Jácaräs! 18th century Spanish baroque guitar music (2007)

In this collection of dances and short works for Baroque guitar by Spanish composer Santiago de Murcia (1682-1732?), Paul O'Dette plays some pieces just as written and others with an accompaniment of percussion and other guitars, based on clues he finds in the music suggesting supplemental instruments, and the resulting selection is delightfully varied. (...) The resulting performances are certainly fun -- spirited and vibrant, nearly impossible to listen to without beginning to move along with the music. The sound is clean, intimate, and spacious. Harmonia Mundi's reissue of it this 1998 release marks the 50th anniversary of the company, and includes a copy of its extensive catalog. This charming CD should be of interest to anyone who loves Spanish music, or guitar music, or Baroque music strongly shaped by popular and folk influences.