Where to find the best flamenco guitar music online
Want to start listening to flamenco guitar? In this post we introduce some of the all-time best flamenco guitarists, and where you can listen to their music online.
The challenge of picking the best flamenco guitarists
My partner knew about my love for flamenco from the day we first met in Jerez. But it took him seven and a half years to casually pop the question in the car driving home from the supermarket…
“So, which flamenco guitarists should I listen to?”
Obviously I was thrilled he asked.
Maybe you’ve just discovered flamenco. Or maybe, like my partner, you’ve had to listen to someone talk incessantly about it and you’ve decided to find out more. Whatever brings you here, this article is for you if you’re at the very beginning of your flamenco journey.
Unless you’re born into flamenco, a vague curiosity about the art form is where a lot of us start.
Does this sound familiar…? Someone introduces you to flamenco guitar, usually Paco de Lucia. After a while you realise you’ve listened to Entre Dos Aguas a million times and you want to explore something else.
And that’s where more questions arise…
What kind of flamenco do you like?
Old stuff, new stuff? Pure flamenco or fusion? Solo guitar or accompaniment?
Why does it have to be so complicated?!
Flamenco, like any art, is about taste. My favourite guitarist is probably not going to be the same as yours. It’s probably not even going to be the same as my favourite from twenty years ago, because taste changes.
The best way to get into flamenco is listening to a bit of everything to find out what you like.
With that in mind, what follows is NOT the ten greatest flamenco guitarists ever. I wouldn’t be silly enough to make that call.
This article is a starting point if you want to broaden your understanding of flamenco guitar. The guitarists below showcase different styles of playing. Listening to even just a few of them will give you an idea of the skill and technique involved in flamenco guitar and how the art form has evolved.
Disclaimer accepted? Ok, let’s jump in.
Here are ten iconic flamenco guitarists whose music will diversify your taste in flamenco ( in no particular order).
Ten essential flamenco guitarists every new listener should know
Paco de Lucia
Probably the most famous flamenco guitarist ever. Listening to Paco de Lucia is a great place to start because of the breadth of his repertoire. He dominated not only in the sphere of traditional flamenco but also as one of the leading influences of flamenco fusion in the 1970s. If you haven’t heard of him, start here.
Niño Ricardo
This Seville guitarist was a foundational figure in the evolution of flamenco guitar and an inspiration for many guitarists to come. Listening to his music will give you an appreciation of the skill of flamenco guitar.
Sabicas
Another legend of flamenco, famed for playing with precision and speed. His work elevated flamenco guitar to a solo art form.
Juan Habichuela
An icon of traditional flamenco guitar. He collaborated with many top flamenco singers of his day. Listening to Habichuela is a perfect for understanding how the guitar relates to voice in flamenco. If you’re searching for his recordings you’ll probably also come across Juan Habichuela Nieto, his grandson.
Tomatito
Tomatito’s career began with Paco de Lucia, recording together with him and singer Camarón de la Isla. He’s a flamenco icon in his own right with numerous solo albums. He is known for his fusion, blending traditional flamenco and jazz.
Manolo Sanlúcar
A leading guitarist and composer of his time, Sanlúcar is known for pushing the boundaries of flamenco to incorporate orchestral music.
Vicente Amigo
Accompanying guitar greats such as Manolo Sanlúcar, Amigo has gone on to have a hugely successful solo career.
Moraito Chico
An icon of Jerez flamenco from a renowned flamenco family. Moraito Chico was an acclaimed accompanist and solo artist. His recordings are ideal for getting to know the Jerez flamenco sound. Also check out his son, Diego Del Morao, an accomplished guitarist in his own right.
Pepe Habichuela
Born into a gitano flamenco family in Granada, Habichuela has had a hugely successful career encompassing traditional flamenco as well as fusion styles including jazz and Indian string music. If this sounds like your thing, look for his album Yerbagüena.
Rafael Riqueni
Riqueni has built a career as a soloist, performing and recording elegant and soulful flamenco with classical influences. His album Parque De María Luisa is a personal favourite of mine.)
This list is not exhaustive. There are others, I know!
But it does give you a window onto the incredible diversity of flamenco and the range of styles and influences within this art.
Let us know in the comments below, who’s your favourite flamenco guitarist?
Where to stream flamenco guitar
Where can you listen to these artists online?
You’ll find all of them on the major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
If you’re still looking for more flamenco guitar, try flamenco radio.
Stations like Canal Sur offer Flamenco Radio streamed live and are an excellent place for discovering more about flamenco music.
Listen live here
Are you ready to take the next step and start learning flamenco yourself? Visit our classes page to find teachers across Australia.