Customer Reviews

50 Guitars Go South of the Border Vol 1 to 3

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

We are fortunate that these Liberty Premier master tapes were well-preserved and lovingly remastered for CD. The original album on vinyl could easily be classified as a "gasser." (That described a recording that was technically and musically perfect.) Tommy "Snuff" Garrett created an orchestral guitar ensemble from the many types and styles of guitars. The tasteful arrangements on this recording take full advantage of the textures and "voices" of those many guitars. All of the cuts from the original album are there, at least on my copy. "La Bamba" and "Perfidia" are not listed on the CD insert, but they are tracks 9 and 10, respectively, making track 11 "South of the Border" and track 12 "Granada." (While RKO-Unique failed to list them, they are listed on the CDDB entry for this recording.) The only soloist credited is Laurindo Almeida. Other guitarists listed include Barney Kessel, Howard Roberts, Al Viola, Bob Bain, Tiny Timbrell, Bill Pitman, and Jose Barroso. After all these years, I wonder if exclusive contractual agreements of the time would still prevent the listing of other talented guitarist who helped on this recording. The original liner notes described this recording as "awesome." That description was accurate then, and remains so today.

I've been waiting for Tommy Garrett's music on CD format since the dawn of CD's. This is some of the most beutiful music ever recorded. The muscic fan in Boulder was correct in that this CD should have been copied just like the original LP and that we cannot wait for Tommy Garrett's entire collection to come out.(One more star would not be enough for his music!)

We call this our album of "Sunken Treasure" music. The track "South of the Border" especially helps the listener picture the original grandeur of the Spanish treasure fleet that sank 300 years ago. Thanks always to Tommy Garrett and the great musicians who have produced this great album.

I wish to order South of the Border Volume 1 and find it is out of stock.. when will you get more? I also note that the Silver Note Records is reissuing 50 guitars music and I sincerely hope that these are exact copies of the original recordings..I agree with the reviewers who complained about the absence of a some lovely songs, and having heard the old 8 track with the full original song list, would urge the record company to produce exact copies, but I don't know how to contact them!

I agree with East Meadow, NJ. Get some stock and i'll buy.

It sounds like the kind of thing that MUST have happened before.... and since... and often, but when Tommy Garrett gathered a whole orchestra of virtuoso guitarists for a few historic recording sessions the results were better than historic: they're musical magic.

These recordings are from the sixties, and they're fantastic. Great arrangements and inspired performances of tunes like Malaguena, Guadalajara, La Bamba, Cielito Lindo.

The music is like a cross between flamenco and instrumental mariachi, but the arrangements - with FIFTY guitars (not a gimmick!) just take your breath away. Guitarrons and just the right amount of percussion are added, but the stars here come from the combined purpose of a whole herd of hot pickers who got with it.

This is good stuff. Get it.

My parents had this album in vinyl, and even as a young tot I was entranced by the stereo sound of the original Liberty Records release, and the impressive artistry of these wonderful guitarists. The arrangements are wonderful - La Bamba, Perfidia and Frenesi are my favorites, although all the tracks are great, with thunderous chords and exquisite solos presented in powerful sonic clarity. I'm rather glad I picked up the RKO/Unique CD release while it was still in print, and sympathize with the reviewer from Winnipeg who was lamenting about the minimalist and funereal graphics of the Toucan Cove version. RKO came closer with its cover graphic, although nothing can approximate the lavish, die-cut gatefold sleeve of the vinyl version, with its playful photos of sombreros resting on Gibson guitars. Regardless, the music is the main thing, of course, and whatever version you can find of this nostalgic goodie, BUY IT IMMEDIATELY! Many thanks to Tommy "Snuff" Garrett for this great music.

I love the mix of songs and the combination of guitars. The music is lively but not abrasive and is great background music for walking or working.

IF you are as old as I am (born the year that "Gone With The Wind" and "The Wizard Of Oz" were released), and even if you're not, you will enjoy that mellow sound of all those guitars playing together. I have most of the 50 Guitars released on Liberty vinyl... but digitizing the tracks I enjoy most, IS sort of a "pain." So, to see some of that vinyl re-released in the digital format, is sort-of a blessing in disguise. And, as more is released, I will continue buy them. This is a great begining for Snuff Garrett Enterprises, and only MORE great 50 Guitars music can result from the digitizing of their tracks. Enjoy!

This CD set was all that I hoped for, and my 87 year old Mother loves it too.