Late '70s Spanish progressive outfit which in many ways is typical
of the other bands from that country. They mix excellent guitar (a
trademark of bands from Spain) with Spanish folk influences. Vocals
are in Spanish, in the Andalusian style. These albums are nice, but
they are not the best that Spain has to offer. For the Spain novice, I
recommend to check out Bloque,
Triana, Crack,
Mezquita and
Granada. (Juan Joy)
Elixir, the only Azahar I have heard, is very good Spanish prog with
hints of middle eastern influences often heard in Spanish prog. Style-
wise, Azahar are in the vein of Mezquita,
though not quite as good.
Dominated by distinctive guitar style, over layers of synth. When they
use acoustic guitar, they sound somewhat comparable to
Triana, but
with less obvious flamenco influences. The electric guitar can get very
intense. The synth textures and tones is very reminiscent of
Mezquita.
The instrumentals are very nice, starting with a subdued theme and
building layer upon layer to a climax. Vocals, in Spanish, are kind of
rough but not overbearing. (Mike Taylor)
I disagree in several points because I lived all the Azahar's career. They
can not be compared to Triana since Triana
amde what they call Flamenco Rock without using arab sounds. Mezquita appeared after the big impact of
Azahar, that reached the top of the charts, doing flamenco rock with
arab touches, using the most advanced technology of their time, that
other flamenco rock bands did not use. They were a very innovative
band, very compromised with their ideals of liberty. They had to stop
their recordings because the censors of the regim realized that they
were asking for the legalization of marihuana and the singer Dick
Zappala was arrested and put out from Spain (he was foreigner).
Anyway, the guitarrist Antonio Valls went to Italy and he brought him
back ans an illegal. All those adventures make Azahar the most
contracultural band of that time and thousands of people joined in their
concerts.(?)
"Elixir" has been recently re-released by Fonomusic.
Review of the record "Elixir"
Review of the record "Azahar"
Interview with Jorge "Flaco" Barral (in spanish)
MySpace of Dick Zappala
The Spanish Progressive Rock Encyclopedia![[sorry]](/img/ar12.jpg)
dlsi.ua.es
and the entry will be updated. Thanks for your collaboration!
