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RE: Antonio Rey's Concert - 9/23/22 (in reply to machopicasso)
Great performance. One of the few young flamenco guitarists who IMO is making not just great flamenco but great music. Too bad he isn’t getting anywhere near the recognition he deserves.
Posts: 2006
Joined: Jul. 12 2004
From: San Francisco
RE: Antonio Rey's Concert - 9/23/22 (in reply to Bulerias2005)
I agree completely.
As far as "Spain", i was disapointed when I saw him do this number in Santa Barbara last year. He had a local guy backing him on this tune and for whatever reason, the guy didn't play a solo. In fact, it was tough to hear the guy when he was playing rhythm. I mean, it's a jazz tune-everyone gets a solo. I wasn't expecting the guy to out picado Antonio, but in jazz a solo is when you get to show the audience who you are. The guy deserved that, unless he just didn't want to do it.
When Antonio has come to the states the last few years, at least in my area he uses local dancers, guitarists, cajon players, and even singers. That's pretty cool for them, but most of them are not anywhere near his level. Doesn't make for the best show.
This is a management issue IMO, in that he really has not received the support and recognition his level of playing should afford him. Hopefully that will change.
Just read an article yesterday where Steve Vai said it's almost impossible to tour because of the costs. If Vai, who has a solid following, can't do it, I guess it's got to be tougher for Antonio, even though he is a great artist....
quote:
ORIGINAL: Bulerias2005
Great performance. One of the few young flamenco guitarists who IMO is making not just great flamenco but great music. Too bad he isn’t getting anywhere near the recognition he deserves.
RE: Antonio Rey's Concert - 9/23/22 (in reply to Mark2)
quote:
When Antonio has come to the states the last few years, at least in my area he uses local dancers, guitarists, cajon players, and even singers. That's pretty cool for them, but most of them are not anywhere near his level. Doesn't make for the best show.
I suspected that was the case with this concert! I know he used to use his siblings. Cool for the local guys but sad for flamenco, but glad to hear its not just him.
Posts: 15725
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Antonio Rey's Concert - 9/23/22 (in reply to Mark2)
quote:
That's pretty cool for them, but most of them are not anywhere near his level. Doesn't make for the best show.
I will admit I was very excited for ONE of my friends who was invited to play with Antonio. I was close to booking a ticket to go see him perform out of town, and make nice trip out of it. But then I learned Antonio was going to play with a sh1t ton of my friends all over the states, and well, it was not as “cool” as I thought it was. So what is going on is he gets an artistic grant from somewhere that stipulates he “hire” local artists, and in this manner he is able to fund a “tour” and promote the local art scenes wherever he goes. It makes sense for him to do this, but we as “fans” need to contextualize what that means exactly. He is doing what he “has” to do to make the money, but at the same time he is supposed to be enriching the artistic environment. Spain by chick is obviously a safe fusion standard, but enriching?. PDL has done this thing himself in the past, and I personally know one guy that played Entre Dos Aguas with him in the 70’s when he toured alone. We need only be concerned, at this point, about the state of the music Industry, as Antonio is on the same or similar trajectory as early Paco. He would need a major success such as the guitar Trio type thing, to become a touring legend as Paco eventually was with his sextet. But IMO, it would have to be a different formula somehow, in general, to end up with the million dollar-for 10-shows contract that PDL ends up with as an old man.
Posts: 2006
Joined: Jul. 12 2004
From: San Francisco
RE: Antonio Rey's Concert - 9/23/22 (in reply to Ricardo)
Yes, one of my friends also played with him, but I saw the show in a different city and didn't see my friend play. I hope it went well for him. I had no idea that contracting locals would be part of the agreement. I just thought it was too expensive to bring more folks from Spain.
I backed Pepe Haro playing the chords to Entre at his concert in San Jose 20 or so years ago. We started the tune and he nodded at me and gave me the first solo. I didn't play the melody, thought that was not appropriate, so I just improvised. We hadn't discussed it so I was surprised, but thought it was really cool of him. Now I'm bummed-maybe he had to "hire" me!! HAHA, doubt it since I didn't get paid! He also had a local dancer, and some American pro jazz players on the gig.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ricardo
quote:
That's pretty cool for them, but most of them are not anywhere near his level. Doesn't make for the best show.
I will admit I was very excited for ONE of my friends who was invited to play with Antonio. I was close to booking a ticket to go see him perform out of town, and make nice trip out of it. But then I learned Antonio was going to play with a sh1t ton of my friends all over the states, and well, it was not as “cool” as I thought it was. So what is going on is he gets an artistic grant from somewhere that stipulates he “hire” local artists, and in this manner he is able to fund a “tour” and promote the local art scenes wherever he goes. It makes sense for him to do this, but we as “fans” need to contextualize what that means exactly. He is doing what he “has” to do to make the money, but at the same time he is supposed to be enriching the artistic environment. Spain by chick is obviously a safe fusion standard, but enriching?. PDL has done this thing himself in the past, and I personally know one guy that played Entre Dos Aguas with him in the 70’s when he toured alone. We need only be concerned, at this point, about the state of the music Industry, as Antonio is on the same or similar trajectory as early Paco. He would need a major success such as the guitar Trio type thing, to become a touring legend as Paco eventually was with his sextet. But IMO, it would have to be a different formula somehow, in general, to end up with the million dollar-for 10-shows contract that PDL ends up with as an old man.
Posts: 2006
Joined: Jul. 12 2004
From: San Francisco
RE: Antonio Rey's Concert - 9/23/22 (in reply to Brendan)
That’s true, and I think his shows suffered for it. Albert King, otoh, who never had the popularity that Chuck Berry once enjoyed, had his band on the road with him. Personal choice for sure. Or more likely a business decision. I don’t know if Berry used pickup players at the height of his popularity but it seems unlikely.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Brendan
This used to be very common. Chuck Berry was notorious for it.
Printable Version
So what is going on is he gets an artistic grant from somewhere that stipulates he “hire” local artists, and in this manner he is able to fund a “tour” and promote the local art scenes wherever he goes. It makes sense for him to do this, but we as “fans” need to contextualize what that means exactly. He is doing what he “has” to do to make the money, but at the same time he is supposed to be enriching the artistic environment. Spain by chick is obviously a safe fusion standard, but enriching?. PDL has done this thing himself in the past, and I personally know one guy that played Entre Dos Aguas with him in the 70’s when he toured alone. We need only be concerned, at this point, about the state of the music Industry, as Antonio is on the same or similar trajectory as early Paco. He would need a major success such as the guitar Trio type thing, to become a touring legend as Paco eventually was with his sextet. But IMO, it would have to be a different formula somehow, in general, to end up with the million dollar-for 10-shows contract that PDL ends up with as an old man. 
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