he would compose an entirely different melody for the “out head.” This is the case with this recording of Djangology. Also listen to the coordination between the guitar/violin unisons on the in and out heads. These tight arrangements were also characteristic of Joseph’s music. Enjoy! -Michael
