Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.
This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.
We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.
does anyone have any info on recordings by el nino miguel..i have been blown away by solos ive heard on compilations ..wow...his farruca on "grandes guitarras del flamenco" compilation is intensely moving...but have no info on other recordings...i read the other day that he is now a beggar in huelva and completely estranged from the professional scene..what a shame!!!any info much appreciated,
In the early to mid '70s (around 74 if I remember correctly), Niño Miguel was considered by some to be the next PdL. I had his first album which has since been lost, but I have some of it recorded on a cassette tape. I believe he recorded only 2 albums. He apparently had (and still has) some severe mental problems and his very promising career came to an abrupt end. I've heard that he can be seen playing on the streets of Huelva. It's a sad story. I just remembered something (and I don't remember much)... I recently read something about him playing professionally again. Has anybody else heard this?
BTW, you probably already know this, but he is Tomatito's uncle.
I read somewhere that he was playing this month in Sevilla as part of the El Monte Jueves Flamencos series..but i searched all information about these concerts and couldnt find his name anywhere..unless he was taken off the bill later..who knows..but yes..anyone with info on his professional resurgence??phil, can you remeber the name of his first album..ill try to find it...thanks, dylan
Niño Miguel is giving a concert March 10th in Sevilla. He's sharing the bill with Agujetas and Diego de Morón. Wish I could be there. El Niño is one of my all time favorites.
Great player, but the next "Paco"? I don't think so. He was really good but not quite as clean. Not as natural and smooth sounding as Paco. And stylistically, he was pretty much following in Paco's footsteps. His two albums could easily be "out takes" or unused tracks from "Duende" or "Fuente y Caudal". He even had the classical chamber group backing a piece or two. His alegrias in Eminor would fit fine in the middle of "Barrio la Vina", and his bulerias style was just like what Paco had been doing, especially his A minor modulation to close.
One thing he did introduce which was really cool was the Rondena bulerias, one of his best and unique pieces. Can't think of anyone doing that before him. Who knows if he had made other recordings where his music would have gone. Tomatito is also a Paco follower but to me has a much more unique personality in his playing.
One strange thing to note is on Nino Miguel's 2nd album, there is a bulerias por medio (Desde el Condado) that has a falseta that is "out" of compas by 3 beats. It is 3 beats short of a full compas (or an extra 3 to a half compas), not sure where he feels the change. And there are palmas who change with him! If you accent in 3 you would not notice. I have never heard this done deliberately in bulerias before and am very surprised. Was it really a "mistake" that got left on the album? Why if he could do it again? How important is feeling the phrase of 6 to a gypsy guitarist that doesn't count anyway? Regardless, his rhythm is really tight and even, very clear.
Alain Faucher has a nice transcription book of some of the pieces from these two albums, plus the story of his life. I recommend it.
I've never really heard of Niño Miguel being referred to as "the next Paco". I've heard the critics and everyone else refer to him as "Paco's equal". Now whether this was true or not I have no idea since I wasn't there. I will say this though in Niño's defense. If he was this damn good while being mentally sick at the same time, I can only imagine what he would have been like completely healthy.
I've heard that some gypsy flamencos consider him to be better than Paco, but I agree with Ricardo. Some of his stuff is straight up Paco, but he does have some great material all his own. Love his sevillanas and his bulerias. There is a cd out there with both his lp's on it.
Printable Version
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread