Search - Chano Lobato :: Cante Flamenco: Recorded Live in Juerga & Concert In Andalucia

Flamenco -- live.

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

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is a companion to Cante Gitano; most of the remarks I made in that review also apply here. Gaspar de Utrera continues where María la Burra left off by being excruciatingly out of tune in his Tientos. However, if you program this out,you get 65'14" -- still excellent value.



Paco del Gastor once again provides a veritable model of what accompaniment should be: taking a back seat when the singer is in full flight, inspiring everyone with crisp and exciting falsetas in between -- he is in fact heard to greater advantage here than on the previous album. (Juan's playing, it must be said, is not of the same calibre, although it's acceptable -- usually.)



The other singers are heard to good advantage, in the congenial atmosphere of a juerga (rather than the sterile one of a recording studio) except for El Cabrero, who is recorded in concert. (There is a good photograph of the latter, showing his mastery of the flamenco "b" hand-position, with fingers spread. For a perfect example of the "a" position, see the cover of Manolo Caracol's "Historia del Cante flamenco".)



The Bulerías are in fact one long number that plays seamlessly for nearly 28 minutes, although it has been intelligently divided for cueing purposes into four tracks, one for each singer.



Complete lyrics are provided, with authoritative translations by the late Ian Davies. As usual from Nimbus, the recording is first-rate.



The total time is 71'28"."

One of the best flamenco-ambience CDs available

New England Pat | Virginia, USA | 06/17/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD serves as a very good example of what the flamenco experience can be, given the right setting for the singers, musicians and patrons. Such moments are quite rare but the aire here is just right for the four singers and two guitarists who accompany them throughout the first eight tracks of the CD. Brothers Paco and Juan del Gastor are in great form as they provide the driving, pulsating rhythms for the singers, especially on the 28 minute bulerias tracks which are divided into four segments to allow each singer his moments of creativity and expression. The final two tracks were recorded at another venue and the singer is El Cabrero, who is accompanied by Paco on this occasion. The linear notes are excellent and include lyrics and English translations of each cante sung during the program. The lone drawback is the limited range of volume which necesitates turning up the sound to almost full pitch to get a good quality audio. This CD is certainly one of the best of its type and is a real keeper."