Customer Reviews

Flamenco

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

 

 

I have to correct the previous reviewer, Pepe Romero was NOT 17 when he made this recording. Pepe has 2 CDs from his teen years entitled "Flamenco Fenomeno!" and "Flamenco" originally recorded in the late 60's which were guitar solos only. But this CD was recorded in the late 80's and features a singer and dancer.

Your enjoyment of this CD will depend greatly on how much experience you have with authentic flamenco music and recordings. No question, Pepe Romero is gifted with amazing speed and accuracy and in terms of flamenco technique and feel, he lacks absolutely nothing. And those who are familiar with his history know the reason for this is no accident, for Pepe Romero started his career as a flamenco specialist who only gradually shifted his focus to playing classical works over some years.

However, I'm told by many flamenco "purists" that for all of Pepe's mastery of the instrument, he fails to express the real soul (duende) of flamenco... for I'm told flamenco nowadays has been reduced into a pile of superficial clichés thanks to mass commercialism of this genre. This is not to say Pepe Romero here is just superficially playing, far from it. But they say once you listen to the past flamenco greats, thier sound is edgier, rougher and more geared towards raw feeling instead of producing perfect sounding notes. (By the way, what has frequently been said of Pepe Romero is that he plays "Classical music as if it were flamenco, and flamenco music as if it were classical").

I'm not sure I agree with all that myself. I'm no flamenco expert and the performances here are simply amazing and I enjoyed it.

A totally amazing Flamenco performance by Pepe Romero! If you are looking for a CD that will change your look on life and totally astound you with it's beauty and greatness, then this is the one! When listening, it is very hard to believe that Pepe Romero made this recording when he was 17. Listen to it in a dim, candle-lit room, and it will leave an experience that you will never forget...

As always, Pepe Romero's guitar work is blazing! hat sets this disc apart is the beauty of the total recording. Chano Lobato's voice is very expressive and the footwork of the dancers are one with the guitar. The rhythm rules! A must-have for flamenco enthusiasts.

Pepe Romero's lyrical flamenco guitar and the gritty voice of legenday singer Chano Lobato are featured on this excellent CD that also has fine performances with the dance and castanets. Pepe's guitar has a distinct classical sound, with several passages of beautiful arpeggio and tremolo work sprinkled throughout the session, a nod perhaps to the great Ramon Montoya who introduced these techniques to the flamenco guitar's reportoire early in the last century. Pepe is one of four Romero brothers who were taught the guitar by their father and the Romero family was often referred to as "the first family of classical guitar". Pepe recorded a solo flamenco guitar many years ago and showed a master's touch at an early age but here he performs with a cuadro and the authentic, spontaneous sounds of flamenco never sounded better.

Thank you Amazon for having this great CD available for our enjoyment. The Flamenco fire will never die out with this great guitarist. He is flawless and his right hand dynamic. Gracias Senor Romero para la Musica de Ud. Gracias Amazon para un precio bueno y su servicio.

Excelent performance from Pepe Romero. This is a great Flamenco CD.