Flamenco Arabe

1. Al Quantara (The Bridge)

2. Ahlam Ghernatah (Memories of Old Granada)

3. Al Vuelo (Flying)[Bulerias for Taranto]

4. Rumbapa ("Father of Rumba")

5. Ráfaga de Viento (Gust of Wind)

6. Kebrieaa Samet (Silent Pride) [Masmoudi]

7. Amor Perdido (Lost Love)

8. Men el Belad (From Our Country) [Saidi]

9. Zambra Por Nadejda (Zambra for Nadejda)

10. Silk Route Suite: Kathak

11. Silk Route Suite: Egyptian

12. Silk Route Suite: Sol y Sal (Sun and Salt) [Siguiriya]

13. Silk Route Suite: Juntos (Together)

Tracks:

Serenata espanola (Joaquin Malats)
Capricho Arabe (Francisco Tarrega)
Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Francisco Tarrega)
Andaluza (Spanish Dance No. 5) (Enrique Granados)
Danza melancolica (Spanish Dance No. 10) (Enrique Granados)
La Maja de Goya (from Tonadillas al estila antiguo) (Enrique Granados)
Valses poeticos - Vivace, poeticos, Tempo de vals noble, Tempo de vals lento, Allegro humoristico, Allegretto, Sentimental, Vivo, Presto (Enrique Granados)
Sevilla (from Suite espanola, Op. 47) (Isaac Albeniz)
Mallorca, Op. 202 (Isaac Albeniz)
Asturias (from Suite espanola, Op. 47) (Isaac Albeniz)
Cancion y Danza No. 1 (Antonio Ruiz-Pipo)

Amazon.com

David Russell was born in Glasgow, Scotland, but his family moved to Spain while he was still a young boy so he could study music in the birthplace of classical guitar. On Reflections of Spain, Russell plays the music of his childhood home with all the joy you would expect from someone revisiting a beloved place. Russell's formidable technique is powered by a keen intelligence and tempered by an emotional delivery. He plays chestnuts like Tarrega's "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" and Albeinez's "Austurias" with a fond intimacy that rescues them from cliché. Perhaps the finest moments on the CD are Russell's guitar arrangements of four of Granados's compositions. Although Granados wrote pieces like "Danza Melancolia" and "Andaluza" for piano, Russell's thoughtful versions remind us that the folk dances that inspired them were originally accompanied by the guitar. David Russell is one the finest classical guitarists to emerge in recent years, and his playing on Reflections of Spain is a near perfect wedding of technique and temperament. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

Fuller versions of two classics .......2007-07-29

One additional element worth noting: David Russell plays the "full" versions of both 'Recuerdos de La Alhambra' (Tarrega) and 'Sevilla' (Albeniz)on this recording. He plays all the repeats in Recuerdos, which times out at 5:31, almost twice the length of most recordings due to the repeats. Hey, the more of Russell's liquid-smooth tremolo we get, the better! On 'Sevilla' Russell repeats the entire 'A' section at the end. Nearly all guitarists in the past (Segovia, Williams, Bream, etc. etc.) have played the piece with a curtailed A section at the end.
The Granados arrangements are wonderful. Russell's sheet music arrangements of Spanish Dances 5 and 10 and 'La Maja de Goya' are available - it's great to have a clean, modern arrangement of the Spanish Dance #10 in particular.

Exquisite music.......2007-06-09

This is my most favorite CD. David Russell has exquisite taste and exquisite execution. He is an absolute master of the classic Spanish guitar, and he shows off this mastery in this beautiful CD. Each piece is a joy to savor. His crystalline technique makes this a superb addition to anyone's collection. You will smell the lemon blossoms in the courtyard of the Mezquita in Cordoba when you listen to this marvelous recording.

beautiful reflections.......2006-07-07

Having just returned to England after a long spell living in Spain I was searching for an evocative suite of Spanish guitar music to accompany my extensive array of photographic studies. Being familiar with the work 'Recuerdos de la Alhambra' I was immediately attracted to this compilation: 'Reflections of Spain'. The music was a revelation. David Russel made the guitar sing lyrically, recalling many bitter sweet moments of life in Iberia. The light and shade of the choices included covered such a broad scope as to fit my purpose exactly and give enjoyment better than I could have hoped for.

The Best.......2006-04-16

This is the best Spanish guitar CDs that I have found. Even with "Essential Guitar: 33 Guitar Masterpieces" having more tracks and two CDs, this is better material. I am not saying that "33 Guitar Masterpiece" was bad, I actually rate it second. No need to skip through "Reflections" like many other compilations of this mixed type CD. The quaility is crisp but lower overall peak (loudness) sound compared to some of my other CDs. Read reviews of other CDs of this type because there is many that have substandard recording measures. I believe this is a must for the any guitar lover!!!

Yet another Spanish guitar music...........2006-03-09

Like every one else I have probably heard all other worthy versions of most of these tunes....I happened to find out about David Russell via reading a bio of Barrios and recommended recordings....it said...Dave Russell is the man...I had not heard of him before that...I got the CD...and WOW...!!then I got interested in his music so I bought anything I could from him including the Aire latino , plays Bach and this one....this guy was born to play the classical guitar...

This is the first artist that I hear uses proper dynamics in his performance...the rest of the pack do not nearly use the guitar as a guitar they use it just another vehicle to play a composition....David's strumming...pulling pushing the music and his singing tone is above all others...not as controled as other classical players....if people played the guitar as a guitar not as a lute..or harpsicored or a piano...then this is what it should sound like...acoustic guitar's range is very limited ...but in the hands of a master...there are no limits....

Average customer rating:

Flamenco Arabe
Dazzling Multicultural Fireworks
Great Musicians
Fascinating flamenco fusion--but an imperfect mix
Spoiled

Flamenco Arabe
Hossam Ramzy , and Rafa Tachuela
Manufacturer: Arc Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

World Dance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Flamenco Arabe, Vol. 2
Legends of Gypsy Flamenco
Enchanted Egypt
Qanun el Tarab
Flamenco on Fire

ASIN: B00008NRJP
Release Date: 2003-03-25

Tracks:

Al Quantara (The Bridge) [Bulerias]
Ahlam Ghernatah (Memories of Old Granada)
Al Vuelo (Flying) [Bulerias for Taranto]
Rumbapa ("Father of Rumba") [Malfuf]
Rga de Viento (Gust of Wind) [Ronde
Kebrieaa Samet (Silent Pride) [Masmoudi]
Amor Perdido (Lost Love)
Men el Belad (From Our Country) [Saidi]
Zambra Por Nadejda (Zambra for Nadejda)
Silk Route Suite: Kathak
Silk Route Suite: Egyptian
Silk Route Suite: Sol y Sal (Sun and Salt) [Siguiriya]
Silk Route Suite: Juntos (Together) [Rumba]

Customer Reviews:

Flamenco Arabe.......2005-10-15

This is an exquisite CD. SO much has been said by the others that reviewed this CD that I will simply say that it is a work of art that leaves your spirit ardent with inspiration and fire. I play this CD in my Belly Dance, Tribal Fusion Belly Dance and Flamenco classes. All my students love this CD as do I. Every single cut is a winner. Teachers buy this CD and prepare to get inspired!

GiGi Fayed
Artistic Director Gypsy Fire

Dazzling Multicultural Fireworks.......2005-10-06

I won't go into much detail about the content of this album -- other reviewers have done so already (though beware, a lot of nonsense gets talked by the ignorant). Suffice it to say that Arab rhythms are the driving force behind Flamenco music, and that when a percussionist of the calibre of Hossam Ramzy (one of Egypt's foremost recording stars) gets together with a guitarist as fiery as Rafa El Tachuela, one has the highest hopes for the result.

In this case they are spectacular. Rafa El Tachuela's playing is just wonderful on this album, endlessly inventive, never missing a beat or a note, a torrent of passion in the purest Flamenco style. But it is the genius of Ramzy that really makes this album great, reaching into his own Classical Egyptian roots, as well as other North African, Indian and Persian traditions, to produce a delightful journey on a flying carpet of music.

Ramzy is a genius at working with musicians from other genres, from rock to classical. The fantasy suite which is the climax of the album, "Silk Road," is one of the biggest treats of all, seamlessly bringing together diverse performers from half a dozen different styles.

This album continues to grow and grow on me. It is so multi-layered that it takes many listenings to really start to appreciate its depths -- even if you are slightly baffled at first, take my word for it, it is worth leaving in your CD player!

I would recommend this very highly to anyone who loves North African or Flamenco music; but it is also a fabulous fusion album that will delight all those with adventurous tastes, and will satisfy the most jaded New Age fan.

Great Musicians.......2005-01-24

GOOD VERY GOOD MUSIC.
Such a great cd !!
The music will raise your spirit....

Fascinating flamenco fusion--but an imperfect mix.......2004-10-11

This album is an interesting project involving Hossam Ramzy, an Egyptian musician who specialized in Arabic flute and tabla, among many instruments, and Rafa El Tachuela, a flamenco guitarist who has interests in the roots of flamenco.

Flamenco, the music of Spain, is not purely Spanish, of course. The Moorish influence is there, a North African thread, and the guitar is a descendant of the oud or Arabic lute, and there is also the huge, if not overwhelming influence of the Rom (Gypsies), who originated in India and settled all over Europe. The Rom have a deep tradition as musicians--and the Spanish Rom or Gypsies of Andalusia are known for their influence on Flamenco, actually more than just "influence"--the Andalusian gypsy and Flamenco are inextricably entwined. There is also a theory that some of the singing is a parody or adaptation of plainsong (Gregorian Chant)--music that the populace would hear during church--possibly adapted as entertainment during parties or get-togethers. The word "Flamenco", strangely enough, stems from "Flanders", though it's hardly Dutch!

So, a fusion of Arabic music with Spanish Flamenco should work--but, on this CD, I found the Arabic flute sonorities strangely at odds with the guitar. Rather than being blended by their common threads, the two strands seem to contrast each other and never quite develop a hybrid. I found the flute, in particular, to be quite jarring against the guitar--the one soft, playing fluidly and huskily between the notes as does Arabic music, against the percussive, harp-like guitar and its more Western harmonies. The violin did work better to blend with the guitar--perhaps it was the fact the violin is stringed, or perhaps it was the Gypsy sonority of this expressive instrument, so like a human voice, that succeeded.

While I enjoyed this CD, I really didn't find that it was a total success. Some of the tracks were quite pleasing--Track 5 "Rafaga De Viento" was delightful, featuring more guitar. The final track "Juntos" was the most successful in blending the Arabic and Spanish sounds. My take on this CD--fascinating music, certainly not a clone of classic flamenco. The Arabic flavor makes this unique. Listen to some samples and see how it sits with you.

Spoiled.......2003-08-26

Compositions are superb; Arab musicians perform wonderfully; guitar playing, unfortunately, is at times sloppy, especially when guitar has to interact with other instruments. Could have been a perfect album, what a pity!

Average customer rating:

Much Better than Volume # 1 !!!

Flamenco Arabe, Vol. 2
Hossam Ramzy , and Jose Luis Monton
Manufacturer: Arc Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Egypt | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Middle East | International | Styles | Music

Flamenco | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Flamenco Arabe
Enchanted Egypt
Best of Gypsy Flamenco Andalusia
Legends of Gypsy Flamenco
Dance Today! Flamenco - Active Lifestyle Makeover

ASIN: B000F2CBSW
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Tracks:

Caballo (Intro)
Caballo (On Horseback)
Awtar W' Haneen (Strings and Longing)
Nilo (Nile)
Men Teeba l' el Andalus (From Thebes to Andalusia)
Casa de Barry (Intro)
Casa de Barry (Barry's House)
Sahret Ghawazy (Gypsy Night of Celebration)
Arena (Sand)
Hombre y el Saidi (Intro)
Hombre y el Saidi (The Macho Man, The Saidi)
Pensando en Ti (Thinking of You)
Amil
Trompetta (Baby Trumpet)

Customer Reviews:

Much Better than Volume # 1 !!!.......2007-02-27

Flamenco Arabe Volume # 2 is a far superior recording session that outshines the 1st Flamenco Arabe in about every way possible... much better recorded & w/much more accomplished flamenco guitarist as well as adding a talented violinist to the mix all contribute to making this a completely satisfying experience of "flamenco arabe" music... i still don't hear much odd meter arabic /indian rhythms being played by flamenco guitarists [5s, 7s, 9s, 11s,etc] & therefore am still wanting to hear a more complete fusion of these neighboring cultures thru the music in future recordings BUT this is a grrreat recording that creates the basic environment of this fusion beauty-fully !!! Ole Andaluz !!!!!!!!