Search - Various Artists :: Great Masters of Flamenco 5

'Da Real Montoya !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gypsy Guitars | Kula, UpCountry Maui, Hawaii | 05/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ramon Montoya was the first champion of solo Flamenco guitar & was a tremendous influence on every major concert flamenco guitarist to follow... these recordings are classic flamenco & a must-listen for any serious flamenco guitar player !!! the sound quality of these old recordings is very scratchy BUT, like the early recordings of Robert Johnson, the music is vital to the understanding of the art form it embraces... his "Rondena" alone is still played by top performers like Paco Pena & Paco de Lucia... a must hear for flamenco guitarists !!!!"

The man who invented the modern flamenco guitar

Paul Magnussen | Campbell, CA USA | 04/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Until the release of Flamenco 1924-1936, this was the definitive Montoya album, containing tracks previously unavailable except on 78. Recorded in Paris on 21 and 22 October 1936 in single takes, it is a monument to the genius of the man (1880-1949) considered the greatest flamenco guitarist of the 20th century -- even Sabicas and Paco de Lucía stood on the shoulders of Montoya.



Much speculation has been generated by the fact that Montoya's compás, immaculate when he was accompanying, varies on his solo recordings from perfect to nonexistent: particularly strange in view of his famous remark (quoted on some editions of the "Arte Clásico Flamenco" LP) that however a beautiful a flamenco performance may be, if it's out of compás, it's worthless. Perhaps Donn Pohren was right when he said that Montoya considered solo playing solely a vehicle for self-expression, and not serious Flamenco.



A further commentary would be easy, but I shall eschew it: this is simply essential listening for anyone who considers himself an aficionado of the flamenco guitar.



As with many old flamenco recordings, there is some curious labelling which has got perpetuated down the years: the bulería would today be called a soleá por bulería, and the putative farruca is a milonga.



The total time is 54'38"



For guitarists who can read staff notation, a book of these pieces, very capably transcribed by Alain Faucher, is available.



P.S. For a list of (and links to) all 20 albums in this series, see my So You'd Like To... Listen to Great Masters of Flamenco Guide."