Customer Reviews

Flamenco Fiesta - Spanish Guitar Favorites With Los Trianeros

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Flamenco guitar traditionally was used to accompany the singing(cante) and dancing(baile). There are a few Sabicas solo guitar albums out there, but this is one where he's heard in this traditional role. If you find the beautiful singing "horrible", as one reviewer did, sit down, close the blinds and listen again.

Unlike miss Steinhauser who prefers to use this CD as a frisbee I think that the combination of the voices, the clapping and the guitar make it a wonderfuly balanced flamenco CD. If you are ignorant enough to hear only guitars, you should not by this CD, but good flamenco it cerainly is.

Flamenco Fiesta is a reissue of the old Elektra LP 149, Festival Gitana, recorded in the late 1950s. Elektra assembled guitarists Sabicas, his brother Diego Castellon, and Mario Escudero, singers Enrique Montoya and Domingo Alvarado, and Los Trianeros for palmas and general jaleo. While Montoya and Alvarado may not have been regarded as the most "authentic" cantaores of their era, this particular recording session, especially the interaction of the others with Montoya, evoked some of the greatest cante heard from expat "traveling troupe" flamencos. Montoya and Alvarado teamed up on several of the palos--tientos, fandangos, verdiales, fandangos de Huelva--singing alternate coplas, and thus spurring each other on to greater and greater heights of performance, in a shared realization that they were accomplishing something extraordinary. Individually, Montoya's soleares and especially his bulerias and siguiriyas are remarkable, as are Alvarado's taranta and martinete. An astonishingly fine recording by two unlikely singers, and, of course, an amazing trio of guitarists.

In the beginning singers used to sing and dancers used to dance and there was no guitar in flamenco. The guitar was added later as accompaniment. This flamenco CD is a true flamenco and Sabicas is great on the guitar as always. Those who toss CDs over the balcony because of flamenco singers, in my opinion still do not get flamenco. Great flamenco music.

This album was recorded in 1960.

Sabicas was one of the greatest flamenco guitarists of the 20th century. His artistic name was a pun on his childhood nickname "Las habicas" -- Little Green Beans, because he was always eating them.

Los Trianeros are rather more mysterious: Enrique Montoya and Domingo Alvarado are quite well known, and Diego Castellón was Sabicas's brother. But El Niño de Alicante was actually Mario Escudero, recording under this pseudonym because he was under contract to another company.

As to the music, the guitarists are brilliant. Unfortunately, the album is let down by the singers, both of whom were more at home in the greener pastures of "aflamencada" Spanish pop, and who here appear competent but undistinguished. Still, if you're not as fussy as I am, it's quite a pleasant and atmospheric record.

Flamenco Fiesta and Fiesta Flamenca are the same recording, so check which is cheaper before you buy.

The total time is 37'50".

unless you're a flamenco affecionado or just a guy who occasionally likes to listen to good flamenco, i would stick with carlos montoya personally i did not like this cd

This is mostly addressed to the frisbee lady.

The guitar in flamenco is the least developed part of the music. The voice is what it's all about, it's what makes it most beautiful to the soul, it's what gives it its duende. The guitar and dancing only support it. So, if you so strongly dislike "the voice", then flamenco all in all isn't for you.

I suggest you read some lectures and poetry by Federico Garcia Lorca, Spain's greatest poet. Maybe then you'll understand this music a bit better.

Sabicas is one of the greatest flamenco guitarrists who lived. This album is exciting and his virtuosity is amazing.

At the beginning of each track you get to hear a little bit of the guitar playing that I bought the disc for, but then all the horrible sounds that is supposed to be singing I quess, starts in and ruins any expected enjoyment. I went out to the balcony and sailed it like a frisbee.