Strunz

I walked into the Borders in Kona and heard this incredible voice and immediatly went in search of a clerk who found the last CD on the shelf.
An exciting voice, rich, smooth and passionate. I have purchased and sent it as gifts for weddings, birthdays, etc.

Gr8 collection of songs and lots of energy put into the production of this album. Every song is good, unlike many CD's by artists. Unlike classical tenors, Mario Frangoulis does not sound like he is singing 'operatic pop'. So, buy it and take a listen and see if you agree with my opinion.

Mario should someday become very famous. His knowledge of languages along with his voice will take this young man to great heights. I would like to hear him do a cd of operatic pieces.

Mario is not for the "opera snobs"....his style appeals for lovers of "Cross Over" opera and lighter pieces.....however, his rendition of
"Lucevan Le Stelle" (Sometimes I dream) was so refreshing and romantic....his voice carries you with him as he dreams. I and several of my friends who were recently introduced to Mario, hope that he makes more recordings and I hope he comes to the U.S. and especially to Los Angeles California so that we can enjoy his singing and continue to dream along with him.......Bravo Mario!

Mario Frangoulis has the most magnificent voice. Ihave listened to several male singers in opera and broadway. Mario has them all beat as
we are concerned. We're very anxious for Mario come on tour here in states.

Sincerely yours,
Jacqueline J King

marjak7@aol.com

Fantastic music! I fell in love with this combination of Spanish & Middle Eastern acoustic guitar when I strolled into a beautiful shop in LaJolla, CA... I asked right away WHAT is this music? I bought the CD ten years ago and listen to it almost EVERY DAY! It is soothing, invigorating, lively music full of lovely melodies I can't get enough of. I have since purchased other CDs by this duo (e.g., The Americas), but prefer the "Heat of the Sun" over the others. Enjoy.

My first taste of the music of Strunz and Farah came roughly 15 years ago when I heard them on Austin's independent radio station KGSR. The DJ did not mention who they were, so I pulled off the road, called the station and got the name of the group and the album (Primal Magic). I liked what I heard so much that I detoured over to Waterloo Records and bought it on cassette.
Since that time, I have enjoyed many other Strunz and Farah recordings and have yet to hear a bad one.
Their earliest work while they were still in the process of establishing their style is sometimes repetitious and somewhat mediocre, but most of what I've heard is in the four to five star category, so the problem becomes trying to sort out the best from the rest. And since there is a superficial sameness to a lot of their music, albeit on a very high plane, the sorting becomes difficult.
Though I have not heard everything the duo has recorded, I've heard most of it. When Heat of the Sun was initially issued, availability was spotty perhaps because it was issued on a small independent label. I bought it on sight and when I put it in the CD player, it blew me away. Sometimes Strunz and Farah just play, and play very well, but on Heat of the Sun they play with a rare gusto that suggests syncronicity with their muse.
I like the entire CD a lot and it stands tall after ten years as one of the best of its genre. My favorites are the sprightly Jardin, the smouldering Dark Fire, the virtuoso title cut, the languid Recuerdo, the mellow La Tinaja, and what I consider the CD's best song, the dreamy soundscape that is Terremoto.
Its difficult to keep up with all the great music that comes out year after year, and especially difficult to keep up with a group as prolific as Strunz and Farah. So if you have just a couple of Strunz and Farah recordings in your collection, one of them should be Heat of the Sun, because it is definitely one of their best. I most highly recommend it.

Strunz and Farah are amazing artists. This album showcases their talent, and proves that they are the best in the business. Do not hesitate to purchase Heat of the Sun, or Americas which I also have and can recommend.

My quest for quality acoustic guitar music continues with "Heat of the Sun". It was "Guitar Greats - Best of New Flamenco" on Baja/TSR that got me started on acoustic guitar music. (my guitar CD collection now includes; Armik, Jesse Cook, Oscar Lopez, Ottmar Liebert, NovaMenco)

This is my first Strunz & Farah CD. I rate "Heat of the Sun" very highly indeed. Max. stars. Program content is excellent. plenty of variety from fast gorgeous numbers to slow sexy ones. The mix from the other instrumentalists adds real musical value to the total package. Well done! The sound quality of this CD is excellent as well.

All tracks in this CD are 5-star material, but my favorites got to be; Dark Fire; Jardin; and Recuerdo.

Great CD. Highly recommended.

This release evokes a beautiful tropical sunset on the beach, sipping on your favorite drink whilst knowing you are going to make passionate love to your significant other! The music is exciting, refreshing, sensual, lustful, passionate, and articulate, not to mention very melodious! The next best thing to sex is listening to Strunz & Farah (especially, this one, which is my fave) through my very revealing high end Magneplanar speakers, and being surrounded by the mellifluous tones of these perfectionists!!! Strunz & Farah totally rule!!!!!!!!!!!!

I see all the negative and positive critics about this compilation and I just want to say that maybe is New Flamenco or maybe is not but this CD makes me feel very happy when I listen to it. And that is enough for me.
This is definitely not Elevator or Dentist music.

I would recommend this CD. A friend of mine had this Cd, I liked it so much I had to get my own copy. I have also had a lot of other friends ask about this CD.

I'm not a deticated fan of tis music as others may be but if you are oing to start anywhere, this is one you want. To me, all the songs are gtreat to listen to. The songs will take you to another world.

This CD is fantastic for anyone who loves Flaminco and the Flaminco guitar. It surges with energy and might just have you "dancing in the streets" or rushing out to sign up for lessons. Enjoy it; you won't be disappointed. P.S. I have heard and seen live Flaminco in Seville, more than once, and this one really took me back with even greater awe and admiration, in addition to the otherwise wonderful memories.

OK let me just settle all this criticism for all those who may want to buy this cd. First of all I play flamenco guitar professionally. There are 50 different styles of flamenco that are well know and countless others that arene't so well known.
Within those styles are hundreds of compas most based on the city in Spain of origin. There are a myriad of time signatures including the 12 meter hemiolic which most common in Bulerias.
I have reviewed this and other CD's like Flamenco chill and comment without reserve that these are flamenco songs. The "modernization" of flamenco music can be equated to blues appearing in every rock recording for the last 50 years. An old type flamenco recording would usually be a concert piece from Tarraga or Jerez or one those classically trained flamenco artists. It could well be argued that they classicized flamenco which ripped out all the guts and soul of the music. The amazing picado runs, powerful rageos, and alzapua licks are all mandatory elements of flamenco. If one would participate in a juelgo they would see a cajon, castenettes, palmas, cante, baille etc...this is a letre..a play of sorts with everyone responding to the cante. To listen to this in a recording would be like listening to the sound of a baseball game..there would be so much missing that it would be a complete waste of time.
SO stop tying to be mr. know it all and just enjoy music for what it is..an expression of human emotion....peace out

i'm an amature but trust me this fusion of guitars is one of the BEST your ears could ever..rythym,skill,harmony all in one.

strunz & farah are amazing artists. i own several of their albums and each... well they all rival each other for the best among them. the guitar is amazingly well done, the instrumentals this band puts together is among the most intensely technical and passionate music i own. it's good.

each album has it's own flavour, and this one's kind of jungle-y. there is a rainforest-like percussion that accompanies some amazing guitar work. when i think of this album as opposed to the others, it's a bit more laid back. there's most definitely some rippin' latin guitaring going on... but it's more lying in the sun music if you ask me.

you owe it to yourself to at least hear some of their work, if you don't plan on going all out and buying the album... it's most definitely worth the listen. maybe try candela. and be sure to check out their other albums as well.

When I first bought Strunz and Farah's Americas (on cassette) in 1992 I played it over and over and over. 15 years later I still play this album frequently. I have given it as a gift to those of my closest friends and all have greatly appreciated the magic, beauty, and passion of this music.

This is one of those albums that truly carries you through a portal of relaxation to another dimention. A dimension in which you feel as if you were in some bungalow in the middle of Amazon sitting around a fire surrounded by talented guitar players and excellent flamenco dancers. It is truely an escape and a way to leave your world behind and experience true captivation by the sound of the guitar. In my opinion, the artwork on the cover of the album is a true depiction of the passionate music within. I have had this album for more than 10 years and have listened to it at least a 100 times - it just doesn't get old.

I would recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys latin flamenco guitar. The music is lush, beautiful, and exotic. It is also great to play for a garden party. I own three Strunz & Farah CDs and they are all awesome but Americas remains my favorite.

Can you imagine this??? This is the fifth time I have to buy the CD. Every time my friends leave my house after the party my CD Americas is gone.

Very nice compilation of Flamenco guitar music with a modern twist. I find this album to have the perfect selection of songs to ride my horse to. It is great music for the dressage rider as well as anyone who loves the Spanish guitar.

Purchased for a friend, who reports that it is a nice collection of flamenco music.

Flamenco or not. The album has great music. I love to play this in the night with sub-dued lightling. It gets you into a great mood. Audio quality is great at low or high volume. My favorite piece is by Mediteranean Breeze by Nova Menco.

This CD is absolutely fantastic!!! I have been listening to this almost everyday since I bought this a few months back. Its really great, especially after a long day at work - a fabulous way to unwind..it totally transforms your mood. Its soothing and at the same time invigorating, very rarely can something be both.

Also goes well with a glass of wine, with a book, for a nice evening with your partner, almost anything!! Even my 10 month old daughter just loves it!

And, oh yes, the guitar work is stupendous, out of the world - if you are a guitar aficionado, you GOT TO HAVE THIS.

Worth its weight in gold.

This CD is absolutely fantastic!!! I have been listening to this almost everyday since I bought this a few months back. Its really great, especially after a long day at work - a fabulous way to unwind..it totally transforms your mood. Its soothing and at the same time invigorating, very rarely can something be both.

Also goes well with a glass of wine, with a book, for a nice evening with your partner, almost anything!! Even my 10 month old daughter just loves it!

And, oh yes, the guitar work is stupendous, out of the world - if you are a guitar aficionado, you GOT TO HAVE THIS.

Worth its weight in gold.

Friday Night in San Francisco w/John McLaughlin, Paco De Lucia & Al Di Meola, this CD does
if you like fast, incredible guitar playing, this is a must!

Just when you think you've heard it all, something like Strunz and Farah comes along. This is pretty amazing stuff with blistering guitar solos overlaying beautiful chord work. Latin, Cuban, Middle Eastern, Brazilian flamenco all blend into a masterpiece. An absolute MUST for anyone interested in guitar.

This duo is simply gorgeous . It has such freshness and vitality in their expressive rhythm that you engage almost immediately . . Heat of the sun is a very appropriate
example ; Chincha is a peruan piece ; and Earthquake is one of the most moving and happy songs of the album , Selva is a piece whose character comes from the jazz and reminds us to Al Di Meola ; and last we come to the crown jewel of the album : Dark Fire : an erotic piece loaded of a dark poetry and suggesting light and shadows melody and clear Spanish influence .
Bola is a frenetic piece filled with Flamenco airs while Anaconda is the longer piece and gifted of experimental character, Twilight at the Zuq is a very Spanish work very expressive and Zapateao rhythm .
Jardin is my second choice , vivid piece filled of love for life and exquisite beating .
Americas is the last piece and it is the fussion piece the only of them not instrumental . It a cross between the latin mood and Spanish rapture .

This is the best Strunz and Farah album yet. There is a song for every mood and taste in this album. The intensity of the exotic music played by this duo capture you heart from the very first song. For those who love perfection this could be a great source of inspiration.I can't wait to see a DVD with the songs in this album. A MOST BUY!!!

This is the most amazing live guitar album I have ever heard. If you play this album once a day, for three weeks I guarantee you will loss 25 lbs. That's right. Twenty five pounds in three weeks. The guitar work is so fast, so precise, so energized when you hear it you will be jumping around like a bull frog in heat. This album is so great I am now the CEO of my own corporation. One year ago today I was pushing mops in a basement. Now I am the largest distributor of spark plug washers in the USA and I am expanding into Peru. So act now!

If you are a fan of S&F, you will really enjoy this collection. If you like guitar music, this is it for you too. And...if you just plain like very melodic sound, S&F does it perfectly on this album. Enjoy!

I saw S & F more than 10 years ago. They blew me away, then and I purchased many of their CD's since.

Looking over these passing years I can honestly say that they have multi-tons of technique---but there is no fire! I wonder if they ever get tired of playing the guitar?

I buy their stuff blind because I am never disappointed and always pleased and amazed as to what next can they possibly come up with.

The new Strunz and Farah CD "Fantaseo" has just been released from their own Selva label. This is without a doubt one of their most beautiful and seasoned recordings. They show a unity of heart and mind that is totally rare and the province of very few artists in any genre. I recommend it highly and without reservation.

The first cut, "Pasitos" (little steps) seems based on a kind of guajira rhythm, but feels quite Argentine or Cuban. The use of acoustic bass (played brilliantly by Carlitos Del Puerto) adds a deep bottom to the ensemble. Percussionist Joey DeLeon on Congas and Bongos is aided and abetted by the outrageous Cajon playing of Jimmy Branly, Cuban wunderkind percussionist extraordinaire. On violin, as always, the inestimable Charlie Bisharat adds sway and color. The Maldonado guitars are living wood in the hands of the guys.

"Bello Mundo" (Beautiful World) is a Spanish influenced ride through beautiful vistas and moods, wind swept and lush. Strunz has one of his finest solo moments on this piece and, as always, is complemented by the tender hearted Farah. The title piece "Fantaseo" has Farah using steel string and Majid Ghorbanian on Dombak adds drum flavor. The piece has a decidedly Spanish/Gypsy/Middle Eastern mystery to it.

The CD takes a rather remarkable turn at this point. "Southern Seas" is an homage to the beauty and verdance of lush Costa Rica, Jorge Strunz's country of origin. It has a decidedly Andean/South American jungle feel which has Strunz playing a devastating solo. The selection ends with the sound of Costa Rica's great symbol: the birdcalls of that nation.
With "Azure" Jorge Strunz has come full circle to his earliest days with Caldera. This is a piece he had wanted to record for some time with Ardeshir and finally it has seen the light of day. Again, Strunz plays a moody solo that is masterful in its use of space, shade and melody. Gary Meek is fine on Soprano Sax.

We move to the Middle East now with "Fortuneteller", with Farah's other steel string entry. We then arrive at perhaps one of the highlights of Ardeshir Farah's composing career "Navayeh Roosta", a Persian influenced ride almost Medeival in style. Armenian Shvi player Arrarat Petrosian is stunning on this remarkable instrument, a kind of penny whistle with soul. What a piece of music! "El Papelote" has a kind of Venezuelan heartbeat and reminds us again of the brilliance of Jorge Strunz as a composer. The pristine beauty of the Americas and the innocence of nature overall continue to be Jorge's muse. Hubert Laws makes a nice guest appearance on the final cut "Luxuriance" to close out the recording.

This is a seminal work of masters of the guitar who continue to create music that is highly inspired and deeply beautiful. A one of a kind recording

THIS CD IS VERY NICE.. A COMBIATION OF GUITARS/ MIDDLE EASTERN/PERSIAN AND SOME SOUTH AMERICAN MUSIC. USING PERSIAN INSTRUMENTS LIKE SANTUR,NAY,ZARB(TONBAK).VARIOUS MIDDLE EASTERN INSTRUMENTS LIKE DARABUKA, BOUZOUKI QANUN ETC AS WELL AS WESTERN INSTRUMENTS.

I have added this newer cd to my collection, and, as usual, I enjoy it a lot.

This is another wonderful album from my beloved dynamic duo, so I am admittedly biased, but I found this album to be extra-exciting due to the Desert Guitar promise. I belly dance, and found several songs on here wonderful for oriental dancing, although I was a little surprised at the understated percussion. To me, desert sounds (and I have quite the library of them by now) and drum go together. I don't think it would have detracted too much from the phenomenal guitar playing. A couple of the songs sound quite South American, which rather confused me. If that's what they were trying for, then great, if not, then perhaps a judicial use of tabla might have steered the sound farther east. I understand that the primary instrument here is guitar (duh!), but while the album is excellent for listening to, fun to dance to, and has a gorgeous cover (important somehow), the overall sound of the entire album didn't floor me with it's Middle Eastern ambiance. Reng and Zagros are worth the price of the album alone, and there is nothing on here that is less than fabulous, I want to emphasize this. A 'must have' for any dancers or world music fan's collection.

Even though it's supposed to be an album of desert guitars(middle east type), nonetheless, it is one of the best guitar albums i've heard in a long time. Strunz & Farah use combination of jazz, soft jazz, arabic belly dance, persian sufi music, latin pop etc. If you want to titillate your senses when listening music, this is it. Enjoy

Great sound. Wonderful guitar work. Sometimes it seems that they make it more complex than it needs to be, but if you like Classical Guitar this needs to be in your collection.

I must confess to a weakness for "best of" compilations. While hardcore fans of an artist or group may debate whether the selections do in fact represent the very best material, you generally get a lot of bang for the buck. And if you're already a big fan, you probably already own or have heard most of the group's recordings, so why would you want a "best of" CD? Generally, the concept is most appealing to a new listener, or someone who knows they aren't likely to run out and buy all the albums.

In this case we get sixty-seven minutes of very pleasant flamenco/latin/world beat/etc. acoustic guitar virtuosity. The professional reviewer has accurately described Strunz and Farah's style and talent. I would go further and say this CD captures the essence of their concept: Easy listening and soothing, but with enough touches of speed and dazzle to keep it exciting. I don't see how a fan of the guitar could not like it.

Now, I only wish somebody would release the music of Caldera, Jorge Strunz's latin/funk/fusion group of the 1970s, on CD. Since this isn't likely to happen, I strongly urge you to seek out vinyl copies of that group's work, particularly the eponymous debut album. Really great stuff. I think you'll be impressed by what a hot electric guitarist Jorge was in those days.

I realize some people argue that the selections on this disc are not that good, if you really listen to these guys, you'll realize every song they have done is the best. Whenever I want to feel relaxed, I just put any of their CD's on and go with it. If I was a doctor, I'd perscribe a heavey dose of S&F. What a cure.

Cultured with a touch of class. All their albums leave you relaxed and create a journey in your mind. You just want to relax in a big chair or lay with your mate, kick back and hear the strumming and the unique voice especially in "the Rainmaker"...To those of Us, not just listening to pop tunes or classic rock, you must obtain this one for social parties or events...they'll be coming up to you to ask,"Who's That Singing?"...Classy.

How can their greatest hits collection NOT include "Americas" and "Heat of the Sun"? Purchase "Live" instead for their greatest hits.

This is a collection of music that fuses Strunz' spanish style with Farah's arabian accents, but going farther by joining Latin American and Caribbean beats on most of the songs.

The final mix is superb. Strongly recomended

I have been a fan of S&F since their first album - Mosaico - and through their truly groundbreaking follow-on albums - Frontera, Guitarras, and the hauntingly beautiful Misterio.

However, these albums, deserving of cult-following as they were, clearly weren't paying the rent. So, as many before them - Pat Metheny, George Benson - they decided to go commercial.

As such, with the surge in "Vacation World Music" that was the equivalent of those cheap and nasty postcards you get at resorts (think Armik, Ottmar Liebert, and all those "Spanish Guitar" albums you can pick up at "Bed Bath and Beyond"), it seemed logical to fuse this, with a latent demand for clearly mainstream Hispanic dance music. And the result is one that clearly wipes those other poseurs off the musical map.

This is straight ahead Hispanic/World fusion dance/pop music. Catchy, if derivative, themes abound (Strunz has an almost supernatural knack for a memorable melody that evokes whatever part of the world his mind wanders to).

One thing it most definitely is not is Flamenco. Even Mr Strunz himself - in an interview for "Guitar Player" magazine - was at pains to point this out, and even went as far as to say that he has many friends who are true Flamenco players who he would not want to insult. Anyone who really wants to hear true Flamenco guitar needs to look towards the likes of Ramon Montoya, Sabicas, Manolo Sanlucar, Tomatito and Paco De Lucia. Artists who are true Flamenco, but have intelligently introduced new influences, include Vincente Amigo and Gerardo Nunez (with whom S&F have recorded).

But while other artists - Armik and Liebert in particular - have no grounding in true Flamenco or Jazz and, instead, attempt weak similies with limited techniques and with all the authenticity of Greek Sake, Strunz and Farah, with their depth of experience, pull off something all the more respectable. Their clear nods to Paco De Lucia in "Ida Y Vuelta", while a little pedestrian to those of use who've seen Paco live, show a depth of influence and understanding that their peers cannot even begin to understand, let alone mimic.

However, at the end of the day, this is artistically substandard to their more accomplished early work. And of course it is not meant to be anything other than what it is: clearly, this is a fine album for all those people hooked on pseudo-Flamenco, but who find "Flamenco Puro" just a little too lacking in simple hooks and catchy riffs. And S&F deserve to be congratulated for having the business sense to fund their true passions with commercial work that is polished and has integrity.

But for those looking for something more than Mexican Restaurant background music, I suggest looking elsewhere.

This is the one that got the Grammy. Excellent music. Specilly for guitar lovers like me.

Strunz & Farah are INCREDIBLE, masterful guitarists! If you like Latin, Meditteranean, Flamenco, etc. nylon string acoustic guitar, you will LOVE these guys! Jorge Strunz hails from Costa Rica, and Ardeshir Farah from Iran. The eclectic beautiful guitar sound is 'Latin meets Middle Eastern', and if this gorgeous playing doesn't touch your soul, you are an automaton! The guitar playing is highly soulful, passionate, and emotional. Acoustic guitar doesn't get any better than this! Clockwork performance!

The dynamite guitar duo Jorge Strunz and Ardeshir Farah make musical magic and create a wonderful new, high energy sound for the acoustic guitar. Costa Rican Strunz's and Iranian born Farah's fusion of Middle Eastern, Latin American and Mediterranean music is simply outstanding. I had mentioned to a friend how much I enjoy the Gipsy Kings. He proceeded to play "Primal Magic" for me, which I immediately bought - my first Strunz and Farah album. While not the same mixture of Flamenco and Spanish the Kings produce, there is a certain quality in these exotic instrumental cuts that is somewhat reminiscent of their style - perhaps the Mediterranean influence with a wild touch of the gypsy.

"Huixamatli" (Luna Llena), with its enticing, indigenous sound of ancient Mexico and exotic percussion, is one of my favorite tracks, as is the Andean cueca "Zumba," and "Twilight at the Zuq" with it's Near Eastern rhythms. "Anochecer" is more nuevo flamenco and one can hear calls of tropical birds and the voices of the rainforest and river, in "Amazonas." "Rainmaker is a fabulous cut with Mexican vocalist and percussionist Ixonztli performing a traditional chant.

I love this award-winning CD, one of my favorites and highly recommend it, especially to those who love the sound of acoustic guitar and world music.
JANA