I have limited funds with which to acquire additional cante CDs, so I'm always on the lookout for other people's recommendations, "Ten-Best Lists", "Desert Island Disks", etc. I especially like sessions with a strong juerga flavor. So far, I've mentioned two recordings from the 1950s as favorites of mine: Festival Gitana and Danzas Flamencas. In hopes this will encourage others to post their favorites also, I offer two more disks for consideration: Cante Flamenco, Nimbus CD #NI 5251, and Cante Gitano, Nimbus CD #NI 5168. Both were recorded by Robin Broadbank and Phil Slight at juergas in Moron de la Frontera; both feature Paco del Gastor, sometimes joined by his brother Juan del Gastor, providing accompaniment.

Cante Flamenco displays the singing of Chano Lobato, Manuel de Paula, Gaspar de Utrera, Miguel Funi, and El Cabrero (who was recorded in concert). Great stuff, especially the soleas of Manuel de Paula and El Cabrero, the siguiriya of El Cabrero, and the 28-minute bulerias of the first-named 4 cantaores. Recorded in 1989.

Cante Gitano, which I like even a tiny bit more, offers Jose de la Tomasa, Maria la Burra, and Maria Solea. Every selection is marvelous. Recorded in 1988.

Both disks offer real live you-are-there cante, the way it was always meant to be. Very highly recommended. Enjoy!

Carlos

Carlos, I have the CD "Cante Gitano" with del Gastor's. It is great. Let me recommend you purchase Steve Kahns CD Flamenco de la Frontera with Marysol. If you like cante then Marysol is a must listen. http://www.stevekahn.com/guitarist/index.html

scroll down to the picture of the CD and mp3 files and you can get a free listen. This was recorded 2005 but all old style flamenco and worth a listen. Also check out or video board. I have posted lots of cante there that should be to your liking. Feel free to add your favorite videos if not already posted. I like the old ones where they are sitting around a table having fun and use the table for a rhythm instrument.

Sam, thanks much for your Steve Kahn/Marysol CD suggestion--I'll have to check it out. As I indicated before, I still only have dial-up, so videos, YouTube etc. are not yet a serious possibility for me, but I hope to correct that soon. And folks, keep those recommendations coming!

Carlos

After 40 years playing flamenco, I have decided I can't be a complete guitarist unless I become proficient at cante accompaniment -- maybe even learn a little cante myself. SO, I would really appreciate the names of any CD's that have the letras in the CD booklet so that my singer (and I) can learn them from the CD. So far I have turned up the 18 listed below. Can anyone add to this list?

Thanks,
Tony Arnold

CD’s/vinyl with letras in the dust cover:

1. Danzas Flamencas, the old Decca LP, #DL 9758. only avail on vinyl

2. Estrella Morente's ' Mi cante y un Poema' and " Calle del Aire"

3. "Los Gitanos cantan Lorca". Includes Cameron, Pata Negra, DIego Carrasco, Manzanita, Esperanza Fernandez and many more.

4. Flamenco de Triana (de Almaden, Escudero, and Ramos)

5. the Sevillanas CD from solo Compas -- and probably other Solo Compas CD's?

6. Cante por cante; Discolibro didactico, 2002; ISBN 84-932573-0-3
(www.cdpoolmusic.com)

7. "Castillo de arena" El Camaron de la Isla / PdL; PolyGram Ibérica

8. Cante Flamenco - Recorded Live in Juerga and Concert in Andalucia (Nimbus Records)

9. Chano Lobato, Manuel de Paula, Gaspar de Utrera, Miguel Funi, El Cabrero

10. Chano Lobato - Que 20 Anos no es nada

11. Tomatito - Aguadulce (3/8 tracks)

12. Agujetas - Cantaor (flamenco vivo)

13. Juan Habichuela - De la zambra al duende & Campo del Principe

14 Camaron - Potro de rabia y miel

15. Jose Merce - Lio & Quebrando el aire


Web resources:

16. http://letrasdeflamenco.blogspot.com/ letras with audio

17. http://www.flamenco-letras.de/verzeichnis.html (in German) very similar to the next entry:

18. http://www.telefonica.net/web2/flamencoletras/ has just letras, no audio – but a huge resource that covers many recordings that are available, in including the entire Rito y Geografia.

Hi Tony--just a note that your entries No. 8 and 9 are the same disk--it's Nimbus CD #NI 5251. Great recording!

Carlos

Sam, I'm glad we both like the Nimbus "Cante Gitano" CD so much; it's a tribute to our shared, excellent taste. And it is a fabulous recording indeed!

Carlos

Hi a_arnold

Just to add to your list of cd's with letras, This set of which you have already mentioned 2 or 3 has some html pages on the first cd with the letras to all the cante on all cd's in both English y Español, obviously this does not become apparent until you browse the cd in your pc.

Cante Gitano, Cante Flamenco, Flamenco de la Frontera, Cante Andaluz all in box set Flamenco Live NI1744, UPC: 710357174421.

garyo

Garyo, thanks much for your recommendations of the other 2 Nimbus CDs, Flamenco de la Frontera and Cante Andaluz. I'll have to give them a listen.

A suggestion for our Administrator--Does it make sense to set up our various recording (CD or LP) recommendations in a sub-forum that also will not disappear "over the horizon"? That way, newcomers to the forum looking for authentic Old School Flamenco recordings will be able to check out the various suggestions.

Carlos

Flamenco de la Frontera is Steve Kahn's CD with Marysol. I wasn't aware it was included in a box set but that is great news.

This Flamenco De La Frontera has no cante. It is all Paco Del Gastor solos. It was recorded in 1992 in the church of San Miguel in front of an audience. The 1st track, Morón, Parte de Mi has cajón and ELECTRIC BASS accompaniment Yeah thats what i thought but it is not too intrusive and really is still a great piece.

I have it ripped to mp3 so if you would like to test the water message me and I'll dropload you the track..

regards
garyo