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Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía
RE: What made Camaron so popular? (in reply to Neotriz)
I think that is a great question. I would have to say his lyrics such as 'Como Agua' are immensely catchy, likewise songs he sang written by others such as Kiki Veneno's "Volando Voy". Both these examples are Tangos which are always happy and infectious and get radio play. Also although he was from Cadiz he incorporated the sounds, the jaleos from the tangos of Extramadura bringing them back to life. El Lele for example. I think his popularity also stemmed from his modernity, he reached a wider audience than the old style flamencos.
Of course his voice is amazing and still widely copied today by the young flamencos, and he had a stage presence which reminds me of the great Jaques Brunel, you could see the passion, the sweat and sincerity when he sang.
While his death added to his cult status he was revered long before he died. He would have been 60 this December. Friends of his here say that before he died he was considering moving to Granada, where the Gypsies still lived like Gypsies. I fantasise about that, seeing him live in the Sacromonte hanging out with a beer and growing old disgracefully.
Posts: 1770
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands
RE: What made Camaron so popular? (in reply to Neotriz)
I think we also have to place it in time a bit, Flamenco was for the old people, ( the parents and grandparents.) not the yought...and sudenly there was a hippy together with another hippy playing flamenco!.....
Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía
RE: What made Camaron so popular? (in reply to gerundino63)
Also good management. Camaron was taken under the wing of Paco de Lucia's dad who was an astute businessman. I think it was down to him they made their first recording. Paco and camaron were a dream team and his Dad knew how to exploit that to their advantage. He also knew when the time had come to break the team up, when Paco was in danger of being known as Camaron's accompanist.
Camaron was also, according to sound guys we have spoken with who recorded him, very comfortable in the studio. He would fall asleep while they laid the tracks and be woken up, headphones on, mike next to him and sing his heart out. Not everyone can do this, and flamencos are notorious for not feeling it in the studio cant sing to order in sterile conditions. Camaron could do a track in one take, no overdubs, no layering, no dropping in, just front to back.
So many factors played a part, skill, talent, luck, destiny, tiempo :)
RE: What made Camaron so popular? (in reply to Kate)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Kate He also knew when the time had come to break the team up, when Paco was in danger of being known as Camaron's accompanist.
So he discontinued with Camaron to be known more as solo guitarrist? There was another story that Paco was too embarrassed because the people liked his playing, instead he wanted them to like Camaron more ( ) and that being the reason why he didnt work as cante accompanist anymore.
Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía
RE: What made Camaron so popular? (in reply to Morante)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Morante Despues de Leyenda del Tiempo, la obra discografica de Camarón es flamenquito/pop: lo que gusta más a los españoles.
Si pero antes de grabar La Leyenda del Tiempo en 1979 el había grabado 9 discos con exito, con Paco de Lucia y dirigido por su padre, es decir fue popular antes de su trabajo con Ricardo Pachón. Además este disco fue denostado en su tiempo hasta a el punto que la gente vuelvan a las tiendas para cambiarlo. Hasta su muerte solo había vendido 6,000 discos.
Deniz, Paco was always a solo guitarist, he would specifically be credited on Camarón's albums as a colloborator not as an accompaniest. Eventually due to his own busy schedule touring solo his student Tomatito took over playing for Camarón.
RE: What made Camaron so popular? (in reply to Kate)
I would agree Kate.
I think the main things Camaron had going for him was an amazing voice, youth, good-looks, style, vitality, a simpatico personality, a definite "gitano" confidence and delivery and that little germ of sorrow that is always contained in the happiest of Flamenco palos.
This guy was singing since he could barely speak and was totally at ease with cante whether accompanying himself or being accompanied by others.
He could just switch into "the zone" without all the singer theatricals.
He was always generous with his praise of guitarists who did something that got to him, no matter how simple, because he understood the guitar as well.
In spite of his great success and fan adoration, he never really became a big-head in his personal life and was happy to perform in small venues in his own time.
He didn't just "do" Flamenco professionally...he WAS Flamenco to his very soul.
In short a great Flamenco aficionado as well as an artist.
RE: What made Camaron so popular? (in reply to Neotriz)
Aside from his style, which like Kate says is still widely copied today, I've also heard of guitarist and other artist who claim he had perfect pitch and could easily match the playing of the guitar making him a joy to play for.
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) and that being the reason why he didnt work as cante accompanist anymore. 
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