Flamenco Road is an album by Michael Laucke, released on September 12, 2001. The album consists mainly of his own compositions in the new flamenco style, which he also arranged. In an interview for Voir magazine, Laucke stated: "It is also very influenced by my classical background. So it's a smoother flamenco."[1] An example of this style from the album can be heard in Laucke's treatment of the well-known classical guitar transcription "Leyenda", which is given a flamenco rendition using several percussion instruments (claves, maracas, special castanets mounted on wood blocks, chimes, and a large gong), bass, and flute.[1]
Ten works were recorded at five different studios, each selected for its specific acoustics, in Montreal, Canada. The instrumentation for the recording's title piece, "Flamenco Road", required the use of a 24-track recording system; a Voir magazine article declared it to be the first recording in this style to employ 24 tracks.[2] The instrumentation comprises a combination of four types of guitars—flamenco, Spanish, classical, and electric—and all natural acoustic guitars are played the Spanish way, using all the fingers of the right hand without a pick. The rhythm section includes "bongos, four congas, and a rock drum set blended with other percussion instruments such as claves, maracas, and castanets". It further incorporates "three dancers performing typical 'palmas' (hand-clapping) in synchronization", as well as three trumpets, three pianos, and a "country-style" violinist.[3]
The enhanced CD includes two videos: one with interactive live concert footage filmed during Laucke's tenth season at Montreal's Place des Arts, and the other with the video clip of "Flamenco Road". The latter reached number one on video charts across Canada for five consecutive weeks.[4] The Journal-Pioneer opined "Flamenco Road is an absolute joy to behold".[5]
Track listing
Excerpt from Flamenco Road song by Laucke in 24 track version, a sample of the (new flamenco) style"Between Two Seas" ("Entre dos Aguas") by Paco de Lucía, arranged and played by Laucke
Title
Timing
Composer
1.
Flamenco Road
3’18
Michael Laucke
2.
The Hero
5’07
Michael Laucke
3.
Between two Seas
(Entre dos Aguas)
5’25
Paco de Lucia, arr. Laucke
4.
Danza
3’25
Michael Laucke)
5.
Wide River (Rio Ancho)
4’44
Paco de Lucia, arr. Laucke
6.
The Legend
6’52
Albeniz, arr. Laucke
7.
La Femme
6’05
Robert Coxon/Laucke
8.
Gymnopedie no. 1
2’55
Erik Satie, arr. Laucke
9.
Gymnopedie no. 2
2’27
Erik Satie, arr. Laucke
10.
Gymnopedie no. 3
2’03
Erik Satie, arr. Laucke
Musicians
Laucke with the Flamenco Road Show at Place des Arts – MontrealMichael Laucke and the Flamenco Road Show; dancer Daniela
Michael Laucke – Spanish and classical guitars (solo, rhythm and fill tracks)
Marie-Josée Guilbeault – violinist
Oscar Martinez – Trumpets
Paul Pivetta – electric guitar
Réggie Larko – Falseta vocals and keyboards
Rob Roy – Bass Guitar
Robert Dethiers – Percussionist
Production credits
Studio:
Terra Nova Studios & Créason (for Flamenco Road ), Montreal, Canada
Sound Engineer:
Pierpaolo (Paul) Pivetta and Jean-Guy Monpetit (Flamenco Road)
Mix:
Pierpaolo (Paul) Pivetta, Michael Laucke and Jean-Guy Monpetit (Flamenco Road)
Mastering:
Terra Nova Studios (Pierpaolo [Paul] Pivetta) and Sono Design (Carl Talbot) for Flamenco Road
Photos:
Stéphane Dumais (M.Laucke), Lorenna Solervicens (musicians and dancers)
ADAT Transfers:
François Licke
Design Coordinator:
Mike Henderson, Justin Time Records Inc. Montreal
Jacket Design:
Tom Krilly, Visual Communications Source, Montreal
This flamenco rendition uses bass, flute, and several percussion instruments (claves, maracas, special castanets mounted on wood blocks, chimes and a large gong).
Trois Gymnopedies by Eric Satie, transcribed and performed on guitar by Laucke
^ ab"Michael Laucke: Richesse flamenco" [Flamenco Richness]. Voir.ca (in French). 29 September 2005. Retrieved 29 October 2015. C'est aussi très influencé par mon background en classique. Donc, c'est un flamenco plus smooth
^Dominique Olivier (24 May 1990). "Good Laucke". Voir magazine. A ma connaissance, cet album de flamenco est le premier à utiliser un processus d'enregistrement de 24 pistes "To my knowledge, this flamenco album is the first to use the 24 track recording process." (English translation)
^Michael Laucke (2001). Flamenco Road (enhancedCD). Michael Laucke. Montreal: Justin Time Records. p. 3. Jacket Notes: The recording took place in five different studios in Montreal, each chosen for its particular acoustics. The 24 tracks employ; 5 guitars (flamenco, Spanish, classical and electric guitars), a rhythm section consisting of bongos, 4 congas and a rock drum set blended with other percs such as claves, maracas and castanets, 3 dancers performing typical "palmas" (hand-clapping) in synchronization, 3 trumpets, 3 pianos and a "country-style" violinist.
^"Bravo! Countdown". Bravo Network. 1 November 2001. Retrieved 12 November 2015. The title track was number one on video charts across Canada for 5 consecutive weeks
