It's admittedly tough to write a well-informed review of a Paco De Lucía album, firstly because I know very little about Spanish flamenco music, and secondly, because everything here sounds so sublime that it's difficult to describe this album any way other than "Fuck yeah, this is awesome!!" With that said, this is one of Paco's early albums, from a time before he grew his hair long and started to look more and more like David Carradine in Kill Bill with each passing day. This is Paco solo, just a man and his guitar, as he had not yet started recording with gypsy vocalist Camarón de la Isla. As I've said, my knowledge of Spanish music is pretty slim, but it ought to be obvious to even the most uncultured ears that this man is a bona fide master of his craft. Melodies weave around melodies weaving around even more melodies, all conjured out of one six-string guitar. But what sets Paco apart from other flamenco guitarists, at least in my mind, is not his virtuosity or his mind-blowing speed, but his ability to adapt any melody to his personal, highly-developed style. There's not a single forgettable tune here, and none of them feel like indulgent skill showcases. Each song manages to evoke its own distinct vibe: "Mantilla de Feria" is alternately festive and plaintive, "Panderos Flamencos" is stately and noble, and "Lamento Minero" is heartbreaking in its minor-key beauty. Hear a master at work.
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