[1] Undebel performed by Dieguito El Cigala - 3:38
[2] Alejandría performed by Tomatito - 4:06
[3] Remedios performed by Navajita Platéa - 3:06
[4] Tu y Yo performed by Arrebato - 4:06
[5] Mi Mari Tere performed by Lole - 3:00
[6] Dos Toreros performed by Amaya, Remedios - 4:17
[7] Soleares performed by Iturralde, Pedro - 3:52
[8] Sale el Sol performed by Morente, Enrique - 3:57
[9] Me Quisiste, Me Olvidaste performed by Linares, Carmen - 3:13
[10] Por Tu Amor performed by Fernández, Miguel - 2:23
[11] Echame a Mi la Culpa performed by De Córdoba, Delores - 2:10
[12] Alguien Canto performed by Amina - 2:13
[13] Los Ejes de Mi Carreta performed by Lobato, Chano - 3:12
[14] Chamelona performed by De Cádiz, Pericón - 2:33
[15] Era un Señor Muy Devoto performed by Peroche, Cojo - 3:26
In most compilations, you get the good, the bad, and the ugly. The
songs in this one fall pretty much in the good category. Although the
collection is lightweight and pop in its approach to the music most of
the time (do we really need another version of Bill Withers's "Just the
Two of Us"?), much of Son del Sur still shines. The Latin-flamenco feel
of Navajita Platéa is lilting, with a sweet single violin weaving
around lead singer Pelé's equally lilting voice. Among the better-known
performers on the record are Amina (we get a pure flamenco roots piece
from 1970) and Carmen Linares, who is accompanied by two great
guitarists, Pepe Habichuela and Juan Carmona, in another of the
traditional-style songs on the album. There are some choice recordings
from the '60s and '70s in this vein as well. On the adventurous side is
singer Remidios Amaya, with a band that blends tradition with
contemporary innovation without a trace of trendiness. In all, 10
notable tracks out of 15, making for a good compilation.
Louis Gibson, Amazon.com
This collection is a vibrant, joyful celebration of all things
flamenco, featuring 15 tracks spanning the last 30 years of this
sensuous, rapidly evolving Latin musical style. It includes lush,
layered vocal/guitar/percussion extravaganzas like Dieguito el Cigala’s
“Undebel,” virtuoso guitar instrumentals such as Tomatito’s “Alejandria
(Rhumba),” and even saxophonist Pedro Iturralde’s lively duet with
guitarist Paco del Algeciras on the slow, evocative “Soleares.” Arebato
offers “Tu y Yo,” a sensual, jazzy adaptation of Bill Withers’ “The Two
of Us.” My only complaint about this exemplary sampler is that,
although personnel are listed for each track, no supportive information
is provided about the compositions or even the nationalities of the
diverse performers. That small quibble aside, Flamenco: Son del Sur
provides a rich, joyful 50 minutes of musical diversion.
Michael Parrish, Dirty Linen August 1, 1999
5 stars. A welcome introduction to singers on the scene in Spain today.
An extremely exhilarating selection, the names of both those singing,
and accompanists are a veritable contemporary Who's Who. Each track is
distinctive.
