Tomatito in Austin last night

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Richard Jernigan

Posts: 3430
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.

RNJ

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 6 2014 21:20:15

Ricardo

Posts: 14799
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Tomatito in Austin last night (in reply to Richard Jernigan)

Thanks for the review. He will be here March 18, can't wait!

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CD's and transcriptions available here:
www.ricardomarlow.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 6 2014 21:37:15

aeolus

Posts: 765
Joined: Oct. 30 2009
From: Mier

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.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 6 2014 21:38:32

xirdneH_imiJ

Posts: 1890
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!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 6 2014 21:42:30

changue

Posts: 187
Joined: Aug. 31 2010
From: London

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!).

Changue

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 7 2014 8:52:28

mark indigo

Posts: 3625
Joined: Dec. 5 2007

RE: Tomatito in Austin last night (in reply to Richard Jernigan)

sounds like the same show I saw in London a year ago from the front row - worth every penny of the ticket and travel!

I just wish I'd caught Paco the year before when he came....

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 7 2014 9:54:54

Ricardo

Posts: 14799
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

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

CD's and transcriptions available here:
www.ricardomarlow.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 19 2014 14:01:45

el carbonero

Posts: 295
Joined: Jun. 23 2007

RE: Tomatito in Austin last night (in reply to Richard Jernigan)

Who are these 3 girls in the pictures ?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 19 2014 15:03:18

aeolus

Posts: 765
Joined: Oct. 30 2009
From: Mier

RE: Tomatito in Austin last night (in reply to Richard Jernigan)

Tomatito cuts quite the figure with that stylish scarf and his locks. Bravo!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 19 2014 20:32:27

NewPlayer

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.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 19 2014 20:45:33

aeolus

Posts: 765
Joined: Oct. 30 2009
From: Mier

RE: Tomatito in Austin last night (in reply to NewPlayer)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 19 2014 20:47:35

Xavi

Posts: 68
Joined: Jul. 10 2012

RE: Tomatito in Austin last night (in reply to Richard Jernigan)

Good times! I got into Austin for business related to SXSW - but wishing I was there for Tomatito instead!

Thanks for sharing

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 19 2014 23:49:10

Doitsujin

Posts: 5078
Joined: Apr. 10 2005

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

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 20 2014 11:16:25

jimand

Posts: 45
Joined: Mar. 27 2010

RE: Tomatito in Austin last night (in reply to Ricardo)

So El Cristi is Tomatito's son? I didn't know if that was his son or nephew. I had read conflicting information online.

- Jim

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 20 2014 20:59:10

Doitsujin

Posts: 5078
Joined: Apr. 10 2005

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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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2014 0:35:03