Sonidos Latinos
David Russell
Telarc 319 7902

Release date May 2010

Scots-born guitarist David Russell grew up in Minorca (where he has a street named after him) and now lives in north-west Spain (where a new auditorium in Vigo has been given the name ‘Auditorio David Russell’). He is one of the world’s most accomplished and musical guitarists; his discography ranges from Bach to ‘For David’, a recording of music written for him. His latest disc takes us on a whirlwind tour of Latin American guitar music, presenting the works of five masters of the guitar, each from a different country – Barrios (Paraguay), Ponce (Mexico), Ayala (Argentina), Neves (Brazil) and Morel (born in Argentina but since 1961 based in New York). Technical problems appear not to exist for Russell – he tosses off the rippling cascades and cheerfully articulated melody of the opening track (Barrios’ Maxixe) with ease, and the shimmering Canción de la Hilandera (Song of the Spinner) is a masterpiece of expressiveness. Ponce’s Estrellita is probably the best-known work here, played with beautifully muted tones; less common is Ayala’s Serie Americana, a pensive Prelude followed by melodies representing six different countries - the Bolivian Takirari is an unusual blend of the oriental with what sounds like part of a Negro spiritual! Other highlights include a complex chromatic waltz by Neves, and Morel’s Recuerdos del Caribe, written for Russell and imbued with the mood and rhythms of the West Indies. Overall, this is an interesting mix of pieces, thoughtfully compiled and superbly played.

Reviewed by Anne McAlister