Search - Vicente Amigo :: De Mi Corazon Al Aire

Intense modern flamenco from a young, brooding maestro.

Mr. Stuart Robert Harris | Bradford-on-Avon, UK | 01/31/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On the way from Granada to Cordoba, a Spanish friend put this into her cassette player and blew me away. An even newer way of playing real flamenco than Paco de Lucia.Behind the apparent free-form abandon of flamenco are strictly laid down rhythmic and harmonic patterns that the guitar has to obey so that the dancers can do their stuff. It's playing within those strict rules and bending them that make it so exciting.With this CD, the young Vicente Amigo (experienced accompanist to others) took centre stage for the first time and showed how to play real flamenco in a modern way. Not the limp, chug-along pseudo flamenco-lite of Ottmar Liebert, but rather astonishing virtuosity combined with power and tenderness.The production compresses the sound somewhat, giving it a lot of edge, plus there are some studio tricks like echoes. But what you hear is basically just Vicente and his acoustic guitar. And unlike all those amped-up guitar heroes, this is a guy who could sound just as amazing in a power cut.This one is highly recommended, even for easy listening aficionados - there's hardly any of that hard-edged flamenco singing. Also highly recommended, "Tauromagia" by Manolo Sanlucar, featuring an even younger Vicente. Worth waiting for."

Quite simply, a sonic masterpiece not to be overlooked

Manny Hernandez | Bay Area, CA | 08/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was first exposed to Vicente Amigo several years ago through this work in Spanish Alejandro Sanz's hit "Corazon Partio" where he glided through the Spanish guitar effortlessly like a God. I later picked up this album and to me it's become a standard that equates to great Flamenco music any day. Born in Sevilla, and raised in Cordoba, he was winning international awards from an early age and playing alongside legends such as Paco de Lucia, Keith Richards and Bob Dylan as early as 1992.



"De Mi Corazon Al Aire" marked Vicente Amigo's debut, and the start of a career that has resulted in five more productions so far. The album is packed with awe inspiring moments that balance musical prodigy with touching melodies that transport you to the heart of Andalucia with no effort, with an occasional moorish touch here and there. It's hard to pick a favorite, but if forced to do it, it'd be "Morente". When I listen to it, I can close my eyes and picture myself sitting in a bar in one of Spain's pueblos blancos. Quite simply, a sonic masterpiece not to be overlooked."

Go amigo !

EThere | UK | 03/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i picked this up a few years ago, this being the first flamenco type cd i've own. i am no professor on flemenco music, but till this day i have not found anything that measures up; and i always keep an ear open to anything of such status.



amigo is a matador on the fretboard, playing in the ring of his feeling. he has unique lascivious style incorporating elements of grace, speed, strength, stillness and melliflous melody that leave one breathless wondering the source of its creativity. many flamenco guitarists get carried away displaying their dexterity and virtuoso on the strings of the guitar with furious forceful flurries of notes - which is fine, playing with flame is much part of the spanish way (flame/flamenco) and musicians must display skill - but loose sight of qualities such as melody, the light delicate playing touch and pockets of silence - complementing speed and power. vincent utilises this balance with grace. he lets emotion be his guide; its the backdrop behind the spontaneous motion of the music; combined with most supernal guitar skills, this is rare indeed, this IS potent.



sadly this work seems to be a one off, unequalled in his other cd's; maybe due to its inherent complexity of this work; i can't blame him; but then i hope he has not been influences by the media mincing machines that tend to slice up original talant that made someone someone in the first place and force them to produce stuff that apeals to the masses. amigo stop! take a step backwards. i pray i hear this genius of yours exercised at full stretch again someday. go go amigo."