Search - Diego El Cigala :: Corren Tiempos De Alegria / Teatro Real

Flamenco from Spain

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 04/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Diego "El Cigala" is one of the of the foremost current proponents of flamenco music coming from Spain. This double disc finds him in fine form.The first twelve songs on the track listing are studio recordings found on disc 1 and the last six make up disc 2 which was recorded live from theTeatro Real in Madrid one summer day in 2002. There is plenty of variety as is indicated by the track listing of bulerias , tangos etc. Essentially it is the full spectrum of flamenco but with a mix of tradition and contemporary flavors. Take for example the buleria "Gitanos de la cava" where the jazz trumpet and bass lines create a nuevo flamenco sound that mixes perfectly with "El Cigalas" mournful vocals. The beautiful and lively guajira "Senor del aire" features Cuban pianist Bebo Valdes playing a prominent part of the song on the ivory keys for a great song dedicated to Juan Valderrama. Valdes is featured on several other songs most notably on the bolero "Amar y vivir" that has a Cuba meets Spain feel to it. "La fuente de Bebo" is a happy buleria that has a rhythmic interchange between "El Cigala" and Valdes that is similar to the fine disc the two recorded entitled "Lagrimas Negras" which is also recommended.The use of flute infuses a jazzy Middle Eastern flair to many of the songs which results in more nuevo flamenco meets old school flamenco. The chorus and palmas(hand clapping )can be find throughout the disc often in exuberant fashion. The live from Teatro Real disc 2 is pure flamenco and features the only solea on both discs entitled "Fuente de conocimiento" where the guitar is pure and compliments "El Cigalas" voice.The fandango closing out the disc entitled "El dia que yo me muero"is dedicated to matador Curro Romero much to the delight of the audience for a fitting ending to a nice double disc. A pleasing addition to any flamenco collection , this CD is pure flamenco with only hints of nuevo flamenco. Recommended for the flamenco afficionado of today."