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Posts: 3487
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA
Tomatito in Austin last night
Given the choice between a modern style stage show and a tablao, I would probably pick the tablao. Given a choice between either and a peña with one good guitarist and one good cantaor, I would pick the peña.
But last night Tomatito and his sextet blew the roof off the Paramount theater in downtown Austin, and blew me away with it. Everybody in the group was really great, singers, percussionist and 2nd and 3rd guitars. Of course, Tomatito was outstanding in his ultramodern originality.
But for me the highlight of the show was the dancer Paloma Fantova. She appeared only twice. After Tomatito opened the show with a solo rondeña, she danced a brief finale to an alegrias taken at warp speed, with Tomatito´s characteristic violent syncopation and avant-garde harmony. She electrified the place, but disappeared until the final number.
It was a very fast soleá, danced almost as alegrias, with long stretches of solo zapateo, the instruments silent. Her virtuoso footwork, fiery speed and brilliance in fluid and graceful body, arms and hands, brought the audience to its feet, roaring with acclaim.
It has been decades since a dancer brought tears to my eyes. I swear she reminded me of Carmen Amaya, whom I saw in her last New York performances in 1962.
RE: Tomatito in Austin last night (in reply to Richard Jernigan)
From just culling through YouTube Tomatito seems to me to be the most interesting of players before the public. Austin seems to be a hot bed of progressive energy in a sea of ossified conservatism. Lucky you to see him live.
Posts: 1956
Joined: Dec. 2 2006
From: Budapest, now in Southampton
RE: Tomatito in Austin last night (in reply to Richard Jernigan)
I saw the same show here in November, from first row, her feet were a meter away from me...man, that woman has some energy...but it's also worth checking any of her videos online, she surely is one to watch in the future!
RE: Tomatito in Austin last night (in reply to Richard Jernigan)
I've been lucky enough to see the Luz de Guia tour twice in recent years. On both occasions with Simón Román al cante - excellent. They locked into a whole series of Camaron letras por bulerias and to hear those letras with Tomate's guitar… electrifying. Definitely a five star recommendation (as if there was any doubt!).
Posts: 15725
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Tomatito in Austin last night (in reply to Richard Jernigan)
Last night was great! was reminded of our foro challenge years ago, Alegrias. He totally messed up the first falseta right in the middle of it and fudged his way out if it. The second Falseta was last and Paloma danced over it to end the piece. They sang the coro from the Alegrias on barrio negro.
His son kicked butt in the encore bulerias
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Posts: 141
Joined: Nov. 29 2012
From: San Francisco
RE: Tomatito in Austin last night (in reply to Richard Jernigan)
My band-mate tried to pull off a similar stylish outfit (60 year old man wearing a Thin scarf, tiger skin see-through shirt and butt-tight slacks. I told him, " hell no!" and made him change. lol
We already are a fake-menco group, no need to make things worse with the wanna-bee rockstar outfits. Jeez...lol
Only players like Tomatito could get away with that.
RE: Tomatito in Austin last night (in reply to Ricardo)
quote:
Last night was great! was reminded of our foro challenge years ago, Alegrias. He totally messed up the first falseta right in the middle of it and fudged his way out if it. The second Falseta was last and Paloma danced over it to end the piece. They sang the coro from the Alegrias on barrio negro.
His son kicked butt in the encore bulerias
Nice little story bro. Stop lying bro. Tomate was on the Millenium Folcon last night bro. Fara faaaaar away in another galaxy bro. tststs
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RE: Tomatito in Austin last night (in reply to Richard Jernigan)
*it's not Tomatito's, it's hansolo's son. It happened at betageutze in some karaokebar which tomatito and his wife confused with a swingerclub. ... **** happens. (Chewbaka told me. And dont say my bro is a liar!)
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