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Just to let you know that "Camaron : In search of a Flamenco Legend" by Marcos is now available to pre order on Amazon. This is the first ever book on Camaron in English written by someone who has followed his career all his life and whose knowledge and understanding of flamenco is without question. I was priveleged to be asked to proof read some of the early chapters and can't praise this book highly enough. Two words, really
This title presents the story of the passion and intensity of Flamenco, the culture of a dance, the death of a legend... In 1992, the greatest Flamenco artist of all time died at the age of 41 as a result of drug and alcohol abuse. Yet, Camaron de la Isla is still known as the 'Flamenco Beatle', the singer who rescued this dramatic music from the clutches of General Franco and gave it back to the streets. For Flamenco lovers throughout the world, he symbolises the passion, intensity and danger of the greatest dance on earth. So, why did this gypsy singer, whose Che Guevara image now sells everything from tea-towels to a Hollywood film, come to such a tragic end? 14 years after Camaron's death, Marcos, best known as the 'BBC's voice of Flamenco', returns to southern Spain on a journey in search of Flamenco's greatest artist. Discovering the real Camaron takes him to the salt flats of Cadiz and the streets of Seville, and he discovers why Spain's greatest hero is not a pop star or a footballer, but a dead gypsy. What was it about Camaron that appealed to lawyers and street children alike? Why did 100,000 people gather at his funeral in 1992, despite Camaron's addiction to heroin and cocaine and his prison sentence for murder? What was the real cause of his demise? The mystery behind Flamenco's martyr takes Marcos on a journey of discovery that will bring him to the lifeblood of this remarkable culture, and into the heart of Spain's most vibrant community.
Prison sentence for murder? Aren't they confusing him with someone else? (José Serrano maybe?)
RE: New Camaron book - in English. (in reply to Tenshu)
Hi Tom,
I guess that's a 'write up' from somewhere and not text from the book? I've know about Marcos for quite a few years now and I'm sure the book will have been very well researched.
RE: New Camaron book - in English. (in reply to buleria)
Yes, that was from a write up rather than the book itself and Romerito, I think you will definitely find a lot of interest in it, despite having read Spanish biographies. There are also some really interesting new interviews printed in English - and Spanish - at the back of the book. Karenanne
RE: New Camaron book - in English. (in reply to buleria)
The "flamenco beatle" who rescued flamenco from General Franco?
F*ck the Beatles
He died of drug abuse? No, he died from smoking
TYpical left wing non-sense
Also, as a Cuban-American I find the comparison of Camaron to Che Guevara offensive...Camaron was a gifted artist and Che Guevara was a cold blooded killer
If you want to know what I think this is what I think
RE: New Camaron book - in English. (in reply to mark74)
While there are aspects of the book I didn't care for, most of it is well written and interesting. I enjoyed it a lot. There is also Paco Sevilla's on PdL which is also largely about Camaron. I enjoyed that one as well.
RE: New Camaron book - in English. (in reply to Tenshu)
quote:
the singer who rescued this dramatic music from the clutches of General Franco and gave it back to the streets
This is nonsense. Franco used the colourful folklore of Spain as propaganda and was well know for his support of artists such as Caracol or Rocio Jurado.
And while Camaron was never convicted of murder, he was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.
Finally, I think it is generally accepted that he died from lung cancer.
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