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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.
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Posts: 6447
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy
Please welcome new members!
One quality, amongst many others, that has come through in Ron's tributes, was his encouragement and warm welcomes to people starting out or returning to flamenco. In that spirit, I have started this new section where I hope new arrivals will check in and we can say "Hi".
Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco
RE: Please welcome new members! (in reply to Escribano)
quote:
One quality, amongst many others, that has come through in Ron's tributes, was his encouragement and warm welcomes to people starting out or returning to flamenco.
Is it alright if I stay on the Foro?
Losing Ron has brought me back to these fond memories. And I feel I am once again, asking the same question I asked when I first introduced myself to the Foro: could I join although I do not really played Flamenco, but only some scarce derivative. As I feared then, I do now, that I would offend the purists on the blog.
On that wonderful beginning, Ron and Florian greeted me warmly and I proudly accepted their kind invitation to stay. Since then, as many may remember, I passionately shared my views and music with a group of people (you) who, overtime, have become as close and familiar as old classmates are.
I often think of many of you, of your advice, compliments and even scolding reproaches. I still follow your exploits, occasionally listening to the music you post here or on facebook. Surprisingly, the only flamenco music I still listen to (those rare days when I feel particularly cool, over a glass of Sherry and smoking a camel without filter) is Ricardo’s Madera Sonora. He was one of the very first Flamencos I ever heard (while blogging on a classical guitar forum) and he ignited my passion.
But I have been on a steady break from Nylon strings, since resigning from the Foro. So after obsessing over Flamenco guitars for about six years, and investing more than any monetary return I could hope for, but much less than the pleasure and joy they unfailingly gave me, I sold my last of the many proud possessions, my Conde Hermanos. I kept, however, the “German Vasquez Rubio” particularly because Ricardo, after listening to one of my recordings, asked what guitar I was playing as it sounded to him like a “very expensive instrument” –and if Ricardo says it, you keep the instrument for life! So I followed a sound advice, and I stored that guitar in the attic; one day, when the time is right, I am sure, I will re-discover how wonderful it is to play it.
I suppose flirting with Flamenco for me was only part of a learning curve which was leading elsewhere. And since then, I have returned to my original love, my own music. I like to call it “Country” music, but it is not really that; it encompasses Bluegrass and Celtic, Baroque and Spanish, and only God knows if there should ever be a label for “my own blend” voiced quietly by one finger-picking guitar and a raucous basso voice. Yet, I cannot wait to share it with you all, probably in what will be the “totally way off topic” section, which Simon will oblige for the occasional lost soul, such as me.
I often say that I compose the music I would love to listen to but I cannot find. And that futile, frustrating search excites an unstoppable process of stitching together notes and then phrases, embroidering a melody with subtle nuances that I sometimes believe I alone can hear. Yet, I love it; I could not live without it, really. I know that all of you who enjoy composing a tune, can somehow relate to this sentiment and know how sweet and dear your own music will always be.
Hence, I am using all (the little, that is) I have learned about classical and flamenco technique to fingerpick a pretty, parlor acoustic guitar, ‘0’-SP by a boutique maker, Huss and Dalton.
I turned fifty this year and am resolved to record and publish a few songs, as it was once my dream. I would like to share them with you, and more importantly the excitement that it will stir (in me). So, now more than a few years ago, is it alright if I stay on the Foro, even though I no longer play any Falmenco, only because I enjoy your music and company?
RE: Please welcome new members! (in reply to gj Michelob)
quote:
Is it alright if I stay on the Foro?
Of course! The foro is for listeners as much as it is for players. I, too, am an aficionado of flamenco and not a player. Learning about different styles of music--especially one as abstruse as flamenco--has been a great educational experience and has changed my perspective on the other styles of music I thought I knew so well.
quote:
...and I stored that guitar in the attic...
I wouldn't store a guitar in an attic unless it was a temperature and humidity controlled environment.
The foro is a better place with you--so welcome back.
Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco
RE: Please welcome new members! (in reply to Pgh_flamenco)
Thank you Ed (alomost ) and Pgh, I could not be more delighted and am so grateful for your warm responses to my post and, above all, to Simon's call [to continue Ron's tradition of welcoming new or returning members].
The circumstances make us feel closer to one another, and Ron could not have left us a richer inheritance than this bond of camaraderie which unites us beyond space and time.
.... Cheers amigos
PS.: The guitar is stored scrupulously in a temperature controlled environment, where also wine and cigars have aged well.
RE: Please welcome new members! (in reply to gj Michelob)
quote:
Is it alright if I stay on the Foro?
Hey! great to have you back. I was going to ask you about your move to country music but you talked about it. I remember reading your last post... about to moving to country music.... (what!, omg)... just kidding. Good to have you back.
RE: Please welcome new members! (in reply to Escribano)
quote:
Is it alright if I stay on the Foro?
Believe me I really missed your presence here in the foro! I´m so happy to read your posts gj!
Right now I´m close to a deadline for work. I have to workout some presentations, reports etc till today. So I´ll read everything a little later. From tomorrow till Sunday I leave the country .. at the moment too many things happen at the same time. Its unbelievable.
RE: Please welcome new members! (in reply to gj Michelob)
I joined after you've already left, but your presence was definitely felt. I was hoping you'd return as your posts are some of the most entertaining reads around.
I'm with you on the 'not a flamenco purist', so don't feel alone next time some shmoe brings up the old puro vs fakemenco argument. I got your back.
Re the bay area - do you go out to see Jason at all? He's got some bi-weekly gigs at various spots around the city. I usually meet interesting people at his gigs, not to mention his amazing playing. Let me know if you're up for one - I might be able to convince my wife to give me a night off from child-rearing.
RE: Please welcome new members! (in reply to Escribano)
I'm hardly ever on, but decided to make a more committed return. I have used the foro a lot when perusing through audio clips and what current trend is in the flamenco world in hopes of me learning everything better. Hearing everyone play, progressing, putting their hard work into the challenges that come up so often (whatever happened to that??) only inspires me to continue play more and more (may not play 'better', but definitely to play more). For that, I thank you all.
I don't think I ever properly introduced myself in the foro, but thanks to this thread, I'll go ahead and do so.
I'm Dararith, from the San Francisco Bay Area. I've been playing flamenco for a few years, learning what I can from youtube and this foro...though I have no music background/experience, and I am now starting to understand what others mean when they laugh that I'm starting right off the bat with flamenco, much akin to jumping into the lion's den, combined with drinking straight from the fire hose. I have a youtube up with me attempting to play flamenco a couple of years back, but it's quite embarrassing as I have much to learn. But anyway, I hope to learn more from everyone here, since the knowledge here is vast...
And gj! Ricardo's Madera Sonora CD is one BADASS album. I share your joy in that, it's one of the only CD I listen to nowadays. It's got such a good flow and composed beautifully. Again, lots of talent here in the foro..lots all share and keep this fire lit!
RE: Please welcome new members! (in reply to gj Michelob)
Very happy to have you back my friend, the forum is warmer and kinder when you are here
You have your own nice effect on us when you are here, at times you might see you dont like (hope not) just ignore it or look the other way or say something about it but dont let it make YOU leave...for every one thing you dont like theres i dont know how many hundreds of members that like having you here, so dont ever leave us again :-) it really is nice to have someone that cares as much as you here
quote:
I'm hardly ever on, but decided to make a more committed return
thats great to hear too dararith, welcome back to you too
RE: Please welcome new members! (in reply to Escribano)
Gj, i had no idea you are originally from Italy¡ That explan the high artistic spirit and the beautiful sense of humor
I'm happy to see Senior members back as for years i read their contributions and enjoyed it. I'd suggest a foro meeting to be held in a different country every year. ( if we choose a place beside the sea, in summer time , the probability of the numerous attendants will griw more. I love to meet you one day guys and i'm happy to meet you here
_____________________________
This is hard stuff! Don't give up... And don't make it a race. Enjoy the ray of sunshine that comes with every new step in knowledge.
RE: Please welcome new members! (in reply to gj Michelob)
gj you've been gone much too long old friend. Remember, you don't have to play flamenco to be here. You only need the admiration and appreciation for the art. Plus, I'm willing to bet you are the foro's best dresser
Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco
RE: Please welcome new members! (in reply to Escribano)
Simon, Dararith, Gummy, KMM, Florian, TomRocker, GBV, Argaith, TANunez…. thank you, thank you and thank you again.
Now I feel my exile ended, and I am back… “home”.
This place stirs an assortment of ideas and projects, I wil run them by Simon, and will try to raise the post of what we can do with this awesome community of musicians.
At one point, if memory serves me well, Ron had summoned all to add their location under their names, so that we could appreciate the geographic vastity of our membership. And, we should add, that it will also encourage us, when travelling, to meet the members who live in the city we visit.
So let’s oblige Ron on that one, please add the "city" where you are posting from!
Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston
RE: Please welcome new members! (in reply to Escribano)
michelob--good to see your return/not dropping off the face of the earth. some of the best threads, albeit at another forum, involved your topics you started or contributed to. now, if we can only figure out who is iberianwolf,we can really get the fireworks to begin.
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) always enjoyed your posts. 
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