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edguerin -> RE: Enciclopedia de los estilos flamencos (Mar. 13 2009 22:59:46)
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Ok, so here's the requested review:
The Eniclopedia's emphasis is on newer music (i. e. 2nd half of 20th century), and not on historical recordings like in the Magna Antologia.
There are a lot of historical interpretations though, that is modern singers performing original versions of the various palos.
The Enciclopedia is really very comprehensive, covering the whole gammut of palos (including two I'd never heard of: Mosca and Zángano) and "folklore aflamencado". Apart from the local and personal variations there is an example of guitar solo and baile wherever applicable. The recordings are all of excellent quality.
The 192-page booklet (see table of content below) is very extensive . Although the beginning introduction to flamenco in general, which - like the glossary - is relatively cursory, each palo is covered in depth: Origins and history of each palo are elaborated, and mode, rhythm/beat, lyrics as well as structural aspects (tonalidad, compás, estrofa, claves) are analysed. Each and every piece is commented.
The booklet is organized by palo-groups (i. e. soleas, cantiñas etc.), whereas the pieces are in alphabetical order on the CDs (i.e. CD1 Alboreá to Bulerías, CD12 Taranto to Zorongo), this makes it quite easy to find what you're looking for.
Among the early PdL recordings included, I discovered two real gems. The Ramon Montoya Rondeña from Paco's very first solo album (1964) where he still plays very close to the original, and an early Seguiriya (1967).
All in all, this is a must!
Logical structure and cross-references make this "Encyclopedia" worthy of it's name and superior to the Magna Anthologia as a work of reference.
The only gripe I have, is that the artists aren't indexed.
I'm working on this, so anybody interested in an index to the singers, dancers and guitarists, please PM me.
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