Customer Reviews

Jucal

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

 

 

This album of Jerez guitarist Gerardo Nuñez is a master piece in instrumental flamenco guitar. Very innovative!!!
Gerardo Nuñez got a rapid fire virtuosity and a progressive flamenco approach of flamenco while being very respectful of the tradition and flamenco spirit. His music based on skilful counterpoints, harmonies and modulations got a solid compass.
The first piece "Jucal" is a buleria accentuated by the Cajon and played in Phrygian D sharp. Born in Jerez, the buleria seems to be so natural executed by Gerardo Nuñez. Here Gerardo experiments new tones by using the A positions in the 6th fret which is unusual (traditionally, the starting point is the D position at the low level of the guitar neck).
The second piece "Isa" is a festive tangos/rumba accompanied by diverse acoustic percussions. Not my favourite by the way. The third one "piedras negras" is amazing. It show us all the richness of his guitar playing; quite powerful with a terrible picado, rasgueado, alzapua and tremolo. This taranta/solea turns into a sumptuous bulerias at the end with a repetitive rhythmic pattern playing by Gerardo, accentuated by the palmas.
"El duendillo" is another excellent buleria played by Gerardo.
"Remache" is one of his most famous piece. This seguirillas which is called after a Jerez cantaor is very deep, dark and powerfull. It is one of the most innovative flamenco guitar piece I have heard. The B tone is magnified by an original scordatura (E bass string turned down in B and the E nylon in D sharp). "Marques de Porrina" is a wonderful tango with the cante of Ramon "el Portugues" and the guitar of Gerardo. "Luna de cristal" is a rondeña which is played sometimes with a lot of serenity sometimes with a huge intensity, most of cases played in a D tone.
"In Trafalgar" which is another bulerias Gerardo Nuñez has reached beyond the traditional structure of buleria. There is some jazzy accent at the beginning...We can detect a three times pulsation closed to the valse..."A la nana" (Lullaby) is a piece where Gerardo is accompanied by the cante.
A sumptuous album for every flamenco aficionados and guitar lovers!!!

As the title says, I have mixed feelings about this CD. This really seems to be an album that Gerardo took seriously, because all the songs are, by and large, very original and well thought out. The title song is simply superb, and is probably the most hyper buleria I've ever heard. However, "Piedras Negras" is the song that really sold me this CD; it's a work of pure creativity-- a beautiful taranta and a beautiful solea por buleria welded together. Furthermore, the second buleria "Trafalgar", while nowhere as good as "Jucal", is still quite enjoyable for its unique structure and melodic theme. Unfortunately, beyond these three pieces, my feelings for the album begin to sour. On the rumba "Isa," Gerardo seems to be trying too hard--something he apparently saught to atone for in the simpler, more laid back "Sancti Petri" from the CD "Calima." "Remache" starts off well, but eventually descends into an overwrought rut in the vein of "Isa". "Marques de Porrina" is an excellent tango tragically ruined by the hideous singing of Ramon El Portugues. The three remaining songs are strange in that they are not really part of this album. The CD booklet reports that they are originally from the "Yerma" dance show soundtrack, rather than the "Jucal" as Gerardo Nunez originally intended it to be. Gerardo's rondena "Hacia mi" has been, for whatever reason, substituted with "Luna de Cristal"-- a version that is considerably slower than the former, not mention it omits a buleria section and the participation of singer El Cigala (who I like, by the way). "El Duendecillo" is a boring, sappy track that I never listen to anymore. (Gerardo has put the melody of this song to better use in "Siempre es Tarde" from his new album "Andando el Tiempo".) "A la nana" is a decent track, a pretty nana featuring Gerardo's own singing; however, I would gladly give this one up for a chance to hear "Hacia mi". If you are OK with the modifications, then I would recommend this CD; if not, then you should order the Spanish version.

Forget the topical comments about Flamenco shows, this is the real thing. Gerardo Nuñez brings a refreshing insight into the world of bulerias, fandangos and more. If you like flamenco guitar you will love this.

regards,

martyn_jones@iniciativas.com

Never heard of Sr. Nunez until a visit to Cozumel where the music wafting up from the courtyard one evening made me feel transported. When I asked who was playing the flamenco guitar, I was told Gerardo Nunez. When I returned home I bought "Calima" and then "Jucal".
I suppose these are not for everyone but I think if you love acoustic guitar you will at least appreciate this music. It is not limited to flamenco style guitar but moves different directions, sometimes within the same piece. I am enthralled when I listen and very glad that I learned about him and could add his music to my listening favorites.

Probably, he is the best young flamenco guitar player in the world. he is the new "Paco de Lucia"

I wish Gerardo would release a recording with a cantaor