The New Las Guiatrras de Espa–a CD, Cuatro Por Arriba is currently available for download at Apple's iTunes by following this link:
DOWNLOAD iTunes Version of CUATRO POR ARRIBA
If you wish to purchase the actual CD with all of the artwork, the official street realease is set for July 21st, 2007. But you can get a copy NOW if you send a check for $16.95 (which includes shipping) to:
Mikolrac, Inc
1301 W. Ancona St
Chicago, Il. 60622
Las Guitarras de Espa–a released the Cuatro Por Arriba on Friday May 11th, 2007 with a sold out performance at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Below are some images from the concert, track credits for the CD, and most of the lyrics from the CD. This page will be a work in progress for a little while, so please check back often. Thanks for your support!
Chiara Mangiameli performs Solea por Bulerias with the ensemble. John Mose, Woody Ma, and Don Jacobs added a horn section to the mix.
Wendy Clinard performs a new Sevillana work with Woody Ma. Morikeba Kouyate played Kora with ensemble and on the new CD.
Track Credits for Cuatro Por Arriba:
Junto a Ti (Blues/Tangos) Composed by Patricia Alonso, Alfonso Cid, and Carlo Basile
Lead Vocals: Patricia Alonso, Alfonso Cid
Backing Vocals: Patricia Alonso, Alfonso Cid, Chiara Mangiameli, Camilo Rasquin
Guitars: Carlo Basile, Diego Alonso
Percussion: Doug Brush
Electric Bass: Greg Nergaard
Trumpet: Victor Garcia
Trombone: John Mose
Electric Guitar: Randell Mathews
Palmas and Jaleos: Patricia Alonso, Diego Alonso, Chiara Mangiameli
Papaya de Cuba (Guajiras) Traditional w/ arrangement by Alfonso Cid, Carlo Basile, and Patricia Alonso
Lead Vocals: Alfonso Cid
Backing Vocals: Patricia Alonso
Guitars: Carlo Basile, Diego Alonso
Cello: Kinan Abou-afach
Tres Guitar: Colin Bunn
Palmas: Alfonso Cid, Patricia Alonso
Maria La Mariposa Composed by Colin Bunn
Lead Vocals: Camilo Rasquin
Backing Vocals: Patricia Alonso
Guitars: Colin Bunn, Carlo Basile
Acoustic Bass: Greg Nergaard
Drum Kit: Doug Brush
Percussion: Doug Brush
Piano: Darwin Noguera
Glockenspiel: Colin Bunn
Esperanza Composed by Patricia Alonso and Carlo Basile
Lead Vocals: Patricia Alonso
Backing Vocals: Chiara Mangiameli, Patricia Alonso
Guitars: Carlo Basile, Diego Alonso
Cello: Kinan Abou-afach
Piano: Darwin Noguera
Percussion: Doug Brush
Electric Bass: Greg Nergaard
Palamas: Chiara Mangiameli, Diego Alonso
Calle Rumbas—n Composed by Patricia Alonso, Colin Bunn, and Carlo Basile
Lead Vocals: Patricia Alonso
Backing Vocals: Chiara Mangiameli, Patricia Alonso
Guitar: Carlo Basile
Tres Guitar: Colin Bunn
Piano: Darwin Noguera
Trumpet and Horn Arrangement: Victor Garcia
Trombone: John Mose
Percussion and Percussion Arrangement: Doug Brush
Acoustic Bass: Greg Nergaard
Clave: Victor Garcia
Palmas and Jaleos: Kassandra Kocoshis, Colin Bunn, Chiara Mangiameli, Diego Alonso, Patricia Alonso
Choros No. 1 Composed by Heitor Villa-Lobos Arranged by Carlo Basile and Doug Brush
Guitar: Carlo Basile
Pandero: Doug Brush
Cello: Catarina Van Epps, Kinan Abou-afach
Sevilla Composed by Carlo Basile , Alfonso Cid, and Thad Franklin
Lead Vocals: Alfonso Cid
Backing Vocals: Patricia Alonso
Trumpet: Thad Franklin
Guitars: Carlo Basile, Diego Alonso
Cello: Kinan Abou-afach
Acoustic Bass: Greg Nergaard
Percussion: Doug Brush
Palmas: Alfonso Cid, Patricia Alonso
Cachorrito de Jerez (Bulerias) Traditional with Original Letra by Chiara Mangiameli and Patricia Alonso
Lead and Backing Vocals: Chiara Mangiameli, Patricia Alonso
Guitars: Diego Alonso, Carlo Basile
Palmas and Jaleos: Diego Alonso, Chiara Mangiameli, Patricia Alonso
Perdiendome (Killing Me Softly) Composed by Charles Fox and Arranged by Las Guitarras de Espa–a
Lead Vocals: Patricia Alonso
Backing Vocals: Chiara Mangiameli, Patricia Alonso
Guitars: Carlo Basile
Cello: Catarina Van Epps
Clarinet: Don Jacobs
Electric Bass: Greg Nergaard
Percussion: Doug Brush
Flamenco Dance: Carolina Xavier
Palmas and Jaleos: Patricia Alonso, Carolina Xavier, Chiara Mangiameli
Olas Altas Composed by Carlo Basile, Morikeba Kouyate, and Doug Brush
Lead Vocals and African Kora: Morikeba Kouyate
Backing Vocals: Patricia Alonso, Chiara Mangiameli, Camilo Rasquin, Diego Alonso, Randell Mathews, Carlo Basile
Guitar: Carlo Basile
Cello: Catarina Van Epps
Clarinet: Don Jacobs
Electric Bass: Greg Nergaard
Percussion and Percussion Arrangement: Doug Brush
LAS GUITARRAS de ESPANA PREMIERES FOURTH CD AT OLD TOWN SCHOOL OF FOLK MUSIC ON FRIDAY, MAY 11th
CHICAGO (April 3, 2007) --- “CUATRO POR ARRIBA” is the title of the fourth release by Las Guitarras de Espana, known for their energetic music, a mix of multi-ethnic influences that results in a rich tapestry of artistic vision. “CUATRO POR ARRIBA” will have its premiere on May 11th, 8PM, at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4522 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.
Members of Las Guitarras de Espa–a have visited over 30 countries (including recent trips to Senegal, Mali, and Spain) to perform, study, and
gather musical material for their new works. Guitarist Carlo Basile
was inspired to compose a piece for the new CD featuring Spanish guitar combined with the African Kora after one such trip.
“CUATRO POR ARRIBA” (Sweet Pickle Music) features the core group of Las Guitarras: Vocalist/Composer Patricia Alonso; Guitarist/Composer Carlo Basile; and Percussionist Doug Brush, with impressive performances from global guest artists, including Morikeba Kouyate (Senegal) on African Kora, a 21-string harp-like instrument); Flamenco singer/flautist Alfonso Cid (Spain); and well-known Chicago-based musicians, including Guitarist/Composer Colin Bunn (Andrew Bird). Trumpet player /Arranger Victor Garcia (The Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble) has added depth and texture to the project.
As Carlo Basile the founder of Las Guitarras, explains, "The title ‘CUATRO POR ARRIBA’ has a double meaning: first, translating into Spanish, it refers to the fact that this is our fourth (‘Cuatro’) CD release (in seven years), and many of the pieces are ‘up in tempo (‘por Arriba translates to ‘up’). ‘Cuatro por Arriba’ is also a term that flamenco singers use to tell guitarists which accompanying tones to play and in which position on the guitar neck. So, the title is a little ‘flamenco’ play on words."
“CUATRO POR ARRIBA” features Las Guitarras de Espana’s unique and diverse mix of Spanish guitar influenced works, including traditional flamenco pieces, Latin grooves, and some interesting World music fusion. The ensemble has also included among the 11 pieces on the CD a flamenco version of Roberta Flack's 1973 hit "Killing Me Softly (with his song)” with lyrics translated to Spanish. Says ‘Basile, “The ensemble thought it would be interesting to do a rework of this American R&B/Pop classic...which even includes "heel work" by a flamenco dancer!”
Las Guitarras de Espana will perform many pieces from the new CD at the Old Town School of Folk Music premiere, which will feature guest artists
Morikeba Kouyate and flamenco dancer Wendy Clinard and a Latin
horn section.
Las Guitarras de Espana, formed in 1999 by guitarist Carlo Basile, has regularly played to sold-out audiences in the Chicago area and abroad. The ensemble's CDs are distributed worldwide, and the group's music has been featured in movies, theatrical productions, and advertising spots.
LAS GUITARRAS DE ESPANA premiere their fourth CD, “CUATRO POR ARRIBA” at the Old Town School of Folk Music
FRIDAY, MAY 11TH
8PM
Tickets: $25, $23 Old Town School members, $21 seniors and kids