Charo and Guitar

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Mainstream America got a small taste of Charo's virtuoso guitar playing on The Surreal Life, but the Spanish spitfire has been expertly tickling the strings for several decades. Charo's coochie-coochie image has always overshadowed her genuine talent, but this disc of instrumental tunes is accented only by dance beats and lively background vocals. Nevertheless, Charo has an awe-inspiring knack for channeling all her vibrancy and charisma into the guitar. It makes Charo & Guitar a fun, lively journey. The tireless diva has taken classical compositions--"Luna de Fuego," En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor," "Eres Tu"--and infused them with New Age rhythms, flamenco flourishes and a dance-floor consciousness that should result in serious hip-shaking. There are even club-ready versions of standout tracks "Bolero" and Picante." And lest you think this is simply a vanity project, check the album credits. Charo herself co-wrote and co-produced a number of the disc's tracks, and she has a keen sense of how to smoothly mix and mingle rhythms. Much like the performer's own indefatigable career, Charo & Guitar straddles the best of several seemingly disparate worlds. The result is a wholly unique, simply irresistible experience. --Joey Guerra

Tracks:

Picante (That's Hot)
Luna De Fuego (Moon Of Fire)
En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor (In Aranjuez With Your Love)
Bolero
Serenata (Guitar Serenade)
Eres Tu (You Are)
Caliente (Hot)
Malaguena
Disco Bolera (Bolero Dance Version)
Picante (Party Time Version)

Amazon.com

Mainstream America got a small taste of Charo's virtuoso guitar playing on The Surreal Life, but the Spanish spitfire has been expertly tickling the strings for several decades. Charo's coochie-coochie image has always overshadowed her genuine talent, but this disc of instrumental tunes is accented only by dance beats and lively background vocals. Nevertheless, Charo has an awe-inspiring knack for channeling all her vibrancy and charisma into the guitar. It makes Charo & Guitar a fun, lively journey. The tireless diva has taken classical compositions--"Luna de Fuego," En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor," "Eres Tu"--and infused them with New Age rhythms, flamenco flourishes and a dance-floor consciousness that should result in serious hip-shaking. There are even club-ready versions of standout tracks "Bolero" and Picante." And lest you think this is simply a vanity project, check the album credits. Charo herself co-wrote and co-produced a number of the disc's tracks, and she has a keen sense of how to smoothly mix and mingle rhythms. Much like the performer's own indefatigable career, Charo & Guitar straddles the best of several seemingly disparate worlds. The result is a wholly unique, simply irresistible experience. --Joey Guerra

Customer Reviews:

FAB!!!.......2007-07-06

I LOVE a Spanish guitar played well and she does!!! This is beautiful music!!! I will be ordering more...

?.......2007-01-04

Since I had never heard a Charo CD before, I was very pleasantly surprised
by her talent. The selection was very varied and delightful.

one of her best.......2006-11-10

Charo once more captivates with her guitar playing and beauftiful voice.

Mark Sharp

SO MUCH FUN!!.......2006-10-19

I remember hearing Charo when I was younger and she was a delight even then! My Dad (although he's passed) used to love watching her up-front energy and laughing from her humor until we almost fell of the couch. Then this gal would pick up her gituar, with all seriousness, and play such beautiful music from her guitar. We were in awe of her great talent. Seeing her on a classical guitar with her fingers flying and not missing a note. We sat motionless.

And now Charo is on the scene again and I couldn't be happier. Her talent, although it seemed perfect then, is now completely flawless. I still sit motionless and I applaud Charo!! And by the way, I learned classical guitar because of her inspiration.

I highly recommend this CD to anyone. The talent comes through each song from a fantastic woman.

Her musicianship is impeccable, precise, and enviable.......2006-09-06

Truly an incredible talent. Guess what, I'm looking at a latest Geico commercial featuring Charo, thinking, hmm, she still looks great. So after doing some surfing on the internet I found several pictures of her with the guitar and, I thought, yes!, I remember, she does play guitar. Her published biographies indicate that she studied guitar as a young girl under the tutelage of the great classical guitarist Andres Segovia. After reading that I searched this web site to see what Charo music was available. When I saw that "Charo and Guitar" contained the Ravel piece "Bolero" I knew I had to have it. I'd heard "Bolero" done by jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan and later by jazz singer, Rene' Marie, but Charo's treatment of the piece exceeded all my expectations. Her musicianship is impeccable, precise, and enviable. I rate her among the greatest.

Average customer rating:

Very impressive
WOW
Great music--far cry from the "Love Boat" Charo
Who knew?
Charo knows her way around the fretboard.

Guitar Passion
Charo
Manufacturer: Universal Wave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Charo and Guitar
Cuchi-Cuchi
Gusto
Flamenco
Masters of Flamenco Guitar

ASIN: B0000036E0
Release Date: 1994-03-21

Tracks:

Caliente (Hot)
Burbujas (Bubbles)
Fantasia (Fantasy)
Luna Clara (Clear Moon)
Tu Calor (Your Body Heat)
La Segadora y El Carretero Medley (The Harvester and The Wagon Men)
Seduccion (Seduction)
Suenos de Espana
Leyenda (Legend)
Romance de Amor (Romance of Love)

Customer Reviews:

Very impressive.......2006-06-15

I saw Charo live recently, and was totally surprised when her act turned out to be more about her guitar-playing than about her old "bimbo" act. She's fantastic! Who knew?

WOW.......2005-12-21

Who would have thought Charro had this kind of talent.Goes to show again,Never judge a book by its cover.
Charro is a trully accomplished,Gifted musician.
If you trully enjoy listening to quality music,You must listen to this!

Great music--far cry from the "Love Boat" Charo.......2005-10-25

Who knew Charo was a maestro! I heard this being played in a restaurant and was shocked to find out it was cuchi cuchi Charo! My only complaint is that one of the tracks doesn't play. I didn't return it because it took so long to get it in the first place. Highly recommended.

Who knew?.......2005-10-15

Until I saw Charo live for the first time in Atlantic City a few years ago, I did not know that she played classical flamenco guitar. What a wonderful surprise--the cuchi-cuchi girl has talent that belies her smart-alec blonde bombshell persona. If you can't go see her live, then this is the best way to enjoy that aspect of her talent--you won't be disappointed at all. This collection contains "Caliente" which she regularly plays in her live stage show as well as a few more that you'll end up wishing she would. The tracks with vocals are not as strong as the instrumental ones, but they're easy to listen to and won't diminish your enjoyment of the CD as a whole. Go ahead and buy it--it's great just to have on in the car on a long trip. Or a short one.

Charo knows her way around the fretboard........2004-10-19

Charo is amazing. Many people don't realize what a beautiful performer she is when it comes to traditional flamenco guitar style. You might get so caught up in her "amusingly" broken English, and her overly exploited "mature sexuality" that you might not even know what a great musician she is. This CD is worth it's price, and will likely become one of your favorites. This CD is different from her earlier work, much more polished and seductive. Fans will definitely appreciate her efforts.

Oh, and if you've only heard of Charo because of her appearance on VH1's "Surreal Life", you owe it to yourself to have a deeper listen. Granted, her voice is not everyone's cup of tea, but her guitar style is second to none.