Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.
This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.
We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.
|
|
|
Morao y Oro
|
You are logged in as Guest
|
|
Users viewing this topic: none
|
|
Login  | |
|
   
Miguel de Maria
Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ
|
 Morao y Oro
|
|
|
I'd like to open a discussion on this album to get people's impressions of it. I recently bought a lot of music, and this CD was one of them.
Of course I had heard a lot about Moraito, so I expected a lot. Apparently too much--because after about 4 listenings, it's hard to see what the fuss is about. He opens with a Sevillanas played with such force and agression that I feel sorry for the guitar. There is little ornamention or subtlety, and overall the interpretation more on the barbaric side than what I would expect, a graceful and jovial style.
Having heard the piece "buleriando" mentioned, I expected a lot too. A couple of the arpeggio falsetas are nice, and it seems that this is a major part of this style. Since he's a Jerezano, I expected to get my socks blown off here. Again, it really didn't do much for me.
Repeated listenings turned up that I actually enjoyed his Tangos most of all--a couple of the falsetas I enjoyed very much. One of the arpeggio-based ones was simple but effective.
I also liked the Rondena, especially the Fandangos part at the end. A nice rhythm and exciting solo piece here.
Overall, Moraito's technique seems harsh and about the same level of Juan Martin. I guess when you listen to Paco, Tomatito, Vicente, then you expect a lot from these guys. Perhaps Moraito is known more as an accompaniast than a soloist--in the parts where he is accompanying on this album, his playing seems to have more energy and verve. The album seems a good one for ear training since some of the falsetas are very simple. There is no fancy-schmancy jazz chords, just old fashioned flamenco, and that's good sometimes. I also got a Riqueni album and the difference in styles is noticeable to say the least. So far I have listened to the Moraito album a lot more, so maybe that says something.
I would be interested in hearing the impressions of those who are more familiar with his work.
|
|
|
|
REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |
Date Nov. 18 2005 13:14:44
 |
|
Phil
Posts: 382
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Rota, Spain
|
|
RE: Morao y Oro (in reply to Miguel de Maria)
|
|
|
quote:
Overall, Moraito's technique seems harsh
I have to disagree with that. I don't think his technique is bad (although I don't think his technique is at the level of G. Nunez, for example), it's just that he's not a very good composer of solo pieces. He's the top accompanist today for a very good reason, he's an outstanding Flamenco accompanist, and solo is just not his forte.
Try and find some CD's of other singers he's accompanied like Terremoto, Ines Bacan, El Zambo, Pepa de Benito, etc. and you'll hear him at his best. A year or 2 ago in Jerez I heard G. Nunez accompany one of the Sorderas and Moraito accompany Merce (I think) por Siguiriyas there is no doubt in my mind which was more Flamenco.
Phil
|
|
|
|
REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |
Date Nov. 19 2005 15:35:08
|
|
Miguel de Maria
Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ
|
|
RE: Morao y Oro (in reply to Phil)
|
|
|
Interesting that you think he's not a good composer of solo pieces, and Jon thinks the album is a "modern masterpiece." That's a little different.
I don't know, guys, I've been listening to this album almost nonstop the last couple of days. Then I put on Tomatito's, "Nuevo Media Colleccion." How could these guys be considered in the same class? Tomatito's falsetas are so much more fluid, faster, and more fun. Not to mention more melodic. Next to Tomatito, Moraito's tech sounds like Juan Martin to me, still. And when I hear Tomatito, I tap my feet and smile, and Morao just makes me cringe. Again, this is one, perhaps poorly recorded album of solo pieces, and I'm only referring to it.
|
|
|
|
REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |
Date Nov. 19 2005 21:34:13
|
|
Patrick
Posts: 1189
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Portland, Oregon
|
|
RE: Morao y Oro (in reply to Miguel de Maria)
|
|
|
quote:
IMHO, Tomatito's and Vicent's recordings are produced fairly
heavily compared to Moraito.
TK,
I don't think I fully agree. Personally I have spent a lot of time with Marao y Oro and it feels like it has massive amounts of editing going on. I may be wrong, but I hear tons of compression being used. When I am listening to it in my car, the trebles are so loud and penetrating it hurts my ears.
Also listen to the reverb used. I spent hours trying to find something remotely close with no success. In fact I am convinced the main reason this CD sounds the way it does is due to editing. Man I'm telling you, I don't care how good of a Conde he has, no one can make one sound like that live.
I’m not just saying this off the cuff. Some of you may remember the Group Solea project we did. On one of the recordings, I did the intro, which was from this CD. In that project I put in hours trying do get close to the sound he has with very little success. My conclusion was, not only is he a monster player, but the recording itself had a lot to do with the overall sound.
|
|
|
|
REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |
Date Nov. 20 2005 18:18:51
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts
|
|
|
Forum Software powered by ASP Playground Advanced Edition 2.0.5
Copyright © 2000 - 2003 ASPPlayground.NET |
0.078125 secs.
|
Printable Version
) 
