Armando's Fire

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
If someone were to invent a category called "smooth flamenco," Armando's Fire by acoustic guitarist Oscar Lopez would qualify--and probably stand as one of the more attractive entries in the field. Lopez, born in Chile and a resident of Canada since 1979, is a skilled, often exciting player who, on his third release, displays a preference for melody and accessibility over flamboyant virtuosity. This approach yields a handsome, polished assortment of flamenco-minded instrumentals (with traces of jazz and pop elements) that generally favors romanticism over showmanship. It's not exactly a sleepy album, though after a rousing, trumpet-powered opener (the title track), the recording's prevailing mood (near medium on the heat index) is established in the second piece, the subdued, sweetly flowing "Walking Through the Pyramid." Lopez and his ensemble, in fact, only work up a lather one other time on the disc ("Dance of the Sun"). Yet Lopez (whose middle name is Armando) demonstrates exquisite fingerwork throughout, and his compositions (the charming "Gypsy Soul," the warm, breezy "Frontiers," the animated "Latino") are refined and flavorful--smooth, with an elevated sense of style. --Terry Wood

From Jazziz
It's hard to believe that some of the best flamenco music around is coming from Canada, but with Oscar Lopez - originally from Chile, but adopting Calgary as his home - the only thing those South Park kids will be blaming Canada for this year is instantly lovable exotic music. Though both Cook and Lopez are flamenco-based, the latter displays more straightforward Latin influences.

On Armando's Fire, Lopez chooses one tune on which to blend his gentle sense of melody and romance with throbbing hip-hop; on "Other Faces (Otras Caras)," he intertwines two delicate high-tone lines - one melody, one harmony - over a thumping, programmed drum pattern as synth strings swirl easily in the background. The disc was produced by Frayne T. Lewis - son of piano legend Ramsey - so it's no surprise that there's a prominent piano harmony line and room for an upper-register ivory solo (courtesy of Kevin Randolph) on tunes like the smooth-jazz ballad "Walking Through the Pyramid" and the more exotic "Latino." Randolph also adds a synth-generated accordion texture to "Gypsy Soul," giving the plucky Spanish tune a playful French twist.

There are numerous emotional ups and downs here, but Lopez seems to have the best time on snazzy fiestas like the title track, which gallops along for a spell before Alejo Poveda's wild percussion and vocal chanting, along with Orbert Davis' blistering Arturo Sandoval-like trumpet work, push Lopez into overdrive trying to keep up.

Armando's Fire,Oscar Lopez,Narada,Ethnic Fusion,Flamenco,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop

Armando's Fire

Armando's Fire

Average customer rating:

One of my favorites!

Hmm................well, not quite Oscar's best

Oscar did again!!!what a musician

melodious passion

Oscar's guitar on fire ... Lovely !!

Armando's Fire
Oscar Lopez
Manufacturer: Narada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
Flamenco | Latin Music | Styles | Music
General | New Age | Styles | Music
Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Heat

Seduction

My Destiny: Mi Destino

Tempest

Flashback: The Best of Oscar Lopez

ASIN: B00004WJXT
Release Date: 2000-08-29

Tracks:

Armando's Fire
Walking Through The Pyramid
Love Games
Chile
Frontiers
Gypsy Soul
Latino
Waiting For You
Dance Of The Sun
Nostalgia
Other Faces
Romance
Better Late

Amazon.com

If someone were to invent a category called "smooth flamenco," Armando's Fire by acoustic guitarist Oscar Lopez would qualify--and probably stand as one of the more attractive entries in the field. Lopez, born in Chile and a resident of Canada since 1979, is a skilled, often exciting player who, on his third release, displays a preference for melody and accessibility over flamboyant virtuosity. This approach yields a handsome, polished assortment of flamenco-minded instrumentals (with traces of jazz and pop elements) that generally favors romanticism over showmanship. It's not exactly a sleepy album, though after a rousing, trumpet-powered opener (the title track), the recording's prevailing mood (near medium on the heat index) is established in the second piece, the subdued, sweetly flowing "Walking Through the Pyramid." Lopez and his ensemble, in fact, only work up a lather one other time on the disc ("Dance of the Sun"). Yet Lopez (whose middle name is Armando) demonstrates exquisite fingerwork throughout, and his compositions (the charming "Gypsy Soul," the warm, breezy "Frontiers," the animated "Latino") are refined and flavorful--smooth, with an elevated sense of style. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorites!.......2005-10-11

This release is some of my favorite music in this genre. The tunes are good, and the playing is fantastic!

Hmm................well, not quite Oscar's best.......2004-04-26

Yes, I like Oscar Lopez. No I do not like this particular CD of his. It is way too bland, too much towards the soft-jazz genre instead of nuevo flamenco. Look at his album Flashback. There is a reason that NONE of the tracks on this cd appear on that album. Buy Flashback instead and you'll be very happy with your purchase. These other reviewers must like bland, middle-of-the-road soft jazz. There is no kick or passion to this album. Sometimes it happens when you have to produce just to produce. This isn't from his soul, there is it a decent album for background music.

Oscar did again!!!what a musician.......2002-11-10

Oscar lopez deserves an oscar from the music industry, I never get tired of listening to his songs , the track ""nostalgia"" is very beautiful and romantic, one of my favorites from other cds is ""loving you" it made me and my girlfriend cry .

melodious passion.......2002-05-24

While I was thrilled with Oscar's album called HEAT, and fell in love with his album called SEDUCTION, both difficult to surpass I thought, ARMANDO'S FIRE is a notch more outstanding. It delivers some of the most beautiful melodies I've ever heard, the rythmns that make you want to move even when you're sitting down, and some the most passionate playing I've ever heard. All Oscar Lopez has to do is continue listening to his heart and we, the music listening fans, will benefit. It's amazing that he writes all of the melodies he performs. He is a brilliant writer and that much better a performer. When you watch Oscar's performance, you will ooze passion right with him, and you won't no it nor be able to do much about it. And why should you. He puts you in a listen "zone" that makes you want to shake his hand after a performance. Others may have been first in writing and playing nuevo flamenco but today, there's NO ONE better.

Oscar's guitar on fire ... Lovely !!.......2001-08-20

After listening & buying "Guitar Greats - Best Of New Flamenco", I was officially indoctrinated into Flamenco/Acoustic Guitars. This led me to a spate of CD purchases by guitar greats from that album.