Customer Reviews

Masters of Flamenco Guitar

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

With all the 'Neuvo Flamenco' and its accompaning popularity. It is nice (and a relief) I might add, to hear the flamenco guitar in its purist form. Not only does this cd contain Sabicas and Nino Ricardo. It also contains four very rare perfomances by Manolo de Huelva. Which are difficult to find anywhere. Also included are Melchor de Marchena performing six pieces. This is truly Pure Flamenco at its best.

If you are looking for something along the lines of Gypsy Soul (HIGHLY recommend it) or Gypsy Passion (also wonderful music), which I was, this most likely is not one for you.

This is R-A-W & hard core Flamenco guitar without much, if any, other vocal or instrumental accompaniment. I guess, the title says it all.

The masters can sure "pick'em".

I am warming up to it......slowly ;-).

Not only is this CD flamenco puro at its best, It almost defines flamenco puro. The performers are all famous (sabicas, nino ricardo, manolo de huelva and Melchor de Marchena). The performances are old (40-50 years +) and are true to the spirit of flamenco puro.

I listened to other flamenco guitar performances, but not until I listened to this CD several times did I fall in love with the flamenco guitar.

For the price, great for those interested in classic flamenco guitar. Sabicas, Nino Ricardo, and the others were true flamenco maestros.

Something I noticed, though, (which is not Amazon's fault, I think) but must be the record company's, is that the Sabicas tracks are probably mislabeled. Based on my understanding of the flamenco forms, the 'compases', the tracks are probably shown out of order. Listening to the pieces, the first track is an alegria, the second a buleria, the third a farruca, the fourth a zapateado (and I have a DVD where Sabicas is playing this and it is labeled as being a zapateado), and the fifth a taranta, so actual ordering of the tracks should probably read:

Alegrias 'Salero Gaditano' - Sabicas
Bulerias 'Con Un Clavel' - Sabicas
Farruca 'El Albacin' - Sabicas
Zapateado - Sabicas
Taranta 'Camino De Linares' - Sabicas

I think the ordering for the non-Sabicas tracks is okay.

absolutely wonderful. this cd is just what i was looking for. beautiful music performed by some of the most talented artists i have ever heard. this is a treasure. OLE'!

This is the best of Flamenco. One of the players was accompanied by a male singer who sang in gypsy style and many may not appreciate this singing but the Guitar playing was superb. I spent many a long night in the caves in Granada watching the dancers, singers and players. This record reacquainted me with those nights. Can't help thinking. How do they make so many sounds on a guitar? How precise is their playing? How do they keep beat? The sudden stops and rhythm changes. A great remastering job. Played in the '70's. Sounds like played today. AWESOME.

This CD consists of five tracks each from four different artists. The recordings are of impressive quality considering their ages! Going from one section to another is like a change in the seasons. The other artists might not match Sabicas' technical abilities (in terms of notes-per-second and finesse), but they make up for it with their own special qualities. Nino Ricardo's recordings are dripping with emotion and only a statue would be unable to feel it.

Note that Manolo de Huelva's tracks include palmas (clapping) and singing. Hard-core flamenco straight from Andalucia.

If I were to pick five tracks as my entire collection of Sabicas to have on a desert island, would I have picked these same five? Probably not, but I would have included #1 and #4. For more Sabicas try Flamenco On Fire and The Greatest Flamenco Guitarist.

But Melchor de Marchena! God rest His soul. I wish there were more recordings; I have played these precious five tracks a million times. How could such rambunctious talent die? Un saludo, Maestro!

This CD offers flamenco toques played by four of the best guitarists who ever played the instrument. Sabicas and Nino Ricardo are the best known players here but Melchor de Marchena and Manolo de Huelva may be two of the best who ever accompanied the cante. Melchor's genius is well known but Manolo's playing is wonderful to hear. Though his playing isn't lyrical or as dynamic as Sabicas, Manolo was considered the best of his time. He didn't record often and indeed avoided recording his material as did many flamenco guitarists of that time. The CD's audio is very good and this collection is a treat for aficionados of the flamenco guitar.

Listening to this CD shook the hidden Granada roots in me J. it is raw flamenco and an absolute pleasure for the well trained and well traveled listener.

Masters of Flamenco Guitar

This is a remarkable CD. The musicians are truly gifted, the music beautiful. Makes me want to dance along.