All that glitters is not gold
Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 03/15/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Rather than say Montoya is the best or without duende it might serve the potential buyer better to discuss the qualities of this particular disc. In an attempt to do so I will begin with an examination of the highlights of this older music that has been sonically remastered. First of all, as is the case with much of the older music, espeially in the flamenco genre, it still sounds old by the standards employed today. The original recordings can only be cleansed so much. So, there is a certain hollowness that creates the illusion of void of any emotion but if you listen carefully you can hear how good the player is. If you concentrate on the music and the masterful technique then the music speaks for itself as being very good. Take "Malaguena" for example, the introduction running up and down of the strings is flawless but because of the original recording quality almost sounds like a mandolin at times and detracts from the technique. In the latter stages of the song the quick fingers reveal the true artisry and superb talent that was Carlos Montoya. On "Variaciones" the plucking of the guitar is at hyper-speed for a demonstration of agility and style. "Caribe Flamenco" is a song not without merits but seems at times to be aimlessly roving the guitar like a ship lost at sea. "Farruca' has a bit of hand clapping and dancing that adds ot the dimension of music but detracts from the guitar playing. The recording is uneven at best in terms of recording quality. If you compare the last track entitled "Fandango De Huelva y Verdiales" you hear what this disc should sound like throughout but unfortunately doesn't. The pitch and clarity of the notes is so much better than the rest of the CD that it is a true pity that more songs with this original quality weren't chosen. The accompanying 16 page booklet is a lttle bit of fluff with good pictures but a poor text. The print gives a brief history of flamenco and a biography of Carlos Montoya that could have been done on one page if the print were smaller. I think this "Gold Edition" disc is nothing more than gold plated. Overall I would not recommend this particualr disc unless you can get it at a discounted price(used) but rather you should look elsewhere for true, high quality sounding flamenco . Other artists that you might enjoy are Paco de Lucia or Manitas de Plata. If you go for some of the older Andres Segovia CD's you might run into the same sound problems that are on this disc. In the end I'd have to say that his technique isn't bad it is just that this is not the best sound reproduction."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1