Fuego de Luna

Album Review

There's no denying that Andre Feriante can play that guitar a little like ringing a bell, and this collection brings together some of the best work from his four albums. For all that the flamenco element is stressed in the liner notes, it's actually just one small component in a style that owes more to William Ackerman than Paco de Lucía. And that's fine — Feriante at least does have his own style, lush and gracious, and sometimes stunning, as on "Phantom of the Matador" or "Seduction & Illusion." However, adding vocals to a couple of tracks, the previously unreleased title cut and "Yesterday's Flamenco" was anything but a good idea — they're nothing short of embarrassing. Overall, though, his playing is a quiet joy, even when pieces like "Tarantella" bring to mind "The Third Man Theme." So even if the passion of flamenco is kept at something less than simmering point, the playing, fluid and engaging, manages to break through from ear candy status much of the time — a great deal more than you can say for most new agers.