ST. DJANGO

The Second Official Church of the Everlasting Groove Canonization is long overdue. All you gotta say is "Django."

Django Reinhardt (1910-1953) was a Belgian gypsy who became, quite arguably, the most influential guitarist of all time, right up there with any picker or shredder you could possibly name. Considering he was playing professionally in the 1920's, when he was still a kid, you can place him firmly at the beginning of the Great Jazz Guitar Epoch and pretty much any other Subsequent Guitar-Based Epoch.

Before he turned twenty, he lost the use of most of his left hand in a caravan fire (remember, he was a gypsy) and had to completely re-learn how to play the guitar. Two fingers (those irreparably damaged in the fire) were able to form crude chords while the other two played some of the most ridiculous solos and riffs in music history.

Django went on to become a international jazz juggernaut, conquering Paris then the world. Note that I did not invoke "Godwin’s Law." Thank you.

By now, his credentials should be apparent.

MIRACLE #1: The fire, the disfigurement, the rehab, the mastery. Two fingers, people. Two fingers!

MIRACLE #2: A majority of the most influential guitarists in the world name Django as an influence. If Les Paul, Chet Atkins, and Jimi Hendrix love the guy, how can you not? And don’t give me that "objective opinion" shit. With legends, it won’t fly.

So Damn Funky...

"Brazil"

Love it. Absolutely love it.

It’s just a cool, laid-back, jazzy, gorgeous song. It almost makes you want to stick your finger in the air, bob it around, and dance in circles.

Not that I do that sort of thing.