Spanish Guitar

Yes, there is a real difference between the neo flamenco people like Jesse Cook, Ottmar, etc. [which I do like] and the REAL guys like Montoya. Some might say it's like comparing Kenny G to John Coltrane, although I think that's an insult to the neo flamenco artists and not completely fair either. But there is a difference.

Real flamenco people also get pissed if you associate the Gypsy Kings with them. Maybe because they're actually from France or because of their worldwide pop appeal. I like them too. But then again some of these people don't think anything is true flamenco unless it comes from the caves of The Sacramonte. Suffering seems to be a big part of flamenco.

There's also a lot of great non-flamenco Spanish guitar work.

Amazon.com has a lot of nice neo flamenco compilation discs such as Flamenco Fire and Flamenco Passion with artists like Ruben Romero, Strunz & Farah, Jesse Cook, Ottmar Leibert, etc... I'll definitely have to check out the Gino D'Auri XRCD.

The thing I like about music from Spain is that it has so many great Gypsy [Middle East & Indian] and North African influences. Rich and passionate!

Yes; Gino D'Auri's 'Flamenco Mystico' has a stunning version of the classic Recuerdos de la Alhambra.

Jlamb has a good list there but I believe Paco Pena should also be a must listen as the world's first Professor of Flamenco Guitar and one of the all time great Flamenco Masters.

David Russell is a good one. Any of the Segovia proteges or better yet the remastered Segovia classics. If you want something more modern and with an edge check out Del Castillo. You wouldn't think two acoustic guitars players could sound like they do.

willie and lobo, jesse cook, strutz and farrah.