Nuevo Flamenco Romancero
Romancero: "a collection of romances or ballads"
This CD comprises brilliant reinterpretations of some of the most romantic and beautiful contemporary love songs of our time. Eric Hansen's Nuevo Flamenco/Spanish guitar stylings are works to indulge in. The passion and expressiveness of his playing are unrivaled in this genre. Featured selections include "And I Love Her", "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and "Careless Whisper", as well as two new original compositions that showcase Latin guitar at its most intimate and melodic. This collection is the perfect muse to share with your special someone. Like a favorite wine, Romancero will entice you with its flavor.
Visit the audio clips page for song samples.
Here is the track listing with detailed information:
1. Killing Me Softly With His Song Roberta Flack
I wanted to start this CD off with one of the most beautiful melodies ever recorded in pop music. I absolutely love the way Roberta Flack sang this song and arranging it for guitar was such a natural process. The melody fits perfectly with both sustained notes and range on the guitar. Accompanied by electric bass and hand percussion, this arrangement slowly builds to a climax where the guitar reaches out in a melodic improvisation creating a seamless connection between the first half of the tune to the second.
2. Careless Whisper George Michael
Careless Whisper always grabed my attention with the tastefull saxophone riff in the beginning of the tune. Setting that introduction's melody to a medium tempo Samba was the precept for the rest of arrangement's structure. The guitar parts range from jazz style octaves in the beginning to fast improvised phrases in the closing section. I even quoted that opening saxophone melody in a tune on my debut CD, Without Words. Check out track 11, Twilight" and you will hear that riff closing out the chorus sections of the tune.
3. Viento de verano Eric Hansen
The title means "Summer Wind" and the first of two oringial compositions on Romancero.
4. The Look of Love Burth Baccarach and Hal David
5. And I Love Her John Lennon and Paul McArtney
6. Rosalinda's Eyes Billy Joel
6. Rosalinda's Eyes Billy Joel
7. God Only Knows The Beach Boys
8. Breaking Free Eric Hansen
9. Fields of Gold Sting
10. Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman? Bryan Adams
11. If You Leave Me Now Chicago
12. Sailing Christopher Cross