What Are You Listening To?

[Ruby]

Juan Martin's Picasso Portraits, from 1981. Discogs calls it Acoustic, Prog Rock, Jazz-Rock, Andalusian Classical - I say Progressive Flamenco. 



A lovely instrumental album featuring Martin's guitar, of course but he is accompanied by some other well known and well regarded musicians - Simon Phillips on drums, Ian Mosley of Marillion also on drums on three tracks, Tony Hymas on keys, John Gustafson on bass. The album is his interpretation, in musical form, of a selection of Picasso's artworks and is purportedly based on music he played at Picasso's 90th birthday celebration.

I'm having a Spanish/gypsy music moment which this isn't quite, but it suits my mood in any event. He made another similar album which I'm listening to now - more jazz oriented than this, and with Mark Isham. Another album of interpretations of artwork - this time from painters as diverse as David Hockney, Matisse and Leonardo Da Vinci, although he manages to slip in a Picasso as well. I'll post it elsewhere, I think. 

Juan Martin is an amazing guitarist - not flashy at all, but incredibly accomplished - beautiful crisp, clean playing.

The full album playlist on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8hqx6_a...AGzFGLSbBg

"Harlequin" - the lead track ...