Search - Fernanda de Utrera, Bernada de Utrera :: Cante Flamenco

Flamenco's great sisters

Paul Magnussen | Campbell, CA USA | 04/13/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This must be one of the best albums of its decade -- a totally digital recording made by Radio France in 1984 with Paco del Gastor on guitar, catching the famous sisters at their best. One disc is a studio recording, the other with a live audience. Some cantes are sung by Fernanda, some by Bernada, and on some they simply alternate verses as they feel like it: I have seldom heard such spontaneity captured on record. Paco plays in a way that would have made his uncle Diego proud of him, eschewing all virtuosic display and using a thumb-driven Morón style that is a joy to hear. Particularly outstanding are a Bulería that moves about between the sisters, and Fernanda's famous Soleares, both lasting over ten minutes.



Those hungry for Diego's falsetas will find masses of them on these discs.



Essential listening.



The total time is 91'11".



P.S. as I write, Amazon's sound samples do not play this album but something utterly unrelated."