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We Can't Play Like Django (feat. Pyrenesia) [Live]

by Alex Radus

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1.
We Can't Play Like Django (feat. Pyrenesia) [Live] 06:05
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Well here's a story I've heard told It might be wrong it's pretty old About a gypsy man and his guitar He traveled throughout the land In his gypsy caravan Everyone said he was best by far He played in Paris and Berlin In London when the fog rolled in You could hear him strumming through the night Some folks said the angels had Smiled on him and blessed his hands Others say the devil stole his soul But all we really know is We can't play like Django We can't play like Django But we can try Oh, when I take a solo My fingers say "oh no" Kiss them goodbye Well they say he loved his guitar Women, wine and smoky bars But it was his grandson that he adored He taught him octave melodies Flatted fifths and minor threes I think his favorite was the diminished chord They jammed around the gypsy fires People came from miles and miles To see the master and the prodigy But they all left disappointed No matter what the old man did He could not teach that young boy how to swing And that's the most important thing But we can't play like Django We can't play like Django But we can try Oh, when I take a solo My fingers say "oh no" Kiss them goodbye Well that gypsy led a good long life And one night in his sleep he died Left the boy a guitar and a couple picks Oh, but someone made a big mistake And on that funeral pyre placed The guitar with the paper, cloth and sticks That young boy ran with all his might He stuck his hand into the fire Came back with a guitar and a burning sting And they all said the devil's sin Or the angel's blessing passed to him Cause then they saw the most amazing thing All of a sudden, little Django could swing But we can't play like Django We can't play like Django But we can try Oh, when I take a solo My fingers say "oh no" Kiss them goodbye It's so hard, why are all his songs so damn hard I can't play it, it's too damn hard I'm so mad and I'm gonna go back home to practice It's so fast, why are all his songs so damn fast I can't play it, it's too damn fast I'm so mad and I'm gonna go back home to practice

about

A fan favorite and staple closer for Alex Radus’ live shows, "We Can’t Play Like Django" is a lighthearted creation myth of the celebrated jazz manouche (gypsy jazz) guitarist, Django Reinhardt. It is the lead single for Radus’ full length release, "Tributaries–Recorded Live at Godfrey Daniels", which drops April 7, 2022.

"Django" invokes the spirit of Reinhardt’s classic "Minor Swing", including toe-tapping hot club rhythms and jaw-dropping improvisational performances by featured artist Pyrenesia. In addition to the driving la pompe rhythm, “Django” is driven by compelling storytelling. It tells a fictional “fan art” origin story of Reinhardt’s life, and how he came to be one of the most influential guitarists in jazz history. And of course, the song celebrates the lament of Django-inspired guitarists everywhere–we can’t play like him!

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released March 4, 2022

Composed by Alex Radus
Alex Radus - vocals and electric guitar
Daniel Manchester - backing vocals and upright bass
Charlie Heim - drums
Daniella Fischetti - violin
Tony Kovatch - accordion
Alan Rigoletto - lead guitar

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Alex Radus Riegelsville, Pennsylvania

Alex Radus is known as a “sultry crooner” (City Paper) and “master guitarist” (Courier News), but his songwriting takes center stage, pairing whimsical and poignant storytelling with a genre-bending mix of Americana, swing, blues, folk and more. Radus has toured the country extensively, and earned awards, nominations and critical acclaim for his songwriting, recording and performing. ... more

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