Nouveau Flamenco Guitar, Canadian Recording Artist

Canadian Flamenco Guitar Music

Flamenco guitar playing - are you a fan? CleverJoe always perks up when a 'world music' CD demo comes across his desk. This week saw the arrival of a great instrumental CD by flamenco guitar player and Canadian songwriter Johannes Linstead. This is Linstead's fifth CD, called 'Mediterranea'. A multi-instrumentalist, Linstead also plays piano, mandolin, bouzouki, bass, wood flute and percussion. He has played and recorded with musicians from around the world, including Cuba, Columbia, Syria, Greece, Mexico, Russia and Ukraine. Influences from many of these countries can be heard on 'Mediterranea', although it never strays too far from Linstead's signature flamenco guitar playing roots. It seems to take a couple of songs for the CD to really 'warm up' to the passion flamenco music is known for, but by the fifth song "Adelita", Linstead is in full form and no longer holding back. Passionate and well written songs such as "Estrellas Sobre Ella" are a treat for the ears and heart, with hauntingly beautiful instrumental arrangements and subtle background vocal layers. Although it takes some time for this CD to abandon restraint, if you're a fan of flamenco music, 'Mediterranea' won't disappoint. To check it out yourself, see www.JohannesLinstead.com.

Remember, if you have a band or musician web site, two great places to promote your music (for free!) are:

• CleverJoe's Musician and Band Directory Resource
  
• IndieMusic.ca Canadian Indie Band Directory
  

Btw, If you're looking for flamenco music guitar tablature or sheet music, try:

• GuitarTab.ca, Guitar Tablature and Sheet Music.