HOLA, AFICIONADOS DEL ROCK ANDALUZ!!

After the great compilations Rock Andalus (CD) and Duende Electrico (2-CD), here is a new and excellent doorway to the captivating and often exciting Spanish progressive rock: a box set entitled Hijos Del Agobio Y Del Dolor (subtitle: Pioneros Y Origines Del Rock Andaluz) featuring a 2-CD and a docu DVD.

On CD 1 and 2 you will find many legendary socalled Rock Andaluz bands like Triana, Medina Azahara, Qualdalquivir, Mezquita, Azahar, Alameda, Iman and Cai. These bands, spearheaded by Triana, blended several styles like symphonic rock, hardrock, jazzrock and rock with flamenco, the ethnic music from Andalusia (Southern Spain): the one moment you will be carried away by a virtuosic flamenco guitar intro, palmas (handclapping) or wailing, expressive vocals, the other moment you will be stunned by howling electric guitar, Hammond and Mellotron waves or quick synthesizer flights, a very exciting experience! Also featured are interesting groups that are more mixing flamenco with blues and rock like Miguel Rios (intricate Morish atmosphere) and All & Nothing (flamenco with swinging piano and fiery guitar) or bands with strong flamenco overtones like Camaron De La Isla (pleasant flamenco guitar work but also a flashy synthesizer solo) and Vega (accessible and catchy flamenco-pop). The band The Storm is more in the vein of Rare Bird and Procol Harum delivering a Hammond organ drenched sound. CD-2 is more focussed on special sounding bands like Tabletom (swinging mix of flute, saxophone and piano) and Gualberto (wonderful blend of flamenco, raw electric guitar and vintage keyboards like the string-ensemble), the bluesy Cuarto Menguante and the Sixties band Tarantos (1969) delivering a pleasant mix of pop, rock and flamenco. My highlight is the track Nuevo Dia by Lole Y Manuel featuring moving female vocals, wailing cello, some Mellotron and great flamenco guitar work, an exciting, very compelling song!

The DVD is a docu about the development of the Spanish progressive rock between the late Sixties and early Seventies, focussed on the known band Smash. Their guitarplayer Gualberto tells his story along many other legendary or known early Spanish progressive rock musicians. The docu also contains stories about the Underground scene, the drugs, the gypsies and the blend of flamenco and fusion. Unfortunately there is little live footage from bands, only some shots from Gong and Smash but no Cai, Triana or Azahar. Nonetheless, this docu (in Spanish, not subtitled) is a warm and pleasant view on an unique progrock scene.

IF YOU WANT TO DISCOVER THE EXCITING SPANISH PROGROCK SCENE, THIS BOX SET IS A MUST!!

Erik Neuteboom (Prog Archives, Progwalhalla, Background Magazine)