Camarón, complete discography
by José Manuel Gamboa

José Monje entered marriage in 1976, and in his new condition records "Castillo de arena", which is released in 1977. This album closes a fundamental chapter in the career of Camarón de la isla, the one we could call "with the special collaboration of", Paco de Lucía. On the front jacket cover we see a robust Camarón wearing a T-shirt, immortalized by the lens of Pepe Lamarca. This shall be the first time the "cantaor" signs his anthorships of a cut as composer, specifically the "bulería" "Samara" which opens the album, sharing the credits with Antonio Sáchez. The authorships for the rest of the cuts is signed by the father of Paco de Lucía. Ramón de Algeciras continues as second guitar, it being the last time he would participate in a recording with Camarón. The sound of this brilliant album stands out with respect to the previous ones in its clarity and brilliance. It is the exceptional ending of the cycle that had been completed. From the beginning the vigor and the sweetness of Camarón's "cante" is joined in a difficult balance, wisely led by the magnificent guitar of Paco de Lucía.

The fandangos of Huelva "Dos estrellas relucientes" and the two "bulerías" overflow with radiance and optimism. In the tangos, in which Paco uses the lute and a choir repeats the chorus, a formula which becomes popular later on, the festive tone is clear. The "Camaronized" "tientos" of Cádiz, with a timid participation of the choir, is near to the tango because of the vigor of the performance, although it is a pity that in all the verses they repeat the same music. The "seguiriyas" of a unique Camrón-like rhythm remind us of Manuel Molina. The "taranto" is undeniably on target. In the "soleares" he returns to the airs of his homeland. In the natural fandangos one senses Manolo Caracol, as seen by Camarón, and in the "granaína" gives a very personal finishing touch.