Dedicated to his late father, this fine album of crossover genres -- including flamenco, folk, and even classical -- makes a terrific start with "Big Fish Rumba." Using a trait found in players such as
Ottmar Liebert and
Jesse Cook,
Dave Beegle uses an early flamenco guitar to get an ample Latin feeling. Possessing a tremendous fluidity, the number makes nearly five minutes seem like an instant. Middle Eastern and Indian influences greet "All the Kings Men," a tune that has a murky and swampy blues underbelly as it progresses. The percussion and even clay pots on the song add another texture. When
Beegle replaces the flamenco guitar with an acoustic one, the results are still quite good. The reflective title track could be taken from
Adrian Legg at his most upbeat. "Malaguena," which is based on the version by
Carlos Montoya, begins with a certain aura of bravado. Memorable parts are many in this song, as the melody is kept despite some meticulous playing. Few numbers would inspire dancing, but the sensuous "Shake It but Don't Break It ('Cause if You Bruise It I Can't Use It)" is an exception. "Rose's Garden" returns to a quiet, peaceful place by saying more in performing more deliberately. An ambitious cover of the classical piece "Joy" by Bach works surprisingly well in its initial stages and soars from there. A fine piece of music however you look at it or listen to it. ~ Jason MacNeil