Manuel Barrueco, "Works For Guitar" Villa-Lobos, Guarneri, Chavez, composers

When I think of classical guitar, Manuel Barrueco’s name does not immediately come to mind


It’s nothing against him, of course. The Cuban-born guitarist has a well-earned reputation as one of the finest musicians in the world. He has performed with Steve Morse, the guitarist for Deep Purple, and Andy Summers from the Police. Barrueco recorded an album of Lennon-McCartney songs. His 2005 CD, "Concierto Barroco," was nominated for a Latin Grammy for Best Classical Recording.

And he’s a faculty member at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, which is only the oldest music school in the entire country.

Still, I only learned all of this about Barrueco after I found his 1977 album, “Works For Guitar,” in the $1 bin at my friendly neighborhood record store. It must be quite a find; though most of the man’s works can easily be found on CD, his early recordings only get a passing mention in the official bio on his Web site:

"His early recordings, available on VOX, have become a classic amongst guitar recordings."

So I don't know where the 33-year-old "Works For Guitar" stands in the timeline of Barrueco's albums.

(I should have waited until March to discuss the album; then it would be 33 1/3. Get it? Never mind.)