Classical Guitar A Personal Tribute to Dad Adelita Alhambra Granada Andaluza Caprice Arabe Asturia Cadiz Clair de Lune I have always been quietly amazed at the remarkable, yet unknown talents people possess. Why is it that we keep them hidden? Perhaps my prime example is my father. No one who met my father in his later years, would dream that the unassuming businessman was once a classical guitarist, a pupil of the internationally known Sophocles Pappas, who in turn studied with the legendary Andres Segovia. Andres Segovia, of course, has never been equalled as an Ibericist, nor has Pappas been equalled as an instructor. Pappas was rigorous in his instruction, and a fanatical adherent of the "rest stop" classical style, and his training can be heard in the recordings of Les Paul, Charlie Byrd, Peggy Seeger and a myriad others who were also his pupils. In the early days of his tutelage, Pappas would gather his students at his home on Sunday afternoons. There they would eat, talk and play... learning as much of the culture of the Ibericist as they did the artistry of the instrument. Dad continued that tradition in like style. Every Sunday, when we had returned from Sunday dinner with the grandparents, he pulled out the guitar and played. His face would take on a dreamy quality, and Mom, my brother and I, could close our eyes and imagine ourselves on the sunbeaten hills of Spain. As soon as I was proficient enough on the piano to accompany him, I became part of the "act." The piano was and is not my first choice of musical "weapon." But, in those days, I did the dutiful thing and attempted to play the duets of which he was so fond. The pieces you hear here are the only ones existing of me and Dad, noodling in the living room, recording on a reel-to-reel set-up owned by one of Dad's buddies. I must have been about sixteen at the time, and I wince at the "bloopers", the late intros, all the bug-a-boos of which only a semi-willing teenager is capable. Mom found the tape in a box of memorabilia in the garage while she was moving to her new home. My brother had it digitized on CD, so I guess it's gonna be a permanent family fixture now! The tape's quality was actually excellent, and the background noise has been edited out (you know, like busses going around the corner, birds twittering, my groans *G*). One part of the tape sustained a bit of damage, so "Alhambra" is truncated, but I've included it because I think there's enough for you to enjoy. And yes, I know that Clair de Lune isn't Spanish... but it's one of Dad's favorites, so I left that in, too. I hope you enjoy these duets... and, please, remember to preserve those wonderful family moments that will mean so much to future generations.