Latin Jazz Music

This is my first introduction to the flamenco style in general, and to Paco in particular. Both volumes of Antologia are a great listen. He is a very good guitarist and the music is very easy on the ears. Sit back and enjoy.

This CD is NOT Flamenco! I'm not sure exactly what to call it, but it is not Flamenco. And half the time the guy hits some really off-key notes. I would not recommend this CD to anyone. If you want to hear some great guitar music by someone who knows how to play the guitar, try music by the guitarist known as Pavlo.

Great anthology, althouh if you want to stay true to it you should get both cd's, they are both amazing. Paco's blessed hands are hard at work in this compilation from previous albums, a great way to start a de Lucia collection. Make sure you get LUZIA and SIROCO too!!

Largely considered the finest Flamenco Guitarist on his generation, (possibly ever), this is some of the most affecting beautiful composed music I've heard in recent times. Paco's ability to carry a song with just his guitar and the most subtle of backing musicians is quite awe-inspiring. He moves from complex delicate guitar rhythmic arrangements, to furiously intense rapid fire passages that will almost certainly invoke an response of complete awe & admiration for what he does better than anyone else. This is an Anthology of (a Limited 2 Cd version) that complies his two `Antologia' albums into 2 disks (1 disk for each Anthology), and for a double album that weights in at over 24 tracks, you'd think that you'd have had your fill of Contemporary Flamenco, way before then....but you'd be wrong, spreading the listening experience a disk at a time (over 2 days) not only left me with an unquenchable thirst for more of his work, but has that astute honour of being the most remarkable album, I've heard for sometime, and that's with some truly exceptional competition, utter genius. And it should also be noted that this is a perfect introduction into Paco's sublime music if your new to this particular artist.

Paco de Lucia's anthology edited by Uni/Polygram Latino consists of two volumes (one CD per volume) comprehending a varied number of themes from the different stages of the virtuoso modern flamenco guitarist and composer. Please allow me to cover both volumes in one review. Considering Paco's long career and extensive material I have to admit that the compilation was done with excellent taste and offers great value. Although the material is aimed to those listeners who probably don't own any of De Lucia's albums or just a few recordings, nevertheless, they managed to include a good selection of many of Paco's main modern compositions -in my opinion where his value is- that he still plays today during his many tours. Among them: "Solo Quiero Caminar", "Rio Ancho", "Zyryah", "Tio Sabas", "Chiquito", and "Entre Dos Aguas". In addition, the album includes some of the older and more traditional pieces as well as some from earlier recordings, and a movement from the "Concierto de Aranjuez" (live recording by Paco with orchestra). Something inside tells me that he ideal anthology that would have made justice to De Lucia would definitely have been two double CDs with more live material and collaboration efforts with Al Dimeola and John Mc Laughling. But, again this is an opportunity to own many or most of his best at a convenient price in two separate volumes. If you really are starting to listen to Paco De Lucia I recommend you start with Volume 2 as I think the material introduces better the different moods of the artist and allows you to better sense his musical evolution. If you then want more go for Vol. 1 to complete Paco's main repertoire, and/or get "Luzia" (his last release), simply because today he is playing better than ever. Paco changed the sound and the depth of Flamenco and of Spain's modern music not by playing strange noises, crazy effects, or soloing out of tune, but by adding alternatives and expanding the music scales and improvising over the rigid structure of traditional Flamenco and Spanish music. Thank you Paco for allowing the Sapnish folklore and sentiment to grow.

Although this CD doesn't include any emphatic numbers like Antologia 2's "El Preso #9" or "La Biblia," it doesn't disappoint in delivering the romance one grows to expect from Brasil's Nelson Ned. The most romantic number in this album comes in the form of "Si las flores pudieran hablar," a song as gently rendered as "Dejenme si estoy llorando" in Antologia 2. It also includes a magical version of the much-recorded "La Diferencia," a song written by Ned's friend and Mexico's legendary Juan Gabriel. Except for a few words of English in "Happy Birthday, My Darling," all of the songs are in Spanish, and they're all good.

Quien alguna vez se ha sentido enamorado o con el corazon lastimado por amor, no podra dejar de conmoverse y recordar con esta musica a un gran amor. Esta antologia tiene canciones que nunca pasaran de moda por la belleza de su letra, ademas,la voz especial de Nelson Ned nos transmite ese sentimiento melancolico, vital y profundo tan caracteristico de la musica romantica latina. Lo recomiendo ampliamente.

Voy a escribir un poco en español y luego en inglés, la lista de nuestras favoritas esta mas abajito. Mi mamá queria ambos CDs de Nelson Ned y los compramos, (aunque yo no soy una fiel fanática de Nelson Ned) a las dos nos encantó la coleccion de música que verdaderamente no tiene época, es definitivamente para los enamorados o para quién quiera recordar un viejo amor.

Although I can't say I am a fan of Nelson Ned, my mother loves his music. So she asked for these CDs (Vol 1 and 2) some time ago. As my mother listened to the music sometimes I started to realize how much heart and meaning there is into most of all the songs. Songs like:

1. ¿Quién Eres Tú?

2. Todo Pasará (This was a hit when I was a child)

4. Si Las Flores Pudieran Hablar

7. Tus Ojos Castaños
 
8. Happy Birthday My Darling
 
9. Contigo Aprendí

10. Mi Sangre Latina

Are definitely the best songs in this album. I think you don't necessarily need to understand the lyrics to appreciate how beautiful they sound, almost angelic and anthemic. If you like music from artists like Sandro, Emmanuel, Ana Gabriel, Juan Gabriel, Yuri, Lissette, Angela Carrasco and Camilo Sesto (and other figures from the past and present in spanish music) these 2 compilations from Nelson Ned shouldn't be missing from your collection. He is an icon in spanish music from the 70's and 80's.