Armando's Fire

Oscar Lopez | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 29, 2000)
• Original Release Date: August 29, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Narada
• ASIN: B00004WJXT
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,653 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

If someone were to invent a category called "smooth flamenco," Armando's Fire by acoustic guitarist Oscar Lopez would qualify--and probably stand as one of the more attractive entries in the field. Lopez, born in Chile and a resident of Canada since 1979, is a skilled, often exciting player who, on his third release, displays a preference for melody and accessibility over flamboyant virtuosity. This approach yields a handsome, polished assortment of flamenco-minded instrumentals (with traces of jazz and pop elements) that generally favors romanticism over showmanship. It's not exactly a sleepy album, though after a rousing, trumpet-powered opener (the title track), the recording's prevailing mood (near medium on the heat index) is established in the second piece, the subdued, sweetly flowing "Walking Through the Pyramid." Lopez and his ensemble, in fact, only work up a lather one other time on the disc ("Dance of the Sun"). Yet Lopez (whose middle name is Armando) demonstrates exquisite fingerwork throughout, and his compositions (the charming "Gypsy Soul," the warm, breezy "Frontiers," the animated "Latino") are refined and flavorful--smooth, with an elevated sense of style. --Terry Wood

From Jazziz

It's hard to believe that some of the best flamenco music around is coming from Canada, but with Oscar Lopez - originally from Chile, but adopting Calgary as his home - the only thing those South Park kids will be blaming Canada for this year is instantly lovable exotic music. Though both Cook and Lopez are flamenco-based, the latter displays more straightforward Latin influences.

On Armando's Fire, Lopez chooses one tune on which to blend his gentle sense of melody and romance with throbbing hip-hop; on "Other Faces (Otras Caras)," he intertwines two delicate high-tone lines - one melody, one harmony - over a thumping, programmed drum pattern as synth strings swirl easily in the background. The disc was produced by Frayne T. Lewis - son of piano legend Ramsey - so it's no surprise that there's a prominent piano harmony line and room for an upper-register ivory solo (courtesy of Kevin Randolph) on tunes like the smooth-jazz ballad "Walking Through the Pyramid" and the more exotic "Latino." Randolph also adds a synth-generated accordion texture to "Gypsy Soul," giving the plucky Spanish tune a playful French twist.

There are numerous emotional ups and downs here, but Lopez seems to have the best time on snazzy fiestas like the title track, which gallops along for a spell before Alejo Poveda's wild percussion and vocal chanting, along with Orbert Davis' blistering Arturo Sandoval-like trumpet work, push Lopez into overdrive trying to keep up.

--- Jonathan Widran, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One more wonderful creation , by a superb artist!, November 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Armando's Fire (Audio CD)

Carlos Lopez is one of the very best guitarists you will ever get to hear. Technically superior, with crisp sound & limitless performance. Top this with his musical talents, and experience... and you get the top of the top!

Do not miss this album, or any of his other albums, since he is perhaps the only artist who produced nothing but great albums so far!

His first recordings are not around, for some reason... ...(H)e recorded his first album in 89 (named "hola"), his second, Suenos (I think it was back in 92, but I am not sure...still looking for these two albums!). His third was "Dancing on the moon" (94) a WONDERFUL album, from before he joined "Narada".

You could not go wrong buyin an Oscar Lopez album, if you like Guitar that is...

Grab it!!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oscar delivers again!, September 7, 2000

By 

Marino J. Martinez "John Martinez" (Albuquerque, NH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Armando's Fire (Audio CD)

I would have given the album four and a half stars if I could, only because of the title track. "Armando's Fire (AF)," the track, did not seem to fit well with the rest of the album or with my personal tastes (I like his flamenco-heavy tracks the best, and this track was much more of an amalgam of a number of styles including jazz and a touch of big-band).

For those, like me, who virtually burnt holes in his last two CDs, "Heat" and "Seduction," you'll like the generally familiar sound on AF. I am sure there will be reviewers after me that are capable of comparing Oscar Lopez's work with other great guitarists; though I can't do that, I can say that I continue to be amazed by his playing talents (I have played flamenco guitar a bit myself, but I am not fit to replace a broken string for someone of this caliber).

This album is a bit better than previous ones in the sense of having a better mix of fast-paced and some more slow tracks. This makes it easy to listen to either as background music that won't fatigue you or as a musical centerpiece to savor.

I highly recommend AF to fans of flamenco (that don't mind the blending with other styles) and fans of Oscar Lopez. I hope he keeps this up; I can listen to his music all day.

(I thought I heard some parts of tracks that were strongly reminiscent of material he did on "Heat" and "Seduction;" let me know if you hear it too - email me or put it in a review.)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Hmm................well, not quite Oscar's best, April 25, 2004

By 

K. G Shrode (Kenmore, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Armando's Fire (Audio CD)

Yes, I like Oscar Lopez. No I do not like this particular CD of his. It is way too bland, too much towards the soft-jazz genre instead of nuevo flamenco. Look at his album Flashback. There is a reason that NONE of the tracks on this cd appear on that album. Buy Flashback instead and you'll be very happy with your purchase. These other reviewers must like bland, middle-of-the-road soft jazz. There is no kick or passion to this album. Sometimes it happens when you have to produce just to produce. This isn't from his soul, there is it a decent album for background music.