So I have caved into the iPod pressure and let me tell you its been great! I take my iPod everywhere and its already stuffed with tons of Audio Books and Flamenco Music. I have been busy contributing my dollars to iTunes and racking up songs here are 5 great albums on iTunes in no particular order:
Album: Tu, Ven A Mi
Artist: La Tana
Now this album caught me by surprise as I was really into the whole instrumental thing and was looking for Paco tunes. This was nice change of pace and welcomed into my collection. Favorite songs off this album are: Asomada a mi balcon (Tangos) and Por Olvidar (Bulerias)
Album: Aguadulce
Artist: Tomatito
This is a great album! If you don’t have it you gotta get it! Go! Go Now! Every song on this album rocks! Tomatito does not hold back (does he ever?) and shreds on this album. He also has a great cast of singers including Potito and Diego El Cigala. Favorite songs off this album are: Pa Salinas (Rumba) , Al Mariyya (Bulerias) , Donde Esta Tu Carino? (Tangos) and all of the rest of the songs on this album.
Album: Live in America
Artist: Paco De Lucia
If you have not been able to catch a Paco concert then this is by far the next best thing. From beginning to end he plays his most popular pieces in my opinion better than the original recording! The recording is super clear and present you don’t miss a thing. Just close your eyes and imagine your are in the front row! Favorite songs off this album: Mi Nino Curro, La Barrosa and Buana Buana King Kong!
Album: Y Ahora Lola… Un Regalo a Mi Madre
Artist: Lolita
If you are in the mood for something a little different then this is the album for you. You will either dig it or you won’t. Favorite songs off this album: La Loteria and La Zarzamora.
Album: Solo Quireo Caminar
Artist: Paco De Lucia
Ok I am going to go out on a limb and say that this has to be the best PDL album ever! The sound recording is perfect, present and clean. The songs are super super complex and perfectly executed. If you don’t believe me then listen to it yourself… You will not regret it! Favorite songs off this album: Solo Quireo Caminar and La Tumbona.
So there you have it… Bring up your iTunes and start downloading!
A side note for all of you who are NOT located in the USA. You are super lucky as you get access to tons of albums not allowed for download with a USA account. Something to do with international copyright law blah blah blah.
This may be a subject for further discussion but I wonder if there is still a way to legally download music by switching the country in your iTunes? Hmmmm….
Related posts:
- Aguadulce Tomatito
- Jose Merce Del Amanecer CD
- Duquende Mi Forma De Vivir
- Diego El Cigala Dos Lagrimas
- Seven mp3′s to Practice Flamenco Tangos
Regarding the La Tana album “Tu, Ven a Mi”, there seems to be misinformation out there (even with sellers such as Amazon.com) about the identity of the guitarist accompanying La Tana on this album. The guitarist is the brilliant Jerezano Diego del Morao and he deserves recognition for his playing. See album information and interviews at https://www.flamenco-world.com/tienda/shop.php?&op_shop=show&id_prod=3647&id_cat= for more information. Ole Diego!
Thank you for the correction! Paco de Lucia acted as the Producer of the album!
Another solo guitar flamenco album is available at itunes and other download sites and that’s the Granada virtusoso Emilio Maya’s CD Temple. The great thing about these download sites is that some let you listen to the tracks before buying sometimes for as little as 2 cents or you just buy your favourite tracks.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Update: Just verified that Emilio Maya’s cd is available for the USA iTunes…
There are some good Flamenco guitarists in the United States, most of them influenced, of course, by Paco de Lucia, the legendary master of Flamenco guitar (arguably the best ever). I especially like Val Ramos (Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble) but Chuscales, Arturo Martinez, Jose Ramon Ramos, and Juanito Pascual are also excellent. My favorite album is POR MI CAMINO (PIRAM Records) featuring the Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble. Do check it out!