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Here is a live registration (around 50 minutes) of a concert during the Un Mal Sueno tour by Triana, in 1981. This legendary Spanish band is known for speerheading the prolific Rock Andaluz movement in the Seventies. It started in the late Sixties but was fueled by Triana in de mid-Seventies, many young Spanish music fans took the band in their hearts, due to the poetical lyrics about dreaming of freedom (during the Franco dictatorship in those years), especially in the passionate composition Abre La Puerta. Triana made three pivotal albums between 1975 and 1979 but when this live album was recorded the exciting Rock Andaluz had turned into a polished blend of pop and melodic rock with some flamenco elements, more Pop Andaluz than Rock Andaluz' However, this live album is interesting because half of the setlist contains songs from their highly acclaimed first album El Patio (1975). The other tracks songs are from Un Encuentro (1980) and Un Mal Sueno (1981). The concert was recorded in Madrid, the city where Triana was founded and the line-up featured all three original members, with the addition of a bass player and a guitarist.

1. Recuerdos De Una Noche (extended to 15 minutes) : First the sound of the Hammond organ and flamenco guitar (the distinctive rasgueado technique), accompanied by Jesus his melancholical vocals, this is top notch Rock Andaluz. Then an exciting synthesizer solo and halfway a fine electric guitar solo And finally a psychedelic sounding synthesizer solo and again flamenco guitar, passionate vocals and intense Hammond work, a great start.

2. Tu Frialdad : A ballad with strong, a bit wailing vocals, flamenco rhythm guitar and sensitive electric guitar runs with soaring Hammond, simply beautiful ' Blues Andaluz?

3. Una Vez : Varied and tasteful melodic rock but featuring the distinctive Triana sound (vocals, flamenco guitar) with nice work on piano and electric guitar (howling solo).

4. En El Lago : Another great rendition of an El Patio composition: Hammond, flamenco rasgueado guitar, Jesus his distinctive vocals, halfway another sensational synthesizer solo, culminating in a bombastic, very compelling conclusion, what an outstanding blend of Hammond, howling electric guitar and propuslive flamenco rhythm guitar, unsurpassed Rock Andaluz!

5. Corre : A catchy beat, swinging piano and a bit poppy vocals (not with his usual emotional flamenco overtones), fiery electric guitarwork, this is pleasant melodic rock, no more or less.

6. Abre La Puerta (extended to 12 minutes): One of their best songs featuring the distinctive blend of Hammond (lots of awesome soli), flamenco rasgueado guitar and Jesus his emotional vocals. Halfway strong interplay between senstitive electric guitar and powerful Hammond, supported by flamenco guitar (rhythm and solo), goosebumps, again top notch Rock Andaluz! The final part includes a short drum solo and then again a bombastic eruption with howling guitar and Hammond floods, the crowd loved it!

This is a good impression of the legendary Rock Andaluz formation Triana with great renditions of their early work, very well appreciated by an excited crowd. But it is also obvious that 1981 Triana is more Poprock Andaluz than Rock Andaluz, listening to the 1980 and 1981 tracks. Triana disbanded after the tragical death of Jesus De La Rosa in 1983 but their heritage is incredible, just listen to Rock Andaluz bands of the last two decades, from Taifa and Arabiga to Sin Rencor, Mendigo and Calle Silvio, to name a few.

My rating: 5 stars for their early work and 3 stars for the rest, so still an excellent addition if you are up to the exiting world of Rock Andaluz.