Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Early Paco, January 5, 2001
Possibly the greatest living flamenco guitarist to come out of Spain in the modern era, Paco de Lucia is arguably the best contemporary flamenco guitarist. He is definately one of the most productive with an extensive archive that rarely dissappoints. This collection of early works is fabulous. The technical magic he performs with such dexterity with his fingers is truly amazing, it is mesmerizing. That anyone can produce such fluid rapid fire attacks on the guitar is a testament to the fact that some individuals are truly blesssed. That we can share his talents via CD's is something to not be missed. The songs on this superb collection are vintage Paco, before his forays into jazz expermentation, just beautiful guitar work. The styles displayed on this CD run the gamut from bulerias, tanguillos, tangos to rhumbas, all with exceptional skill. This is, for the most part quiet music, although it is so fiery that it definately stimulates the mind. The guitar as the focal point of interest is no easy task unless of course the talents are those of Paco de Lucia. There is a song that is very lovely that he performed in the film "Flamenco" entitled "Solo Quiero Caminar", complete with accompanying vocals ala estilo gitano. Another beautiful track is his rendition of Falla's "Danza Ritual del Fuego" in which he performs with such warmth and rhythmn that is countered by hand clapping and whirling flute that it is no wonder it is "El Amor Brujo." All of the tracks are strong and display his numerous talents by allowing him to show the many sides of flamenco. Some of the songs have a "jam session" feel to them as though the guitarists got together for some majica gitano. If you love flamenco you can't get enough Paco de Lucia. This is packaged to show some of his best early work, but you can't go wrong with the CD's from which these songs were taken either. An excellent example of flamenco guitar at it's finest, this is the real deal.
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28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Different moods and stages of the virtuoso flamenco artist, June 29, 2001
Paco de Lucia's anthology edited by Uni/Polygram Latino consists of two volumes (one CD per volume) comprehending a varied number of themes from the different stages of the virtuoso modern flamenco guitarist and composer. Please allow me to cover both volumes in one review. Considering Paco's long career and extensive material I have to admit that the compilation was done with excellent taste and offers great value. Although the material is aimed to those listeners who probably don't own any of De Lucia's albums or just a few recordings, nevertheless, they managed to include a good selection of many of Paco's main modern compositions -in my opinion where his value is- that he still plays today during his many tours. Among them: "Solo Quiero Caminar", "Rio Ancho", "Zyryah", "Tio Sabas", "Chiquito", and "Entre Dos Aguas". In addition, the album includes some of the older and more traditional pieces as well as some from earlier recordings, and a movement from the "Concierto de Aranjuez" (live recording by Paco with orchestra). Something inside tells me that he ideal anthology that would have made justice to De Lucia would definitely have been two double CDs with more live material and collaboration efforts with Al Dimeola and John Mc Laughling. But, again this is an opportunity to own many or most of his best at a convenient price in two separate volumes. If you really are starting to listen to Paco De Lucia I recommend you start with Volume 2 as I think the material introduces better the different moods of the artist and allows you to better sense his musical evolution. If you then want more go for Vol. 1 to complete Paco's main repertoire, and/or get "Luzia" (his last release), simply because today he is playing better than ever. Paco changed the sound and the depth of Flamenco and of Spain's modern music not by playing strange noises, crazy effects, or soloing out of tune, but by adding alternatives and expanding the music scales and improvising over the rigid structure of traditional Flamenco and Spanish music. Thank you Paco for allowing the Sapnish folklore and sentiment to grow.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quite Possibly the Greatest Flamenco Guitar Cd ever heard..., March 22, 2004
Largely considered the finest Flamenco Guitarist on his generation, (possibly ever), this is some of the most affecting beautiful composed music I've heard in recent times. Paco's ability to carry a song with just his guitar and the most subtle of backing musicians is quite awe-inspiring. He moves from complex delicate guitar rhythmic arrangements, to furiously intense rapid fire passages that will almost certainly invoke an response of complete awe & admiration for what he does better than anyone else. This is an Anthology of (a Limited 2 Cd version) that complies his two `Antologia' albums into 2 disks (1 disk for each Anthology), and for a double album that weights in at over 24 tracks, you'd think that you'd have had your fill of Contemporary Flamenco, way before then....but you'd be wrong, spreading the listening experience a disk at a time (over 2 days) not only left me with an unquenchable thirst for more of his work, but has that astute honour of being the most remarkable album, I've heard for sometime, and that's with some truly exceptional competition, utter genius. And it should also be noted that this is a perfect introduction into Paco's sublime music if your new to this particular artist.
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~ Paco De Lucia
~ John McLaughlin
~ Paco De Lucia
~ Paco De Lucia
~ Paco De Lucia
by Paco de Lucía 
