Pedro Sierra

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Pedro Sierra

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Pimientito

Posts: 2481
Joined: Jul. 30 2007
From: Marbella

Pedro Sierra

The new generation of players has some great talent emerging. I think I have seen most good players live now but never had the chance to see one of my favorites, Pedro Sierra. I went to a concert last year where he was billed only to find the guitarist had been changed to Dani Mendez at the last moment (who was fantastic) and then to a mini festival where the guitarist was changed to Diego Morao (who I dont need to say was also amazing).

Last night the circuito Andaluz arranged a concert for Pedro Sierra in Granada.
For a monday night it was a good audience although only about 2/3 tickets had sold. I got a 5th row seat and got to see him playing up close. Pedro is well known for accompanying but now his solo skills are peaking. He started with a Rondeña that went into Buleria, then one of the most amazing Granainas I've heard followed by a beautiful Farucca. His wife "la tobala" joined him on stage to sing Alegrias and Tientos/tangos. There was an amazing Solo siguirilla that left me open mouthed.

Its fair to say Pedro Sierra is a monster player. Technically he has borrowed a lot from Gerardo Nuñez. The alzapua patterns are close to Gerardos and he has a similar "machine gun" sound in Alzapua. He also does tremelos with his thumb, using the nail like a plectrum to great effect. He does not use the complex arpeggios of Gerardo but there are a lot of similar picado patterns. I also noticed some composition similarities in the Rondeña. His picado is extremely fast indeed but also very tasteful. Pedro uses quite a lot of Jazz harmony in his composition but still manages to remain very flamenco. His buleria is very "al golpe" and his playing is generally quite percussive. Diego Morao and Paquete are great players but compositionally Pedro Sierra is way beyond these guys and has written some memorable pieces.

I was extremely impressed by the level of his work, and would rate him among some of the best players I have seen live, comparable with guys such as Chicuelo and Cañizares

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 10 2011 9:38:53

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Pedro Sierra (in reply to Pimientito)

I love Perdo Sierra thanks for this buddy

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 10 2011 12:27:47

Don Dionisio

Posts: 360
Joined: Feb. 16 2011
From: Durham, NC

RE: Pedro Sierra (in reply to Pimientito)

Thanks for your thoughtful review. I'll try to find some recordings by him.
Dennis

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 10 2011 12:54:47

rombsix

Posts: 7816
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon

RE: Pedro Sierra (in reply to Pimientito)

quote:

I was extremely impressed by the level of his work, and would rate him among some of the best players I have seen live, comparable with guys such as Chicuelo and Cañizares

That's great, but can he play Romance, Cavatina, Recuerdos, and Canon?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 10 2011 13:06:56

tmock

Posts: 143
Joined: Jan. 23 2005
From: New York, New York

RE: Pedro Sierra (in reply to Pimientito)

Nice! Thanks for the review. I first became aware of Sierra when he released Nikelao, but I never actually bought the album. I ordered it a few days ago (along with some other great stuff), and now I'm really looking forward to getting a chance to listen.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 10 2011 14:21:42

Harry

Posts: 390
Joined: Jun. 24 2010
From: Montreal, Canada

RE: Pedro Sierra (in reply to Pimientito)

As you say, Pedro Sierra is very strong when it comes to composition, and attack. I prefer him to any other guitarist of his generation and type, including Gerardo, Chicuelo etc...

Here is one reason why. I have always hated that weird chorus type effect that is present here, but the playing is staggering.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 10 2011 17:09:34

Guest

[Deleted] (in reply to Pimientito)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 10 2011 20:19:06

Harry

Posts: 390
Joined: Jun. 24 2010
From: Montreal, Canada

RE: Pedro Sierra (in reply to Guest)

I don't think anyone gets close to the master, but I think the best way to put it is that he is underrated.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 10 2011 20:24:10

Pimientito

Posts: 2481
Joined: Jul. 30 2007
From: Marbella

RE: Pedro Sierra (in reply to Guest)

I dont deny the guy is awesome...both technically and compositionally. My only argument with your point here is that its difficult to say that someone can get to a certain level without the work and influence of those who went before. There is no way that Pedro Sierra has superior technique to Gerardo Nuñez because his technique has a lot of influence from Nuñez...plus you cant really judge from recordings what these guys are like live. Nuñez defies belief in real life.

Saying all that its down to personal preference. You like who you like. Personally I wouldnt rank Pedro as one of the top 3 players but would certainly consider him in one of the top 15 players in Flamenco.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 10 2011 23:31:56

bursche

Posts: 1182
Joined: Jul. 19 2007
From: Frankfurt, Germany

RE: Pedro Sierra (in reply to Harry)

quote:

underrated.

like Riqueni ;)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 11 2011 0:04:57

Guest

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 11 2011 1:08:55

xirdneH_imiJ

Posts: 1893
Joined: Dec. 2 2006
From: Budapest, now in Southampton

RE: Pedro Sierra (in reply to Guest)

there are many more, and some of them don't have solo albums out so you may only see them on youtube or if you walk into tablaos...i think we're fortunate to have so many excellent players around...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 11 2011 1:17:37

Pimientito

Posts: 2481
Joined: Jul. 30 2007
From: Marbella

RE: Pedro Sierra (in reply to xirdneH_imiJ)

This is the truth of the matter. For every solo player with a CD there are a dozen unknown guys who are phenomenal. In Granada, Seville, Jerez and Cadiz its normal to be a virtuoso player. This is something I couldnt understand for a long time. Even the waiters can pick up a guitar and play well. Thats just the flamenco culture!

Because there are so many players, its going to be difficult to compile a top 10 list. All of your players are great but then you still have to place Cañizares, El Viejin, Niño Josele, Rafael Cortes, Jesus Rosario, Anton Jiminez, Antonio Rey, Juan Habichuela, Emilio Maya, Juan Carlos Romero... and thats just from guys with CDs.

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Follow my blog http://pimientito.wordpress.com/

"Ceremonial" by Mark Shurey "Pimientito". CD and digital download vailable on Amazon and
CDbaby. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/markshurey

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 11 2011 17:03:49