Our Review
Higher Octave music occupies a unique niche in the recording industry, offering unusually tasteful and compelling "new age" music with a latin flavor and sensibility. Their latest Christmas offering, Lara & Reyes' Navidad, extends this tradition.
In a synergetic performance of familiar Christmas tunes, Sergio Lara and Joe Reyes capture the spirit of the season by putting together a latin treat. The two flamenco virtuosos combine most effectively on the moody, introspective Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, a song intended to convey the ironic wistfulness of the season. Here, their guitars capture and convey this sense of nostalgia beautifully.
In fact, their understated styles provide a welcome counterpoint to many of the "over the top" records one hears at this time of year. I enjoyed the laid back tempo of We Wish You a Merry Christmas as well as the slightly jazzed Let It Snow. But I must admit I was unprepared for their flamenco bluegrass take on Auld Lang Syne. The unexpectedness of this gesture made me smile.
A classy recording throughout.
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2000)
More
From the liner notes:
Sergio Lara and Joe Reyes have been performing together since 1987. Navidad is their fifth album on the Higher Octave label. The duo has a wide, international following and has performed in the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City.
Sergio Lara and Joe Reyes
Navidad
Order from Amazon
Artist site
Label: Higher Octave
Length: 43 minutes
Genre: New Age
Release: 2000
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Winter Wonderland |
| Santa Claus is Coming to Town |
| Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas |
| Away in a Manger |
| White Christmas |
| God rest ye Merry Gentlemen |
| Silent Night |
| Christmas Song |
| Feliz Navidad |
| Frosty the Snowman |
| Silver Bells |
| What Child is This? |
| O Come All Ye Faithful |
| Angels We Have Hear On High |
| Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer |
| Let it Snow |
| We Wish You a Merry Christmas |
| Auld Lang Syne |