James Keelaghan and Oscar Lopez have frequently appeared at each other's concerts and have recorded on each other's albums. Despite their distinctly different styles and repertoires, the two have always enjoyed a riveting synergy and they obviously have a lot of fun with the mix. Occasionally they put aside time from their solo careers to perform together under the name Compadres. Anyone who has been fortunate enough to catch them on tour can attest to the musical magic that happens when the stage brings together Keelaghan's fine baritone voice and folk style and Lopez' extraordinarily hot Latin guitar. In a bit of sly irreverence, the two have dubbed their music "Celtino"--a fusion of Celtic and Latin. Whatever you call it, it's exciting music and has been captured on CD as Compadres. One of the outstanding releases of 1997, Compadres is a recommended purchase.

Compadres *
1997 Jericho Beach (JBM 9701-2)

Bump Me Up (to First Class); Lamentos; Mi Vida; Why Don't You Just Grow Up; Coast to Coast; The Kiss (Saskatoon); Follow Me Up There, Carlos; Chiquilina; Spanish is the Loving Tongue; La Española; Red River Rising; Brave Soul 52:09