Valle del Pas is Granada's 3rd and last album. It is also one of the most important records in my entire collection. Like many obscure European progressive rock albums, I found this new in a record store in early 1988. It was, as it turns out, the very first album I ever owned from Spain. An unlikely choice, Granada is not really a band that represents Spain in the more traditional sense like a Triana or Medina Azahara would be. Even the name is confusing to outsiders. Granada being most known as the last great city of the Moorish Empire. Given its place in history, it would seem Granada would indeed be quite representative of the Spanish sound. Ah, but Spain is a very diverse country. The first good clue is the album cover itself. Men in heavy coats in a lush dark green field, one playing the bagpipes. What one would associate with the Celtic regions of Espana like Asturias, Cantabria, or Galicia. And... Granada is also the name of a fruit, that which translates to a pomegranate. There you have it.
The album itself is brilliant, but subtlety so. Each track is packed with many ideas but the changes aren't jarring in the Italian tradition. The sound is what I often refer to as "European Warm Progressive", a type of music we hear in late 70s Spain and France in particular. It's definitely progressive rock, but at its most charming and wholesome. There is a Celtic component here, but not overwhelmingly so, the most obvious tracks being 'El Himmo del Sapo' and closer 'Ya Llueve'. There's even some classical references on 'Calle Betis (Atardeciendo)'. Overall, Valle del Pas is highly melodic but sophisticated, and even after some 32 years of familiarity, I never tire of hearing it. One of my 5 star masterpieces for certain.
Ownership: LP: 1978 Movieplay. Gatefold. As noted on other entries, this was purchased at VVV in 1988, and remains a treasure of the collection.
CD: 2006 Fonomusic. Digipak. Online acquisition (2019).
1//88 (first listen); 12/20/19 (review/new entry)
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