Masters of Flamenco Guitar

Amazon.com
Many subtly varied kinds of music fall under the rubric of flamenco, which is a style of singing, dancing, and even living, as well as playing the guitar. This collection presents a good guitar selection, highlighted by the polished technique of Sabicas, the profundity of Manolo de Huelva, and the sheer brilliance of Melchor de Marchena. There is a drastic change of atmosphere in the transition from track 10 (a zapateado played by Nino Ricardo) to track 11: Manolo de Huelva accompanying the voice of Manuel Vallejo. Suddenly we are in a cuadro, the natural environment of flamenco, with a group of participants clapping, stamping their feet, and shouting encouragement to the musicians. No longer is it just a man sitting alone on a stage or in a studio, playing the guitar fluently and flawlessly; this is cante hondo, the heart of flamenco, intense and astringent, and the best of this disc's many flavors. --Joe McLellan

Tracks:

Zapateado - Sabicas
Taranta 'Camino De Linares' - Sabicas
Bulerias 'Con Un Clavel' - Sabicas
Alegrias 'Salero Gaditano' - Sabicas
Farruca 'El Albacin' - Sabicas
Siguiriyas 'Serrana Juncal' - Nino Ricardo
Fandangos 'Martisma De Hueiva' - Nino Ricardo
Soleares 'Gitana Gaditana' - Nino Ricardo
Malguena 'Velez-Malaga' - Nino Ricardo
Zapateado - Nino Ricardo
Pregon 'Liego El Frutero' - Manolo De Huelva
Fandangos Por Solea 'Yo No Me Hubiera Perdido' 'Ruegale A Dios Por Salud' - Manolo De Huelva
Malaguena 'No Te Hagas Ilusiones' - Manolo De Huelva
Fandangos 'Ese Me Gusto Seria'/'Ni Hermosa Ni Dinero' - Manolo De Huelva
Bulerias - Melchor De Marchena
Tanguillos De Cadiz - Melchor De Marchena
Sevillianas - Melchor De Marchena
Penteras - Melchor De Marchena
Serranas - Melchor De Marchena
Soleares - Melchor De Marchena

Amazon.com

Many subtly varied kinds of music fall under the rubric of flamenco, which is a style of singing, dancing, and even living, as well as playing the guitar. This collection presents a good guitar selection, highlighted by the polished technique of Sabicas, the profundity of Manolo de Huelva, and the sheer brilliance of Melchor de Marchena. There is a drastic change of atmosphere in the transition from track 10 (a zapateado played by Nino Ricardo) to track 11: Manolo de Huelva accompanying the voice of Manuel Vallejo. Suddenly we are in a cuadro, the natural environment of flamenco, with a group of participants clapping, stamping their feet, and shouting encouragement to the musicians. No longer is it just a man sitting alone on a stage or in a studio, playing the guitar fluently and flawlessly; this is cante hondo, the heart of flamenco, intense and astringent, and the best of this disc's many flavors. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews:

This album is for musicians.......2007-05-21

I am a big fan of flamenco, but I am not a musician. I still like and appreciate the music in this album, but I think it is for musicians who can understand the skill.

Four of the Best (before the 2 Pacos).......2007-03-28

This is a high quality recording of four of the best Flamenco Guitarist predecessors to Paco Peña and Paco de Lucia.

This is where my flamenco journey began.......2006-09-08

Not only is this CD flamenco puro at its best, It almost defines flamenco puro. The performers are all famous (sabicas, nino ricardo, manolo de huelva and Melchor de Marchena). The performances are old (40-50 years +) and are true to the spirit of flamenco puro.

I listened to other flamenco guitar performances, but not until I listened to this CD several times did I fall in love with the flamenco guitar.

For all lovers of true Flamenco.......2002-04-12

With all the 'Neuvo Flamenco' and its accompaning popularity. It is nice (and a relief) I might add, to hear the flamenco guitar in its purist form. Not only does this cd contain Sabicas and Nino Ricardo. It also contains four very rare perfomances by Manolo de Huelva. Which are difficult to find anywhere. Also included are Melchor de Marchena performing six pieces. This is truly Pure Flamenco at its best.

RAW, hard core, Flamenco Guitar!!!.......1999-07-28

If you are looking for something along the lines of Gypsy Soul (HIGHLY recommend it) or Gypsy Passion (also wonderful music), which I was, this most likely is not one for you.

This is R-A-W & hard core Flamenco guitar without much, if any, other vocal or instrumental accompaniment. I guess, the title says it all.

The masters can sure "pick'em".

Tracks:

Al Gurugu, Tangos
El Corazon De Pena, Seguiriya
Esquilones De Plata, Lorquenas
Ay, Pilato !, Saeta
Quisiera o Renegar, Penetera
Hasta La Fe De Bautismo, Solares
Delante De Mi Mare, Seguiriya
A La Sierra De Armenia, Seguiriya
Por Los Balcones Del Cielo, Fiestas De Navidad
No Te He Dao Motivo, Tangos
Cai Es Una Poblacion, Fiestas
De Color De Cera, Mare, Tangos Ligeros
De Mi Moreno, Bulerias De La Alemada
Cielito Lindo, Bulerias

Average customer rating:

Wonderful CD
Wonderful technique - bad instrument - bad sound
Guesswork

Flamenco Clasico
Dennis Koster
Manufacturer: Music Masters Jazz
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Mel Bay presents The Keys to Flamenco Guitar, Volume 1

ASIN: B00000I9M9
Release Date: 1999-03-09

Tracks:

Farruca
Granadinas
Danza Mora
Tarantas
Alegrias
Siguiriyas
Rondenas
Soleares
Lamentos Y Tangos
Bulerias

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful CD.......2006-08-30

Dennis happens to be my flamenco guitar teacher. I don't agree at all with the previous reviewer's comments. I think the guitar sound is fine. But, actually seeing Dennis play in person is something to be experienced. He's such an amazing teacher. He's extremely articulate, very personable, but firm, and so amusing. He studied with Sabicas himself for many years and his stories about him are so fascinating. I hope he puts out more cd's because the whole world should know about Dennis.

Wonderful technique - bad instrument - bad sound.......2005-12-03

Mr. Koster's mastery of the instrument is wonderful. However, he sounds as though he's playing his flamenco music on a classical guitar - not an instrument made for playing flamenco music. The result is much like playing Scarlatti keyboard sonatas with the pedal to the metal.

Guesswork.......2005-02-11

Having given this record five stars, I must now state that I have not heard it yet!

But give me a chance to explain. Last night I turned on WNYC while driving home and heard Mr. Koster live at a WNYC sponsored guitar festival in Manhattan. And there is no way that a player of his inventiveness, emotional power, musicality and consummate skill could fail to create an extraordinary album. So I look forward to buying this one ASAP, and to hearing more in the future from this modern master of flamemco.

UPDATE:

I now have the CD and can say that it is every bit as good as I had expected!