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Posts: 2277
Joined: Apr. 17 2007
From: South East England
Francisco Prieto in Cordoba
Hi guys,
My teacher told me about this guy and I've just had a look. Be interested to hear what you all think.
My initial reaction is that it's real clever - his left hand is buzzing around those frets like a mad mosquito - but I'm not sure if he's lost the essential thing that makes the song form what it is? Haha - probably just jealous - I'd be lucky to play at a tenth of that speed!!
In the list of related videos there's some of the other competitors too, all doing astonishing things. Arash posted the Santiago Lara ones a few weeks ago. There's one guy called Juan Marin and I mis-read it and thought, "Surely not Juan Martin!!!"
If you look at the guitar prizes for last year's concurso it says
* Premio “MANOLO SANLÚCAR”: desierto * Premio “JUAN CARMONA HABICHUELA”: Juan Manuel MuñozEl Tomate * Premio “PACO DE LUCÍA”: desierto
Does desierto mean it wasn't awarded at all? Anyone know what happened?
RE: Francisco Prieto in Cordoba (in reply to Ailsa)
that was downright bizarre.. blazing left hand speed! can't say it grabbed me musically.. it left me a bit confused. sounds almost like a joke at times.
Posts: 533
Joined: Jul. 16 2003
From: Toronto, ON, Canada
RE: Francisco Prieto in Cordoba (in reply to Ailsa)
The recorded sound is not flattering on any of user "charnes" videos, so I will give all these players a benefit of doubt (Sound is a pet peeve of mine, though). Also, even though I can follow the compas in their videos, they should dearly consider palmas accompaniment at least. So many guitarists cannot pull off a solo of bulerias or any rhythmic palo. Because it's hard! So instead of being able to interplay with an accompanying rhythm, they interplay with what rhythm they hear in their mind or whatever is ingrained in them, but it does not show in a compositional sense. It probably only adds to the clutter in their mind. They need to be given space.
Now I'm all for technique, but it seems there are so many guitarists who just want to cram so much of it in to their playing, whereas there are better examples out there for them to follow who have the same technical ability.
It's only frustrating for me because they are clearly skilled and may even have some nice hidden ideas, but they do not shine, because, well... it's as if they're taking a belt sander to their guitars, why!! No tones ring out and there is really no indication of emotional reflection in their playing (Anytime they reduce volume, play less frequently, or modulate some other way it seems so contrived like they just heard that on a PdL album). Some of these guys, I think, just tragically have so much energy, skill or potential for talent, but no constructive place to put it, like hyperactive children. But hyperactive children should not necessarily be put on Ritalin... I'm just saying these players need to harness their beautiful energy in a different way. I mean you can tell they just exhaust themselves anyway, because the only breather they give themselves is the incessant arpeggio patterns which have become so common or a few extra extreme strums when they seem unprepared to play the next thing. Where are the falsetas!!! ayyyyy And the guitarists themselves do not appear too gratified at the end of their performance, just tense and unsatisfied in some way. Alas, these are only my impressions...
This is not great music to me, but a caricature of one sentiment of flamenco. I'm afraid some of this modern flamenco is becoming way off-base, and I love most "modern" flamenco.
That said, I admire all artists and I'm reluctant to criticize.
Amendment: Okay, they and their compositions are not so bad, but they need to find a way to separate themselves from the seas of guitarists who play like this. They're just young guys, give em a chance, I guess...
Posts: 2277
Joined: Apr. 17 2007
From: South East England
RE: Francisco Prieto in Cordoba (in reply to Guest)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Sean
"Desierto" means that the jury considered that noone in that category reached the required standard and decided not to award the prize.
Thanks for that Sean. Does anyone know WHY they thought no-one reached the required standard? What was missing from the performances to make the jury take that decision?
Admittedly Prieto might be all fireworks, but I've looked at the other guys too, and many were more lyrical. If there's an article anywhere explaining what happened please point me in the right direction. My Spanish isn't brilliant, but I can cope!!
Posts: 15725
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Francisco Prieto in Cordoba (in reply to Ailsa)
quote:
What was missing from the performances to make the jury take that decision?
Looks like yet another year and no one knows any guajiras! (That's a joke since that is how Tomatito lost once...)
Folks, competitions are a great way to promote new artists that otherwise don't get heard, but don't take awards or lack of awards as anything too important.
RE: Francisco Prieto in Cordoba (in reply to Ailsa)
Good playing, but not really my cup of tea. I think the guy is a big Gerardo fan but just doesn't have Gerardo's vision, balance or maturity yet IMO. Advanced player though. I bet there are other things he plays just great.
Posts: 533
Joined: Jul. 16 2003
From: Toronto, ON, Canada
RE: Francisco Prieto in Cordoba (in reply to Ailsa)
Yep, sorry, Ailsa, some others are great. I was generalizing and really just ranting madly. I should be more reserved. I feel like as ToddK said, I'm not like this in real life. hehe Had an anxious day is all...
RE: Francisco Prieto in Cordoba (in reply to Ailsa)
quote:
Folks, competitions are a great way to promote new artists that otherwise don't get heard, but don't take awards or lack of awards as anything too important.
Hola Ailsa
The above quote from Ricardo hits the nail on the head. Juries is Spain have a bad reputation, for lack of knowledge, nepotism, corruption etc. I don´t take any of them seriously, even less in Cadiz, where I know the artists and the jury personally The concursos remain a good way to make your face known, though it pays not to be too sensitive (hace falta la cara dura).
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The concursos remain a good way to make your face known, though it pays not to be too sensitive (hace falta la cara dura). 
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