Customer Reviews

Spanish Album

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As always Liona Demonstrates her suprub playing. One of the best virtuoso's on the Classic Guitar today Performs many of the favorate Spanish melodies.. Malaguania, Asturias, D'fallas--"Dance from the three cornered hat" Excellent,Excellent performane by Liona, and the Moorish Dance--unbelieveable, and that's only the beginning...Play it over and over ---never get tired of it.

Hmmm. Having read a few of the complaints that this album is not "easy listening", or too strident in tone (such as a complaint that Boyd's playing sounds like steel strings), we are wondering what a listener would have a right to expect from a great solo guitarist playing classical Spanish works...

The pieces on this album are de rigueur tests of all great classical guitarists and Boyd plays them with DELIBERATE accuracy. Compare her playing here to the earlier guitar greats who were her teachers - Narciso Yepes, Andres Segovia, Julian Bream, and Alexander Lagoya. These great artists didn't play elevator music. Don't base your decision to acquire this exquisite Boyd album on others' preferences for "easy listening" guitar music - it is pure, traditional, demanding Spanish classical solo guitar, and this one album is proof of Boyd's supremacy among solo guitarists.

Boyd has always been an individualist, and there are points about her playing that make it identifiable from others: she plays with pinpoint accuracy across all genres, and always plucks the strings with her beautiful strong fingernails (she may be unique among guitarists for this). The harmonics she produces are brilliant, strident, accurate tones - and this is one ability in which we think she excels above other guitarists.

Lastly, there is a fine Boyd original composition here - Track 10 is her MADRILENA ("Of Madrid"), a fine example of her ability to create modern classics. It rightfully belongs in this collection both by its adherence to the form of classical Spanish composition, and for her traditional delivery.

This music has given me great joy..How wonderful to be transported to a world that only great music can bring. Liona,you never disappoint.

It's interesting, I think, to note how Miss Boyd's style and technique seem to polarise the current reviews for her album "The Spanish Album". I certainly wasn't aware that Miss Boyd is regarded as "a light weight" in the classical guitar world.

I can only say that as a humble amateur classical guitarist, I remain an avid admirer of her interpretation of several of the standard classics on this album.

Her virtuosity in Gran Jota has already been referred to: may I also single out the sweet expressiveness of her playing in Capricio Arabe (which I suggest cannot be matched by any other modern recording)as well as the fascinating discords in Asturias.

Boy I hate to spoil the party but... I heard a little bit of Liona on TV years ago and thought her tone and execution were wonderful. The strengths she reveals here are tremeandous speed and accuracy, astounding really. But her interpretation is shallow and sometimes plain odd. Her own compositions are occasionally even corny. The tone, perhaps due to the recording EQ, is almost metallic, making her strings sound more like steel than nylon and metal wound nylon. If you already love Liona, go for it, but others proceed with caution.

When I purchased Liona's 'Camino Latina' album, I loved it so much, I thought I'd give this one a try. With a title 'The Spanish Album', I thought it might be similar. I was wrong. This album is solo classical guitar.. no background music accompaniment.
If you a guitar student, you might like her intricate, detailed playing.
But probably not a good choice for the average listener who is looking for some pleasant easy listening music. To me, the music just sounds dark and drab... Personally, I prefer the 'nuevo flamenco' sound, with the percussion and backup music with bass and maybe some flute, and most importantly, with a pleasant, upbeat melody... more like Liona's Camino Latina album, which I highly recommend.

Yes, and I'm Clark Kent, reporter for a small town daily. Liona Boyd achieved her fame through non musical means. As a musician she leaves a great deal to be desired. Her technique is modest. Her interpretive skills are nonexistent. Proclaiming her "queen of classical guitar technique" is only revealing of one's ignorance. I only wish there was a zero star rating.

If you wish to hear the real McCoy I recommend Martha Masters.

"The Spanish Album" by Liona Boyd contains many of my favorite spanish guitar classics. Miss Boyd's wide range of classical guitar techniques are wonderfully showcased in "Gran Jota de Concierto" by Francisco Tarrega. Liona's artistry is also demonstrated in the hauntingly beautiful "Capricho Arabe". A great album from start to finish! I hope that Liona produces a Volume II Spanish Album. (Hint!)

What can I say! All of Liona's albums are great, and everyone is different yet superb. Finally, this is her first all Spanish album and I just can't get enough of it. Great for entaining. Gorgeous sound quality and great album graphics.

This is great! Great music. Great Artist. I "discovered" L. Boyd only recently (where have I been??). Her playing is so smooth and passionate. You can not go wrong with this CD.