Charo Albums (5)
'Charo and Guitar'
Release Date 9/20/2005
Tracks 10
Label Universe Italy
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
"Although I play a lot of guitar in my shows," writes Charo in a handwritten letter that accompanies press copies of her album Charo and Guitar, "I am still mostly recognized as the cuchi-cuchi girl." This is true. It is also true, however, that the bubbly stage and TV personality studied classical Spanish guitar with Andrés Segovia and that her 1995 album Guitar Passion won the Female Pop Album of the Year award at the Billboard International Latin Music Conference. It is these aspects of her career, not the wiggling figure in the tight dress familiar from television, that are emphasized on Charo and Guitar, which presents her instrumental versions of well-known flamenco and classical guitar pieces. Co-producer Joe DiBlasi is also credited with guitar on the album, so it's impossible to tell who's playing what, but the playing is undeniably accomplished, enough so that one might be tempted to attend a live performance by Maria Rosario Pilar Martinez Molina Baeza (okay, Charo) to hear what she can do, as well as see. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
'Guitar Passion'
Release Date 3/21/1994
Tracks 10
Label Universal Wave
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Charo's first album is a collection of guitar instrumentals and Spanish language ballads. Fans of the Ultra Lounge series or celebrity kitsch undoubtedly will be attracted to music by Charo, the comic firecracker famous from the Love Boat guest appearances. But will the person who is looking for (anticipating?) cheese be willing to enjoy Charo's attempt to release a legitimate Latin album? Unlike her 1997 follow-up to this disc, Gusto, which falls into the post-Gloria Estefan, pre-Rickey Martin era of music, Guitar Passion is a solid album without any cheese. It is actually more Latin than Latin-influenced, if the latter describes an attempt at crossover. Six of the ten tracks are instrumentals (traditional or original), while only four have vocals. The hallmarks of a Charo album for most Americans would be her voice and cornball jokes. The former makes up a minority of the songs here, and the latter is nowhere to be heard. Those looking for a silly album to spice up mixed CDs or to humor friends at a party will be surprised to here this genuine attempt at making good music. Guitar Passion is musically a better album than Gusto, but the aforementioned listeners might prefer Charo's foray into pop. Not the best of its genre, but fans of the Gypsy Kings will enjoy the smooth rhythms and plucky fingerwork on Guitar Passion, especially in songs like "Romance of Love," "Dreams of Spain," and "The Harvester & the Wagon Men (Medley)." ~ JT Griffith, All Music Guide
