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I am happy to have become a member of this interesting forum.
Over forty-five years ago, a guitar-playing doctor described Flamenco and advised me to see a touring guitarist, the late Carlos Montoya. In obtaining the RCA Victor recording, 'Carlos Montoya and his Flamenco guitar', I found a work that remains fresh. His concerts, which I attended from the 1960s through the '80s, were sublime even toward the end when, as an older man, it took a bit more time for him to build an Andalusian muse that seemed three dimensional.
Montoya was a wizard, however, a few elements were missing from his work: singers, dancers, and percussionists. Moreover, Montoya's concerts never veered off a single, repeated playlist by so much as a note. As it is said that Vivaldi didn't write many compositions but one composition many times, Montoya performed only one concert, but repeatedly.
So here I am, close to Portland, Oregon, hoping to find dancers and singers to accompany. I'll play a cheap flamenco guitar as do many great Gypsy musicians. Do you believe that I am mistaken, that all great musicians play only instruments that are prohibitively expensive? Then have a look at 'Flamenco', a documentary film by Carlos Saura. Many of the musicians play so percussively that holes have been worn into the tops of their guitars. I can't imagine that this was done to a thousand-dollar instrument. Can you imagine a hole worn into the top of a Hauser? It would be enough to make a grown man cry.
If you know of any amateur Flamenco groups in Oregon's Willamette Valley, please let me know how to contact them.
Posts: 3497
Joined: Jul. 12 2009
From: Washington, DC
RE: Introducing Manos de Plomo (in reply to Manos de Plomo)
Bienvenidos, Manos de Plomo,
Forgive the presumptuousness of my observation, but why do the various elements of your post (comparing Carlos Montoya with Vivaldi, playing a cheap guitar to avoid holes in a Hauser--a Hauser flamenco?!--even your "Nom de Plume"-Manos de Plomo!) make me think you are are engaging in a send-up? a vaguely amusing send-up, but a send-up nevertheless?
Why the introductory post today from someone who joined April 29, 2011? Are you a Foro member posting under a changed name and avatar? In any case, bienvenidos, and as you advise under your name, I am "prepared for enchantment."
Cheers,
Bill
_____________________________
And the end of the fight is a tombstone white, With the name of the late deceased, And the epitaph drear, "A fool lies here, Who tried to hustle the East."
RE: Introducing Manos de Plomo (in reply to Manos de Plomo)
Thank you, El Kiko, BarkellWH, and rogeliocan, for your response to my self-introduction.
Bill, I have given due consideration to your post. In my position, it would be prudent not to continue engaging in a send-up. Accordingly, I shall change my forum name soon.
I wish to learn from all of you in our future contacts.
RE: Introducing Manos de Plomo (in reply to Manos de Plomo)
quote:
I'll play a cheap flamenco guitar as do many great Gypsy musicians. Do you believe that I am mistaken, that all great musicians play only instruments that are prohibitively expensive? Then have a look at 'Flamenco', a documentary film by Carlos Saura.
Nothing wrong with playing on an inexpensive guitar but I guess you are joking about the film- it's filled with multi-thousand dollar guitars! Conde, Lester Devoe, Barba, Ramirez etc.
Posts: 15730
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Introducing Manos de Plomo (in reply to Manos de Plomo)
quote:
Many of the musicians play so percussively that holes have been worn into the tops of their guitars. I can't imagine that this was done to a thousand-dollar instrument. Can you imagine a hole worn into the top of a Hauser? It would be enough to make a grown man cry.
Actually, it is a necessary evil of flamenco yes. the gopleadores eventually need changing if the guitar is played a lot. Some hits outside of the tap guard are inevitable as well especially for those generous enough to pass their personal battle axe around to others at a juerga (part of the flamenco lifestyle). To put the crying thing into perspective...Conde or Gerundino or Ramirez (guitars in flamenco film) 5-10 k range. Hauser...30-40K range!!!!!
RE: Introducing Manos de Plomo (in reply to Manos de Plomo)
Ricardo, I apologize for the tardy reply. Whether soloist or accompanist, the use of percussion is a matter of taste and circumstance.
Some criticized Carlos Montoya for failure to assault and batter his guitar. I don't understand this. He did use some percussion; many of his other interpretations fared perfectly well without it.
I believe that it is not necessary to be hidebound regarding these matters. The musical tradition speaks so directly to us that we will never let it disappear.
Best wishes for the success of your new recording,
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