LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

The music Sabicas plays creates a world of love, rhythm, and death. It is not a world in which the intellect is of much use, for the music seeks to communicate deep emotions, the darkest feelings one tries to avoid. Flamenco in the hands of the great gypsies is a constant striving to express this duality. No guitarist of the 20th century has expressed this better or more profoundly than Sabicas." -- Cynthia Gooding, from her liner notes to this Rhino Handmade release Sabicas is known the world over as one of the premier guitarists of the 20th Century, admired by flamenco and classical players alike. His pitch is said to be perfect, his dexterity approaching light speed. He lived the fascinating life of a true Spanish gypsy. According to their tradition, the gypsy has but two sides to his nature: the pleasure he must seek in this life balanced with a constant awareness of death. Love is central -- without it, death is preferable to life. These simple yet profound aspects of gypsy life are the bedrock of this most intense and visceral musical form. Spaniards believe that all forms of flamenco derive from seguiriyas, the "deepest" songs; and soleares, the "lesser" songs. The former ponder the endless sorrow of humankind, while the latter tap into its joys and fleeting pleasures. Many of the selections on this CD are identified accordingly ("Soleares," "Seguiriya," "Solera Gitana," "Solea Por Bulerias"). As for the rest, Spanish speakers will discern by their titles the balance between these primary emotions. But perhaps the most fun will be had by non-Spanish-speaking aficionados, their clues coming solely from the music itself. Sabicas recorded three volumes of solo guitar for Elektra in the late 1950s. The first volume is included here in its entirety, along with magical selections from the second and third. Also featured are two previously unreleased tracks, fascinating antecedent versions from the earliest, unreleased sessions, never before heard. These recordings offer the most concentrated experience of Flamenco, with all its fire, depth, intensity and incredible life force. Sabicas: The Greatest Flamenco Guitarist is available as an individually numbered limited edition of 2,500 copies.
TRACK LISTING BULERIAS (3:30) FARRUCA (3:10) FANDANGO (4:48) SOLEA POR BULERIAS (2:35) GRANADINA (4:21) SOLEARES (4:00) SEGUIRIYA (4:59) MALAGUEÑA (3:41) ALEGRIAS (2:50) TARANTA (3:52) GUAJIRA (2:52) FARRUCA (4:52) MILONGA FLAMENCA (2:18) SALINAS GAITANAS (ALEGRIAS) (3:19) SOLERA GITANA (SOLEARES) (3:26) FIESTA DE SABICAS (BULERIAS) (2:30) ECOS FLAMENCOS (SEQUIDILLA) (3:34) RUMORES FLAMENCAS (SOLEÁ POR BULIERA) (2:42) AIRES CARTAGENEROS (TARANTA) (4:04) BULERIAS #2 CON PALMAS (3:33) TIENTOS (3:29)