Search - Sabicas :: Flamenco On Fire

Amazing Flamenco Guitar

Jonah DeWall | Philadelphia, PA USA | 07/31/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album shows the virtuosity of Sabicas, unencumbered by Cante (singing) or any other accompaniment--it is solely solo guitar. The album includes traditional flamenco styles (like Guajiras, Farruca, and Verdiales) as well as some other styles (like Ritmos del Paraguay) adapted brilliantly by Sabicas for the flamenco guitar. A couple things about the recording: several tracks on this album also appear on "All the Best Spanish Flamenco", but I would recommend this album if you're interested in the guitar as I am. Also, some of the tracks on this CD are identical (like #1 and #11, #3 and #15), but I never mind listining for a second time. There is some skipping on track 1, but track 11 is the same piece and is flawless. I think this is the best solo flamenco guitar recording I own. It is technically amazing, yet deeply musical and soulful."

Flawed package, great artist

Ronald Levao | Princeton, NJ United States | 11/30/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It is a treat to hear Sabicas' unaccompanied guitar work, but the packaging is inexplicably careless. It's more than the problem of skipping on the first track, or its repetition. The last FIVE tracks are repetitions of earlier tracks, and the insert gives no information about the songs, their traditions, or the artist, a man with a very interesting story. The insert also only has a sadly patronizing little bit about "authentic" music, but nothing on what that this authenticity means or why it is so fascinating."

A master at work

Penumbra | Atlanta, GA USA | 07/09/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sabicas (1913-1990) was a grand master flamenco guitarist. This album features almost an hour of first rate traditional flamenco guitar music. Sabicas' old school style should appeal to traditionalists and fans of "neuevo flamenco" as well.The only reason I didn't give this cd 5 stars is because of some "skating" on the first track. A friend's copy does the same thing in the same spot, so there might be a flaw in the master from which these were pressed."