Customer Reviews

Armando's Fire

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!!!

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.)

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.

Since I have virtually burned holes in my "Seduction" and "Heat" CDs, also by Oscar Lopez, I was pretty excited to see he had a new release out. The title track was a bit of disappointment for me, as I thought it was more removed from the strong flamenco flavor of his other material I have heard. The rest of CD is quite a delight, with much more of a mix of styles than in his last two releases. I don't follow this music scene at all, unlike some reviewers that will weigh in on this one, but, from my own experience in playing flamenco guitar (for pleasure only), I continue to find his guitar skills amazing - he has obviously made this his professional passion. I did pick up on some pieces of playing that reminded me strongly of parts of the last two albums, but I won't spoil it for others; just post a review or email me to let me know if you hear it too.

Overall,I thoroughly enjoy this CD, and I like the increased variety in the "pace" of the music from track to track. If not for the title track (my personal tastes, really) it certainly would get five stars from me. I am quite happy to have this new CD, and I look forward to much more listening ahead.

While I was thrilled with Oscar's album called HEAT, and fell in love with his album called SEDUCTION, both difficult to surpass I thought, ARMANDO'S FIRE is a notch more outstanding. It delivers some of the most beautiful melodies I've ever heard, the rythmns that make you want to move even when you're sitting down, and some the most passionate playing I've ever heard. All Oscar Lopez has to do is continue listening to his heart and we, the music listening fans, will benefit. It's amazing that he writes all of the melodies he performs. He is a brilliant writer and that much better a performer. When you watch Oscar's performance, you will ooze passion right with him, and you won't no it nor be able to do much about it. And why should you. He puts you in a listen "zone" that makes you want to shake his hand after a performance. Others may have been first in writing and playing nuevo flamenco but today, there's NO ONE better.

After listening & buying "Guitar Greats - Best Of New Flamenco", I was officially indoctrinated into Flamenco/Acoustic Guitars. This led me to a spate of CD purchases by guitar greats from that album.

Today, I purchased my very 1st album by O.Lopez. (I'm sure to sample his other (older) albums in the very near future) Just mere words cannot express the mood and sensation on listening to the music composed and performed by Lopez. Simply heavenly, fluid, a-live and totally involving, with the sounds of vibrating nylon strings plucked by the master Oscar. The compositions vary in tempo and beat in the best sense. That elusive 'feel-good' factor you feel from a handful of great recordings (sonic quality + subject matter) is ALL there. Simply delicious. Close your eyes, and get ready to be transported to the place on Earth where you are totally mesmerised by this superb guitar man. Highly recommended

Oscar Lopez's first cd was an incredible display of flamenco virtuosity. His sophomore effort displayed none of the fire of his initial effort but at least demonstrated his guitar skills. This, his third outing, continues a downward spiral. Not only is the guitar work uninspired, but, as if realizing his own lackadaisical input, the mix relegates Oscar to a sometimes barely audible, subservient position. There is very little heat and no fire in this cd.

This release is some of my favorite music in this genre. The tunes are good, and the playing is fantastic!

Oscar lopez deserves an oscar from the music industry, I never get tired of listening to his songs , the track ""nostalgia"" is very beautiful and romantic, one of my favorites from other cds is ""loving you" it made me and my girlfriend cry .