John Jorgenson - Franco American Swing

Review by Jennifer Hoover

Album Review: Franco American Swing by John Jorgenson Released in 2004 on J2 Records, Franco American Swing is a genre-blurring masterpiece that brings together jazz, bluegrass, progressive bluegrass, gypsy jazz, and swing. The brainchild of multi-instrumentalist John Jorgenson, this album feels like a musical passport stamped with influences from both sides of the Atlantic. It's not just an album—it's a journey through styles and emotions, stitched together with meticulous care. One standout track is "F.A. Swing," which serves as both the title track’s namesake and its beating heart. This piece immediately grabs your attention with its infectious rhythm and intricate guitar work. Listening to it feels like being at a Parisian café one moment and a Nashville barn dance the next. What makes this track unforgettable is how seamlessly Jorgenson blends technical wizardry with raw emotion. You can almost picture him leaning into his guitar, fingers dancing across the fretboard while Don Hart’s arrangements add layers of depth. And hey, if you're someone who digs alternate mixes (guilty!), there’s even a reimagined version later in the album—because why stop at perfection when you can tweak it? Another gem worth mentioning is "In Memory of Danny Gatton." This tribute hits hard, especially for fans familiar with Gatton’s legacy. It’s haunting yet uplifting, capturing the bittersweet essence of honoring a fallen hero. Strings provided by The Nashville Chamber Orchestra Quartet give it a cinematic quality, making it feel less like a song and more like a story unfolding in real time. Every note seems deliberate, every pause loaded with meaning. If you’re not moved by this one, check your pulse—you might be part robot. The production credits are impressive too. With Bobby Shin engineering some tracks, Sébastien Robitaille handling others, and John Jorgenson wearing multiple hats (producer, mixer, masterer), it’s clear no stone was left unturned. Even the artwork by Greg Rich deserves a shoutout; it perfectly mirrors the eclectic vibe of the music inside. What struck me most about Franco American Swing is how unapologetically human it feels. Sure, the musicianship is jaw-dropping, but it never comes off as pretentious or overly polished. There’s grit here—moments where imperfections shine through, reminding us that these songs were played by people, not machines. As I wrapped up my listen, something odd occurred to me: despite its diverse range of styles, the album somehow feels cohesive. Maybe it’s because all the tracks share a common thread of reverence—for tradition, for innovation, and for the sheer joy of playing music. Or maybe it’s just that John Jorgenson has secretly figured out how to bottle magic and pour it into each track. Either way, Franco American Swing isn’t just an album—it’s an experience. And honestly? We could use more albums like this in today’s cookie-cutter world.

Download John Jorgenson - Franco American Swing

Artist: John Jorgenson
Album: Franco American Swing

Jazz

2004

Rating: 4.0

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Filename: john-jorgenson-franco-american-swing.zip

MP3 size: 94.6 mb
FLAC size: 891 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Cher Jacqueline	04:25
Valse De Samois
Valse de Samois	02:10
Blue Drag
J'Attendrai	03:39
Snowflake Waltz
F. A. Swing (Alternate Mix)
Smoldering Ashes
Waltz for Mary	02:29
Man Of Mystery
In Memory Of Danny Gatton
In Memory of Danny Gatton	04:39
Waltz For Mary
Crimson Waltz
J'Attendrai
Minor Swing
Swing Junction
Mirror in Blue	06:26
Mirror In Blue
Man of Mystery	03:44
F. A. Swing
Cher Jaqueline

Video

John Jorgenson Quintet - F.A. Swing

John Jorgenson - In Memory of Danny Gatton

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Catalog Numbers

JJCD7009

Labels

J2 Records

Listen online

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ouvir online
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escuchar en línea
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online anhören

Formats

CD
Album

Credits

Role	Credit
Arranged By	Don Hart (tracks: 2, 6)
Artwork	Greg Rich
Design	Drew Huddleston
Engineer	Bobby Shin (tracks: 2, 6), Sébastien Robitaille (tracks: 14, 15), Mike Bonwick (tracks: 12)
Producer	John Jorgenson
Mixed By	John Jorgenson
Mastered By	John Jorgenson
Photography By	McGuire
Strings	The Nashville Chamber Orchestra Quartet

Notes

Tracks 14 & 15 were recorded for the film "Head In The Clouds".

Barcodes

Barcode (String): 800633700922
Barcode (Text): 8 00633-7009-2 2
Matrix / Runout: L384 7160 FGM115 ECHOMUSIC.COM F40413-10 A
Mastering SID Code (No IFPI prefix): L384
Mould SID Code: IFPI 6100

About John Jorgenson

John Jorgenson, born 6 July 1956 in Madison, Wisconsin, is an American guitarist, mandolinist, clarinetist and saxophonist. Jorgenson has also recorded or toured with many artists including , , , , , , , , , , , and .

Real Name

John Richard Jorgenson

Name Vars

J. Jorgenson
John
John Jorgensen
John Jorgeson
Jon Jorgenson
Jorgensen
Jorgenson

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know that John Jorgenson’s album *Franco American Swing* blends an impressive mix of genres like jazz, bluegrass, and gypsy swing? Released in 2004, it features a unique track called "Man of Mystery," which is actually a cover of The Shadows' classic. And here’s the fun part: the album includes not one but two versions of some tracks, like "F.A. Swing" and "Mirror in Blue." It’s like getting two perspectives on the same song—pretty cool, right? Plus, the Nashville Chamber Orchestra Quartet added strings to elevate the sound. Jazz and bluegrass fans definitely got a treat with this one!