Manolo Sanlucar

Anyone interested in solo Flamenco guitar should listen to this. Manolo Sanlucar is a exquisite soloist, one of the all time greats, and a terrific composer. The songs are from various records, it is not from a single performance, so the title is a little misleading, but nevertheless the selection is terrific, the playing complex & moving. There is an unusual, slower than normal Bulerias and a terrific Soleares, a variation of the one from Mundo Formes which doesn't have a tremelo section. There is a very short Tientos at the end which is great, not many seem to play Tientos these days. I play this over & over, but then I love Sanlucar at his best!

Not just a great flamenco guitar album ... but a great flamenco album, period. The singers are wonderful (including Jose Merce), the production is crystal clear, and all the instruments are used tastefully unlike some flamnco albums, where voice and guitar are drowned out by over-instrumentation. I still listen to this frequently, even after owning it for well over 10 years. It's that varied, that deep, that multi-faceted, that good. Olé!

I was thrilled to see this excellent disc was available on CD. Since I owned the cassette(remember those tapes that always got caught in your machine?)I couldn't wait to get a new digital copy and was very happy to be able to play this music again. Not enough praises can be given to this bit of ineffable magical music. The flamenco guitar work of Manolo Sanlucar is music that is inspired by bullfighting; it is NOT bullfight music perse but rather INSPIRED by bullfighting. It is enchanting cultural music. The liner notes go into more detail for the inspiration,including the occasions etc. This is truly beautiful flamenco music that is very unique in it's presentation. The use of strings and other instruments like the sitar, coupled with effects results in an innovative release years after it's original release. Some songs are more in the traditional flamenco vein like "Maletilla" that feature guttural, agonizing vocals that wail with passion and which will probably suit the novice's ear better. "De Capote' is another song with vocals intermixed with mesmerizing guitar work that soothes the aches of the passionate vocals for a more traditional sound. "Tercio de Vara" features an all out assualt on the guitar that takes the listener to the land of Cervantes."Oracion"(prayer) is a quite peaceful bit of guitar work that soothes the savage beast within. If you like flamenco music than you will thoroughly enjoy this disc . It has qualities you cannot find in others music who utilize flamenco techniques but lack in substance or true duende .Highly recommended for your flamenco collection.

This album is a must-own for any fan of flamenco guitar. Manolo Sanlucar, along with Paco de Lucia, is at the forefront of modern flamenco playing. Tauromagia, is in my opinion, his best album. It combines the best of his early traditional playing with some of the wonderful melodic ideas and colours later in his carer. The writing is very strong, and while incorporating many layers, choirs, effects, etc, it is far from overproduced. His playing is very tasteful and poetic and his technique obviously beyond question. A real treasure here.

All in all, a good flamenco group with cantaors(singers), percussions, guitar, palmas(clapping) and more. A true flamenco album unlike fake flamenco like Ottmar.

Those who attempt to compare Ottmar with Sanlucar don't exactly know the basic meaning of flamenco. Ottmar is just a player with flamenco techniques. Sanlucar shows compas which is the basis of all flamenco, on top of the techniques. Flamenco isn't just a particular sound or a bunch of techniques as commonly misunderstood. It's not just 'Spanish music' or bullfighting music.

If you're looking for an album with 'flamenco choir' then this might be a good listen. I, however, go for more traditional stuff with just guitars, simple voices and percussions. It's a matter of personal preference. The playing is excellent though, very refined.

I am a Flamenco Guitar fan and love real bull fight music like you hear in the movies. I was looking for Spanish Bullfight music when I purchased this CD. This is a modern quality recording with excellent classical guitar work by Manolo Sanlucar, but not really what I was looking for. I preferred Gypsy Passion and Ottmar Liebert's Nouveau Flamenco. It might be a 4 star for someone with a more refined listening palate.