carmen amaya

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carmen amaya

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Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

carmen amaya

David Chu (remember him) sent me The Life and Legend of Carmen Amaya. I have only gotten through about 100 pages of this tome so far, but it's an enjoyable, very detailed read, filled with gossip about diva dancers, the guitarists Ramon Montoya and Sabicas, and the history of flamenco in general. I haven't read too much about flamenco history, but this one really fills in a lot of gaps. I recommend flamenco aficionados to read this; I think it would make sure a lot of us are on the same page about certain types of discussions that sometimes occur here. Flamenco is certainly filled to the brim with personalities... in fact, maybe flamenco IS personality. The flamencos I know, even the American ones, seem quite susceptible to these diva type outbursts and infighting.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 5 2004 16:04:55

aarongreen

Posts: 367
Joined: Jan. 16 2004

RE: carmen amaya (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

Boy your not kidding about the diva attitude. Boston used to have a very good flamenco scene, including Omyra Amaya (Carmen's grand niece) but the backstabbing and incestious behavior killed the whole thing. Omyra left town. Chuscales used to have Boston as a base and played regularly with Omyra, there was a regular schedule of performances, juergas etc.. There is still good artists here but is ain't what it once was.

I have nothing but respect and a high opinion of Omyra by the way, I don't recall any incidents of her behaving badly but I have seen some pretty lousy stunts pulled by some of the other local flamencos. It's a shame but not uncommon. It's also why I don't go to too many juergas or performances anymore. Although I did come out of my shell to go see Enrique Morente ( did I spell that right?). Wow I forgot how good it can be.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 8 2004 15:16:12

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: carmen amaya (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

It's funny, I was just thinking aloud the other day, wondering about the diva thing, the "I'll never talk to that bast---rd thing", the incestuous thing, and is that really a characteristic of flamenco, or just carnies? It might have more to do with the lifestyle of itinerant performers and non-regular-job-holders than flamenco, really.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 8 2004 16:46:55

Guest

RE: carmen amaya (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

Hola

My feeling is that the back stabbing concept is more typical of foreigner flamenco. In Andalucia it exists, but is much natural and flamencos stick together. I remember that flamenco life in London was horrible.

Sean

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 8 2004 22:23:33