A LA VIDA / AL DOLOR

Gualberto Garcia Perez was born in 1945 in Sevilla and one of the original members of the legendary Spanish psych/hard rock band Smash.After the demise of Smah,he travelled to USA for music studies and even composed a rock opera entitled ''"Behind the stars".During his trip he came in touch with musicians from different music approaches (jazz,classical,folk etc.) and in 1974 he returns to Spain along with two American musicians,Arthur Volh and Todd Purcell,with the help of whom he records his debut solo album ''A la vida, al dolor''.Notice the guest appearance of Carlos Carcamo of Granada on flutes.

The album is an amalgam of Gualberto's studies,an intense trip through the different fields he came in touch with,an eclectic mix of various civilizations,based mostly on Gualberto's flamenco guitar.''Cancion de la primavera'' is a pastoral acoustic/flamengo ballad with romantic vocals,while ''Cancion del agua'' is a blend of Folk and Classical Music with nice violin passages.''Cancion de las nieves'' is a big surprise,a soft orchestrated piece reminding of early KING CRIMSON and ''Cancion del arco iris'' comes like a sitar seminar,showcasing Gualberto's Eastern Music influences.''Cancion de las gaviotas'' is actually the first trully Progressive Rock track of the album,a beautiful number of Classical,Folk and Prog Rock with a fine second part where violin scratching,pounding bass and jazzy guitars offer some cool interplays.Notice all above five tracks are sung in English.

From now on Gualberto present his Andalusian roots more.''Terraplen'' is actually a constant slow jamming between flamenco guitar,sitar and violin with TRIANA-like Spanish vocals.The follower ''Prisioneros'' has some SMASH vibes with long guitar solos,before returning to a flamenco/psych-based drama with expressive vocals,this time in English.''Tarantos'' is more of a symphonic piece in structure,a great instrumental with fantastic violins again,passionate guitar playing and a smooth rhythm section.''Dialogo interior'' closes the album in a classical way with (no surprise) a constant dialogue between Gualberto's guitar and Arthur Vohl's violin,maybe this one is a bit too long.

Gualberto's debut offers some trully interesting and adventuruous moments and will easily appeal to fans of Progressive Folk,Acoustic Prog and generally the softer side of progressive music.The only negative point dominating the album is the absence of some trully masterful tracks,but again it has plenty of good material to be purchased.Recommended.