The Best of Strunz & Farah

Strunz & Farah | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 11, 2000)
• Original Release Date: April 11, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Selva Records
• ASIN: B00004S7MI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,160 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #93 in Music > World Music > Latin Music > Flamenco

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

For the past 20 years, highly accomplished guitarists Jorge Strunz and Ardeshir Farah have pioneered the style of guitarra Latina, blending various Latin, Afro-Latin, jazz, and flamenco styles into an intoxicating brew that they have occasionally peppered with Middle Eastern influences. From their fiery 1980 debut, Mosaico, to the Grammy-nominated world beat of 1992's Américas to their more subdued recent effort, Wild Muse, the critically acclaimed pair and their four-piece backing band have inspired numerous neo-Latin and neo-flamenco guitar twosomes in the States. But their imitators lack the spark that makes Strunz & Farah's music so visceral. The evidence is here in the slow, sensual mood piece "El Jaguar" (with its exotic pre-Columbian winds), the mystical "Rainmaker" (featuring an intense, traditional Tarahumara chant from Mexico, courtesy of wind player-percussionist Luis Peréz), and the lively Mediterranean vibe of "Zagros" (featuring bouzouki player Danny Papakalos). As always, what remains impressive about Strunz & Farah is their ability not only to conquer their guitars with some dazzling fingerworks but also to contrast that velocity with some tastefully low-key compositions. It proves that they are more than just acoustic speed demons. The duo picked the best songs from their most popular albums, excluding the often hard-to-find Guitarras, Frontera, and Misterio, solid releases in their own right. True aficionados will argue about what is the best of Strunz & Farah, given that a two-CD set could easily have been compiled from their rich catalog, but long-time fans and newcomers to their world will be captivated by the music on this collection. As a bonus, the album opens with "Levantina," a preview of what the next Strunz & Farah album will sound like. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Pretty Good Value, March 21, 2003

By 

Oliver Towne (CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best of Strunz & Farah (Audio CD)

I must confess to a weakness for "best of" compilations. While hardcore fans of an artist or group may debate whether the selections do in fact represent the very best material, you generally get a lot of bang for the buck. And if you're already a big fan, you probably already own or have heard most of the group's recordings, so why would you want a "best of" CD? Generally, the concept is most appealing to a new listener, or someone who knows they aren't likely to run out and buy all the albums.

In this case we get sixty-seven minutes of very pleasant flamenco/latin/world beat/etc. acoustic guitar virtuosity. The professional reviewer has accurately described Strunz and Farah's style and talent. I would go further and say this CD captures the essence of their concept: Easy listening and soothing, but with enough touches of speed and dazzle to keep it exciting. I don't see how a fan of the guitar could not like it.

Now, I only wish somebody would release the music of Caldera, Jorge Strunz's latin/funk/fusion group of the 1970s, on CD. Since this isn't likely to happen, I strongly urge you to seek out vinyl copies of that group's work, particularly the eponymous debut album. Really great stuff. I think you'll be impressed by what a hot electric guitarist Jorge was in those days.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Quite frankly, a disappointment., May 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Best of Strunz & Farah (Audio CD)

I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of this greatest hits collection. Strunz and Farah have far proved themselves above anyone else in the world music guitar catagory. But this collection of so called greatest hits is a major disappointment to their fans and to their music. First of all, the "special" bonus track, that is supposed to justify the purchase of this supposedly thought-out greatest hits, called "Levantina" (anybody want to explain that one?) is in actuality a left-over from a previous session, most likely the "Wild Muse" sessions. Aside from that, there are many other compositions that could have been included here which are inexplicably ommitted such as "Candela", "Zumba", or "Quetzal." For some reason, this great guitar duo have avoided including song selections from their earliest works. The only exception is "Nomad." Nevertheless, this regurgitation (I sincerely hate to brand it a best of) of works is a great introduction to Strunz and Farah for the virgin listener. But, I suggest you buy a copy of either "Primal Magic" or "Americas." Not only do you get the songs included here, but also the ones that have been needlessly neglected.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Greatest Hits?, May 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Best of Strunz & Farah (Audio CD)

How can their greatest hits collection NOT include "Americas" and "Heat of the Sun"? Purchase "Live" instead for their greatest hits.