Straight from the Heart

Carlos Guitarlos | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 2003)
• Original Release Date: May 1, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nomad Records
• ASIN: B00009VPGX
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,371 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #69 in Music > Indie Music > Rock > Blues Rock

Editorial Reviews

Bob Baker - Los Angeles Times

The truthfulness of the voice commands you to listen

Product Description

Los Angeles and San Francisco music legend Carlos Guitarlos’ career resurgence reaches a milestone with the release of "Straight from the Heart", an eclectic ensemble of 17 original tunes that embodies the diversity of Carlos’ work. The rootsy debut platter certifies Carlos as one of the great songwriters around and has been tagged as Grammy worthy. The disc features guests Mike Watt, John Doe, and Grammy winner Dave Alvin. "Straight from the Heart" will vault Carlos from a two-town legend to national treasure status. Carlos’ genius will no longer be shared with only those who happen to pass him by on the streets of the Mission District.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Street Musician Makes Good!, November 25, 2003

By 

deepbluereview "deepbluereview" (SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Straight from the Heart (Audio CD)

Only in San Francisco would you ever find a musician that calls himself Carlos Guitarlos. Guitarlos has been called a fallin' angel, a drunken doofus and one hell of a blues player by one San Francisco newspaper. Guitarlos' chosen venue has been the streets, playing on the corner of 16th and Mission for enough tips to by him some beverages and something to eat. The toothless one has now emerged as somewhat of a San Francisco icon of the blues. On this release Guitarlos joins with a band of other San Francisco regulars for 17 original tunes averaging a little better than two minutes a piece. It is an eclectic mix of tunes some with an R&B flavor, some sounding a bit Bo Diddleyish but all are truly straight from the heart. I was skeptical at first, but after one listen, I was hooked. Give Guitarlos a listen, he deserves a break.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Familiar, Yet Original, April 28, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Straight from the Heart (Audio CD)

This CD has 17 songs on it. While certain songs remind one of other artists and their material, there is something about the way Carlos Guitarlos has taken these familiar forms, distilled them and made them his own that is difficult to describe. "You Don't Know What Love Is" reminds me of a Jimmy Witherspoon song. "Women and Whiskey" reminds me of Jimmy Reed. But these songs are not merely derivative-- all you have to do is listen to his original guitar work, his words, his voice, and you can tell this isn't anybody's Jimmy Anything--it's Carlos, and I hope there's a lot more of that where this came from.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Born to Be Blue, June 30, 2003

By 

Melting American "BS" (North America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Straight from the Heart (Audio CD)

Straight from the Heart pumps out most of the pain associated in living the blues with every beat. From forlorn love to finding shelter in his music from a sea of madness, Carlos shares his umbrella long enough to bring a smile to your face. "When The Pain Stops Killing Me" reveals the psychosis necessary in resolving everyday matters like the B part. After all whats right is right, right? "Everybodys Got the Blues" another good track yes, but not everybody can sing em convicingly. Carlos voice is somewhere between San Antonio's Sonny Ozuna of the Sunliners,Luis Prima and the brown leather strap attached to my barbers chair that she loves to stroke back and forth with her blade preparing to cut my whiskers off, tough! I love, it hurt so good! STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART music updates Robbie Robertsons Bands Juke Joint album. Take Creedance it's all really good fun. You don't learn to sing from the heart in a band as any good blues person will learn you, he did time on mean streets and main streets. Traffic and noise the competition, volume mattered! So did material. His songs are well tempered SFO UFO nuggets. Grammy Award material if I ever heard it! "Co Co Club", Cotton Club whats the difference? Get this recording and your in the club, find a seat sit down, shut up and listen to inspiration STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART.