[.ca] Flamenco Y Rosas

The guy dresses up like Zorro:
I would have to agree with the other 1 star reviewer. Being a musician myself this Esteban really seems awful. I have seen the infomercial....i don't even think he is Spanish...........The guy is a halloween costume at best..Save the $ And buy a Segovia CD.

Review from a flamenco guitarist:
I see a few flamencos here giving these CD's a one star rating. I know flamenco and not just the Madrid tourist flamenco. Give the man a break. No way could a college student wannabe guitarist play like this, as one reviewer states. Esteban's technique is good, maybe not the absolute best in the flamenco world, but then he doesn't play "flamenco puro". This album is more "Spanish Guitar" than real flamenco, and I believe this is what upsets some of his critics. What Esteban is doing is making a niche for himself playing Spanish folk rhythms with a little flamenco thrown in. It works out fine. You can't please everyone, there are some people who hate guitarits who use a pic (not that Esteban does) and so they dish great guitarists like Jesse Cook. Everyone has a theory. 99% of guitarists would die to play like Esteban. I recently watched a video of Juan Serrano, a well respected flamenco guitarist, and while their techniques were approximately equal, Esteban seems more relaxed and I suspect his music will have wider appeal. Yes, he does take liberties with compas or perfect flamenco rhythm. But so did the great gypsy guitarist, Diego del Gastor. This is not gypsy flamenco, it is not the virtuoso flamenco of Sabicas, but it is rather nice for easy listening, to set a Spanish mood, and generally very well done. Hard to beat these CDs for a candlelit evening.

One mic show.:
Though he seems to play effortless guitar,he and his music was more captivating on the infomercial on HSN. Personally i liked the blend of his playing with the trumpet player accenting it. However on this cd set- there is TOO much of esteban and all of the backgroung instruments/music is cranked way down(cut their nads off)-even over the trumpet solos where Esteban plays a simple rythm. Whoever did the final mix and mastering of the c.d. didn't get it right. I think true music fans would appreciate a more full arrangement with sound levels equal, i know they are spotlighting the Artist but support music is just as important! instead ,its a one microphone show........ but thats my opinion. kudos to the trumpeter.

Great potential but in the end dissapointing:
I should have paid more attention to most of the reviews. This Esteban is a good marketeer and good for him - he has sold over two million CDs. The problem - his music is great to listen to when you are not paying attention to it. If you are in the mood to pay attention to it or you are playing the CD in your car, you will notice that he almost destroys the originals. For one thing, why is it that he decided to use electronic drums - Now, he is playing an acoustic guitar for heavens sake. Please don't buy this CD for it musicianship or originality just buy it for filling up the silence in a party. Sorry Esteban you are dissapointing.

Estaben is a good self promoter, but thats all:
Estaben constantly uses the Segovia name to promote himself. This album like his others do not use any of the Segovia repertoire. This cd (like most of Estaben's) is on a second year classical guitar level. The flamenco is also as bad. The bulerias and solearies are off compass in several places and completly lack any duende. Leaving it flat and lifeless. If you want to hear a real Segovia protege I would suggest listening to John (guitarist) Williams. For traditional flamenco there is Sabicas 'Flamenco Puro' For modern flamenco, Paco deLucia.s 'Siroco'. Don,t waste your money on Flamenco y' Rosas. Its a real stool softener.

• Lonely Bull (Intro) (2:06)
• Lonely Bull (6:49)
• Besame Mucho (Intro) (4:34)
• Besame Mucho (6:39)
• Perfidia (Intro) (4:29)
• Perfidia (5:23)
• Runaway (Intro) (5:19)
• Runaway (5:46)
• Golden Earrings (6:10)
• Sevillanas (Esteban) (5:25)
• Maria Elena (Intro) (3:03)
• Maria Elena (4:25)
• El Rio de Vida (Esteban) (6:35)
• Spanish Eyes (Intro) (4:40)
• Spanish Eyes (5:48)
• Soleares (Esteban) (8:24)
• Bulerias (Esteban) (4:16)
• Tarantas (Intro) (9:27)
• Tarantas (5:15)
• Guajiras (4:49)
• Malaguena (Intro) 5:28
• Malaguena (6:42)