Navidad

Lara & Reyes | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 29, 2000)
• Original Release Date: August 29, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Higher Octave
• ASIN: B00004WFOC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #284,556 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Christmas CD, December 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Navidad (Audio CD)

This is everything a Christmas album should be - pure, simple, beautiful music. Lots of great renditions of holiday classics - and they all positively shimmer with great guitar playing. Don't let the Editor's Review fool you - this isn't just for Spanish/Flamenco music lovers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mandolin and flamenco xmas, December 6, 2003

By 

Enrique Torres "Rico" (San Diegotitlan, Califas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Navidad (Audio CD)

Beginning with the opening track "Winter Wonderland, " you immediately know that the usual xmas songs will be anything but. These two San Antonio, Texas musicians lend their collective talents to create a memorabe xmas album that stiches Latin rhythms, jazz and a sort of Tex-Mex bluegrass for a nice Americana xmas quilt. The musicians improvise at the right times, only after you have recognized the melody's then taking you to new dimensions and back. Other songs are straight ahead true to the original melodies never straying . The mandolin playing on "Have Yourself a Merry Little Xmas" is right on track with the original melody and sounds perfect. Although the guitar playing is compelling work I found the mandolin to give a different texture that creates a uniquesound. The Irving Berlin penned xmas classic "White Christmas" is pretty much straight ahead jazz and while it is a modern interpretation it could easily pass for one from a deifferent bygone decade. When the arrangements are by Lara & Reyes, like on "God Rest Ye Merrry Gentlemen," the results are nothing less than superb. The integration of mandolin and flamenco guitar is an absolute knockout. The lingering extended notes by the mandolin on "Silent Night" are a thing of beauty that touches you with the spirit of the season; it is very ,very beautiful. There are plenty of songs here for the duo to show their skills ,variety of styles and technique. Many composers and musicians have recored trhese songs so you tend hear these other versions simultaneosly through the accostic versions. One such song is the Mel Torme tune, probably made most famous by Nat King Cole, "The Christmas Song." There are a few "contemporary " xmas songs like Jose Feliciano's bright and cheerful "Feliz Navidad" that keeps true to the original for the most part. If you have a multiple disc player this is good disc to throw in the musical rotation. Put your player on random, catch a few tunes in no particular order and mix it up a bit for a little variety while you enjoy your fireplace and a nip of eggnog. This disc has a little of everything but the most traditional of songs like "O come All Ye Faithful" seem to sound the best. If you want something a little different yet traditonal than this disc may be for you. I cannot overemphasize the beauty of the mandolin blending in harmony with the flamenco guitar for a most unusual yet complimentary sound. This is an album of music that will bring joy to your soul and a smile to your face.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice, September 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Navidad (Audio CD)

Great record.
Creates the best atmosphere for the holiday season.