Benise

Got the cd after the dvd so I could play the music in my car.

I bought the DVD of the Nights of Fire Show and the CD the day after seeing the Benise special on PBS. The CD of the noveau flamenco show is well put together. Flamenco purists would be better served by going for straight up flamenco, but this CD is great to listen to in the car, or in the background of a party. Benise's guitar work is pretty darn good. My only wish is that there was one pure flamenco piece on the CD.

Benise WILL TAKE THE WORLD BY STORM with his impecable looks, killer charm, heart of gold and innocence, words of wisdom and most importantly his TRUE TALENT on the Spanish guitar. This album is one of his best.

Excellent music. Very well put together. If you are into Spanish or Classical Guitar music you will enjoy this cd. Nights of Fire brings you into the cd.

I listen to World music all the time and especially latin beat, flamenco, etc...

When I compare what I feel when I listen to my world music CD's of some of
the world best performers with this DVD, my experience is that Nights of Fire is
stale, bland, boring and aseptic.

If you liked Nights of Fire, I highly recommend you check out the Putumayo
label and their 60+ world music CDs and discover the "real thing".

If Nights of Fire moved you then go to the "source" and listen to the original
performers of such musical styles. Nights of Fire is like frozen concentrate
compared to freshly squeezed fruit juice.

In the last twenty years a huge number of Nouveau Flamenco musicians have appeared on the scene to vie for the public's ear. Some, like Strunz and Farah and Ottmar Liebert have managed to remain innovative enough to attract continuing interest, others have just come and gone. Roni Benise is one of those who was not an instant success but who has slowly and steadily built a fan base to the point where now he appears poised for international stardom.
My introduction to the music of Benise came via the strong recommendation of a Southern California friend who had seen him play a number of times on the streets of Disneyland. At first, his CDs were available only at shows and through his website but now you can obviously buy them on amazon.
If you look over the Benise catalogue, you will quickly notice that most of his CDs have a theme. There's surely no guessing as to what the theme of Cuba is. By now, I have heard most Benise CDs and enjoy them quite a bit. Though they are slickly arranged, formulaic, and very commercial, Benise and his musicians play with such elan that they are also hugely entertaining. The issue of Cuba marks the perfection of the Benise formula which is calculated to give maximum aural pleasure for your music dollar.
Though you may cringe at the unimaginative and sometimes downright corny song titles, you will thrill to the actual music. Every song is a winner. Cuba can be broken down into three types of songs: Those with a stereotypically Cuban sound, those reminiscent of some of the less frenetic work of Strunz and Farah, and those which evoke other Latin themes. Unsurprisingly, Salsa Salsa, Dos Mojitos, Cuba Libre, and Rhumba Rhumba are in the first group. Havana Cafe, 60 Tacos, Romanza, and Spanish Eyes (not THAT one)are those that evoke Strunz and Farah, while the remainder of the songs can be filed as otherly-inspired. Of that group Senorita is a real standout.
That California friend who introduced me to Benise made the observation that the audiences at his shows have been fairly evenly divided between men and women. That indicates wide cross-gender appeal that you will notice the first time you play Cuba through. If you like nouveau flamenco and haven't yet heard Benise you are in for a treat when you get this.

I received my CD of Benise's Cuba 2 days ago and haven't stopped listening to it since. It's simply fabulous music - the kind I haven't heard in a long time. It contains a wonderful overview of all of Cuba's rich music sounds in the form of Benise's own unique compositions/arrangements. This is the third Benise CD I've purchased and although I love the other two, I'd say this is his best. The variety of music is tremendous and every track is enjoyable. If you love great guitar music, this is the CD for you.

Having a selection of Benise's CDs as well as having seen them perform live,I can tell you that this is a very special group,
with both a quality of musicianship as well as a variety of
musical influences that set them apart from the rest of the
"world-music" crowd...if you like South American/Latin American
music,with a healthy dose of spanish guitar and exotic percussion ,with a rhythm section that is both tasty AND tight,
check out everything in the Benise catalog...you'll really enjoy it!

Benise is a must have. If you want to experience a new kind of music that will take you on a range of emotions and a musical journey like no other artist can then you must add Mediteranea to your collection.

Judy,
Jacksonville, FL

I am a Benise fan and supporter.

Mediterranea is a CD filled with wonderful rhythms, and a feeling of being transported to a place where you can let your imagination run freely.

Amazing how an artist has been so gifted with the ability to write such moving music in which the listener can take the time to relax, get away from everyday pressures to be taken to another part of the world which he/she chooses.

From the sensuous Monserrat to the deep "Bridge of Sighs" every piece has its significance.

Santa Barbara is a catchy tune which actually makes me feel like I am there enjoying all the sights.

Mr. Benise puts passion into every piece of music he composes and the listener can feel it. I think that is what makes him such a blessing to the music industry. We need music like his.
Thanks Mr. Benise.

I recommend this CD!!

This Benise CD will transport you to the beaches of the world, if you let it take you. Just close your eyes and let the beautiful music wash over you and carry you far away. That's what I do! When I listen to this CD I travel to the Mediterranean Sea, along the coast of Spain. I have fantasies of dancing in the sand by a fire out near the water on a warm night, while Benise plays in a nearby cove. The music of Benise stimulates the imagination and creativity, at least in me. Of course my favorite track on this particular Benise CD is Santa Barbara. The track Sangria also gets a lot of play at my house, because the percussion is awesome. This is one of my favorites in the Benise CD library because not only does it take me to different places in my mind it also takes me to different places in my heart.

I've been listening to this for 3 years, and it's one of my favorite CDs of all time. I find the composition incredibly original and melodious, and I love the varied percussion.

All of Benise's music is definitely "highly accessible". You don't already have to be a nouveau flamenco fan or a world music fan to like it. It's "ethnically flavored" nouveau flamenco, and some purists may hate it...to each their own. Mediterranea has a Mediterranean influence, while "Carnaval" is Brazilian and "Spanish Nights" is more traditional (Spanish).

I first saw this performance on a public TV broadcast and was absolutely amazed! I was thrilled to find it on DVD and immediately purchased it. If you love Flamenco, Salsa or Samba music or are fans of Jesse Cook and Ottmar Liebert, you will be blown away when you see this! The dancing is spectacular!

This is one of my favorite albums. It's passionate, playful,and beautiful. I've played it hundreds of times and still hear something new every time. Also, if you can see them in person, it's well worth the trip.

Care to venture off to Spain but can't at the moment?

Want to experience the beautiful sounds of Spanish Guitar?

Let Benise and his Spanish Guitar whisk you off to a wonderful land of dance and song.

One cannot help but dance to the beat.

Mr. Benise proves to be an artist to be taken seriously.

So, let your imagination run free and enjoy.

Benise is truly the best!

Well I don't have to tell you where this CD takes me. As always each Benise song tells a story, just let your imagination go wild, and dance with the gypsies or the Flamenco dancers, experience your most romantic kiss in Spain, or attend a Fiesta! The story is in your head, just let it out.

I really like the mixture of Latin guitar music and the passion of Benise's playing; awesome...this CD is absolute wonderful, makes you go to another world

Benise is incredible!!! As far as these few bad reviews, I am not sure why critics are attacking him. I saw his show in May 06 in Baltimore and it was fantastic. I am a fan of all forms of music and this guy Benise is awesome. This is just the beginning for him. I strongly recommend all to get his CDs and see him and his band live. His music captures you and takes you away!!!!! Great stuff!!!

This is a great CD from Benise's ealier work...a little more suttle but still mixes it up. Song Forbiden has a very sexy beat. Another one I would suggest to add to your Benise collection if you don't already have this CD.

What can you say - this is the kind of music that flows through your soul and gets you foot tapping - wonderful!

My wife and I had the pleasure of first hearing Benise in Desert Springs, CA. We were moved by Benise's captivating rhythms and intense and articulate sounds. Cafe Paris from his CD Romance and Passion is one my wife and my favorites. Couples - this CD is for you if you want to ingite the fires of passion in your lover. Get your juices flowing and your heart pumping with the Romance and Passion CD.

J&DKemp-Rockville, MD

Romance and Passion. What a title! What a CD!

I have listened to various types of music. None has touched my heart more deeply than the sounds of Spanish Guitar.

Growing up with Latin music is a blessing and Mr. Benise touches the hearts and souls of many with his gift of composing heartfelt pieces of music.

I cannot explain what it feels like. You have to experience this for yourself.

For those who are romantic at heart, I recommend this CD.

Mr. Benise has definitely made a fan out of me.

I knew after having the priviledge of attending one of Roni Benise's live performances I had to have the live CD. I wanted to be taken back to the places he takes us. If this brilliant artist and his crew come to your town don't miss it and you'll see why his CD's are a must have.

Judy, Jacksonville FL

I saw Benise on TV...looks very interesting. However, when I went to buy a CD, I see many reviews that seem to be by reviewers who only seem to review Benise! Which make me suspicious of these reviews being a concerted PR push, which I don't like. I did enjoy the Benise PBS presentation, however.
So I'll still buy his CDs...

I LOVE BENISE'S MUSIC HE IS JUST SO TALENTED. I SAW HIM PERFORM LIVE AT THE RUTH ECKERD HALL IN CLEARWATER FLORIDA AND LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF HIS SHOW. I HAVE ALL HIS MUSIC AND CANNOT WAIT FOR HIS NEW CD TO COME OUT.

This CD makes you feel as though Roni takes you to Brazil with him to celebrate Carnaval, the explosion of music,energy, and the beauty of the counrty itself. I have not yet been dissapointed by any of this artist's music.

Whoa! When my baby smiles at me I go to Rio de Janiero!
While this lyric comes from Peter Allen, this CD by Roni Benise makes you feel like you are in Rio.

I personally have not yet had the pleasure of visiting Brazil, yet listening to this CD I feel like I've already been there.

I don't know how he does it, call it a gift from up above. Every song one can feel the rhythm, the energy, and experience the sounds of Brazilian music.

An artist who has the ability to allow the listener to feel like they are in another country as exotic as Brazil has my vote.

Mr. Benise, keep up the good work.

This album may be my favorite of all...Ronie signed it!
It's amazing! You not only feel it, you see it!
I will Love Benise for ever!

Some people may think Benise is all show and hype, and I admit when I first saw him in the 'Nights of Fire' video I though he was just a showman. But when one listens to these well produced songs carefully you must apreciate this as top level new flamenco. What he lacks in technical ability he makes up for with depth of composition and production.

I love all of this groups music so I can not say anything bad about it. Give them a try