Zambra Poora.mp3

I hadn't played or really thought about this palo in 35 years until yesterday when Bob mentioned working on a Zambra on his negra while looking out at the pacific ocean. I started messing around trying to remember how I played it in the 70's after seeing Sabicas perform it in concert. Bob mentioned using a D tuning on the 6th string, but I liked the feel and sound of E on my 2010 Maple and Spruce Tsiorba. Never appreciated this palo as much as I do on the Tsiorba because of the response to ligato and the perfect sustain for a palo requiring interesting syncopation's and haunting harmonies. It sounds great on my 74 rosewood homebrew, but it doesn't quite have the ease of manipulation and response of the Tsiorba. It would be great to hear others playing Zambra. Mine is played all improvisational.

That sounds great Sam.

I didn't use to like Zambra Moras much and often skipped over them when listening to flamenco recordings. They are distinctively different than other palos and didn't sound "flamenco" to me. However, I developed a great fondness for traditional Arabic Oud music while repeatedly travelling through various middle-eastern countries on business trips and suppose the general similarities between Zambra Moras and traditional Arabic music eventually caused me to like Zambra Moras.

-Bob

Zambra 74 Negra.mp3

Thanks Bob. Here is the 74 negra for comparison. Hard to say which I like the best.

Sam,
Beautiful!!! I think you capture the essence of this tune perfectly. Both versions sound great, but in comparison I somewhat prefer the 74 negra. The basses seem to project a bit more and I think the greater sustain fits this solo very well.
Roland

Thanks Roland and I agree. The 74 negra has phenomenal basses unlike any other guitar I had ever played or heard. Zambra and Guajiras really sound good on it.