Album Club - Week 95: 28.05.2013: Strunz & Farah - Strunz & Farah Live (1999)

[Album Club]

Thanks to John (http://theartofsound.net/forum/member.php?u=294) for this week's selection:

Strunz & Farah - Strunz & Farah Live (1997)
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/300x300/33082919.jpg
spotify:album:0nOhPKkkIz7LaAvpCfmQ1n

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strunz_%26_Farah

I have 4 acoustic guitar based albums that I love in equal measure, what they share is that they have some jazz influences as well as music from other cultures.

Strunz and Farah are Nuevo flamenco players that have the chops of Paco DeLucia and Al DiMeola and mixes music from Spain, The Middle East and South America with Jazz improvisation.

The music is passionate no holds barred acoustic music. It certainly will not be to everyone's liking due to the insanity this is certainly not easy listening.

Highlights include Silva, they have totally transformed this live - and Bola due to its passion. For me this album opened up so much new music, it was the first world fusion album I really loved and also took me on a journey of exploring Nuevo Flamenco.

[Tim]

I don't know it, but I have no doubt I'm going to like this one ;)

[John]

These guys can really play but it needs a system that can give you that toe tapping experience
I must admit I was very tempted to choose Friday Night In San Francisco

[synsei]

Playing it right now John. My feet are well and truly tapping... :D

[RichB]

A 5 from me, not my usual cuppa but for some reason I'm now thinking about my next holidays!

In the right place I'm sure i'd love it but after a killer of a day back at work following the bank holiday it feels a bit out of context.

Fabulous musicians though, no arguing with that.

[synsei]

This made a very nice change from some of the fare I have been listening to of late. Quite frantic in parts and there's no doubting these guys know their way around a fretboard. Having said that I do tend to gravitate towards a more laid back sound these days therefore it wouldn't be on my 'Ten Most Played Albums' list. 8/10 :)

[John]

Understand the playing pretty intense I still love that but know its not for everyone

[losenotaminute]

I've just listened all the way through and enjoyed the album, voting it a 7 out of 10.

My only criticism is that many of the tracks are quite similar in style, so it lacks a little variety. Great rhythms and technical ability. I imagine they are a good band to see live, thanks for sharing.

Lawrence

[Bazil]

I can't dismiss this is fine playing but as a listening experience it did nothing for me sorry, 3/10

[keiths]

This kind of thing is right up my street. Excellent playing 8/10

[The Grand Wazoo]

I thought I'd already voted on this one - catching up on a lot of Album Club stuff tonight!
I really like this one - even on Spotify, the attack of the playing comes across really well.
8/10 from me after a couple of plays - which of their other albums would you recommend for us to investigate, John?

[John]

The first is a classic get it on vinyl if you can (Mosaico) also Misterio yet again worth getting this on vinyl recorded by Water Lilly so just pure class recording

[MartinT]

This would be truly thrilling to listen to live. I don't know what it is about listening to a recording but it's not keeping my attention, perhaps too many connotations with my foreign travels - I need to be there to fully get into the atmosphere. 5/10.

[John]

Yes watching them live is a great experience

[pjdowns]

I like this album, John, but it is not my favourite, I've gone with 7/10 :)