The Spanish Progressive Rock Encyclopedia

The opinions and feelings are from a number of afficionados to this genre, so the descriptions and opinions contained in the entries do not necessarely match mine. Any correction or addendum is welcome. Send them to me via e-mail to inesta[sorry]dlsi.ua.es and the entry will be updated. Thanks for your collaboration!

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Last time updated on
Sep-15-2016

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 Granada 

 From:

    Madrid  

 Musicians: (original line-up and changes between parenthesis)


Carlos Carcamo (flute, violin, keys, guitar, percussion and vocals), Antonio Garcí Oteiza (bass), Juan Bona (drums and vocals), and Michael Vortreflich (guitar).


 Discography:



Hablo de Una Tierra
(1975)


Espana Año 75
(1976)


Valle del Pas
(1978)

Singles:

Hablo de una Tierra / Rompiendo la Oscuridad
(1975)

Noviembre Florido
(1976)

Himno del Sapo
(1978)

 Web page:

    not available    

 Opinions and other informations:

    

Excellent progressive band from the middle 70's that released three albums, re-released by Fonomusic. They remind of the mexicans Iconoclasta, and also other spanish bands like Triana or Coto En Pel. The british influences come from Yes, Jethro Tull and other italian bands very present in their sound. (?)


Instrumental band from the 70's, very melodic and jazzy, with folk tones. Occasionally they make symphonic things but as an exception. More often they sound as a spanish counterpart of Soft Machine with bits of Camel plus spansih music inserted. Two of their best recordings: "España Año 75" and "Valle Del Pas" were re-released in a single CD. They are worth, no doubt about it. Nevertheless, they require two or more listenings to be appreciated. (?)


They reminds a lot of Iconoclasta. Strong keys and guitar instrumental passages. Iconoclasta shows a more powerful guitar sound, but Granada focuses more in the keyboards, instead.

Granada were an excellent spanish band from the middle and late 70's, the golden age of spanish prog. When in Italy was going down, in Spain was growing up to bring fantastic prog to the world. I've got 2 records of Granada "España Año 75" and "Valle Del Pas". They are both two excellent examples of spanish prog and highly recommended. The emphasis of Granada relies on the keyboards (with profusion of moog and mellotron) and guitar, but with more keys that guitar. They sound like a mix of fusion and symphonic influences. But there are also classic touches in "España Año 75", from the string sections to the oboe or vibes. Granada change easily from the intensity to the relaxation. Both albums have short songs (4-5 minutos) and other longer ones (7-8 minutes), so no long epic one-side instrumentals. Bands like this and Triana, Iman or Crack are essential in every symphonic collection. Check it. Mike Taylor


"España Ano '75" is a nice piece of fusion in the Canterbury vein. Not much impressive at a first listening, but it improves after few more. "Valle del Pas" is a more symphonic offer, and some passages are just orquestales! There's algo some folk spanish music in their sound (but not flamenco), using tambourines and bagpipes to create a very original sound. Mike Ohman


Granada's first album essays a large variety of musical styles which just as often work beautifully as they don't. Pastoral/romantic prog, folky acoustic parts, fiery guitar-flute sections recalling Focus or Jethro Tull, mellotron-drenched symphonic prog, fusion pass the revue, but there are also uninspired moments like the cheesy pop muzak of "Nada es Real". "Hablo de una Tierra" pales in comparison to the two albums that would follow.

Both "España Año 75" and "Valle del Pas" consist of instrumental, melodic progressive rock with occasionally surprising moments, which include the use of orchestration and bagpipes. They play a similar brand of easy going progressive rock like Crack, Iman or Triana (although more sophisticated than the latter band). Both albums still lack the spark to be called classic. Nevertheless, these are arguably some of the best albums to start exploring the Spanish progressive scene, especially if you like symphonic progressive rock. (Sjef Oellers, as reviewed in Gnosis)


It was founded in 1970 (using the name of a fruit, not of a city) and was lidered by the multinstrumentist Carlos Carcamo, from Santander. Most of the bands by that time came to Madrid in search of fortune and fame. This band was called by the producer Gonzalo Garciapelayo to come to the capital. They recorded three LPs and they toured extensively all across Spain. In their last record Carlos Garcia-Vaso, then in the group Azul y Negro, appeared. (Juan Mellado)


Review of the record "Valle del Pas" (in spanish)

Review of the record "Espana Año 75" (in spanish)

Review of the record "Hablo de Una Tierra"


Interview with Carlos García Vaso (in spanish)