Carmen Amaya

I went to Spain and came back to the U.S. and looked for female flamenco vocalists. I went to my local new/used CD store and returned almost all of the cheesy compilations I got my hands on. Based on the reviews here, I got this one and I thought that because it was from old records, it'd be more along the lines of an "educational" CD you don't listen to so often because of the quality of sound.

In fact, I even waited to take the plastic wrap off because I figured I might just skip it and send it back since I'd bought so many other things---I figured I was ahead by loving Carmen Linares and Virginia Rodrigues (she's Brazilian and not doing flamenco stuff--check her out).

Ah! But I was wrong! Even after one initial listening when I was preoccupied, I stopped and actually listened because these other folks here are right: it IS different. There's a spontaneous and live feel, and so you don't care or notice anything about there not being "stereo" or "base" so you can turn it up full blast (like CARMEN LINARES' strong and beautiful flemenco CD).

The songs are fun, energetic, sweet and sexy and don't all sound alike and you'll probably find a favorite or two right away. Sometimes with some music it takes a few listens, but I don't think you'll have to wait for any of these to "grow" on you.

I want to SEE what this woman LOOKS like and I can't believe such wild and beautiful energy can actually leave this world. But more than that, I can't believe that if she's also the amazing dancer I hear she is, that we have to unearth her name and scrounge around to find images of her dancing and only one CD available.

La Reina del Sacremonte, will always be remembered and well respected. She is and always will be the undesputed best at what she did, no other then or since can compare. Feel the magic, and let the Duende take over you. And yes that is Carmen Amaya with the fancy foot work and aluring voice. With Famouse Flamenco guitarist Sabicas at her side this album deserves two thumbs up, and 5 stars! "OLE! VIVA LA REINA DE LOS GITANOS"

The classic of Flamenco records. Carmen Amaya and her family/troupe with the Grand Master Sabicas on guitar. A compilation of her 3/4 records from the Decca of the 50's. Yes that is a woman doing that heelwork. This is traditional Flamenco at its best. I must have 100 records/ CD,s-nothing else like it. Nothing else has approached it since. The quality is just OK-seems to have been transferred from scratched LP's (a few cuts are from the original very old 78 and are an archive treasure).

Carmen Amaya's music and powerful voice is reflected in this cd which serves as a wonderful introductory reflection of many more gems yet for you to discover. If you want to get down to the nitty-gritty of what real old-fashion gypsy flamenco is, she is the one to listen to.

The CD is actually titled "Carmen Amaya: Amaya's & Sabicas". It has 7 historical Carmen Amaya numbers accompanied by Juan Maya Marote etc. (no Sabicas), then 4 with Amaya+Sabicas from Decca DL 9925 (Garrotin, Cuando pa Chile me voy, Columbianas, Sevillanas; the first 2 are somewhat poorly mastered) then 4 historical non-flamenco Sabicas tunes which are part of P 1011 on the Planet label. If you like Sabicas rocking with an alto sax, one of these last four is just what you were looking for. Or perhaps you would prefer Sabicas's immortal tremolo solo. One saving grace, the times given in the track listings are wrong for tracks 8-11, the bands on the CD are full-length. Enuf said. A ripoff, basically.