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srshea -> Heard Anything Good Lately? (Feb. 20 2010 14:07:34)
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When I make an order from the fine folks at Flamenco Connection I usually impatiently count the days till its arrival, waiting by the door like a dog longing for his master to come home. But things got a little hectic this week and I completely forgot about the CDs I ordered until they were dropped with an unexpected thump on my door step this morning. “Hey, what’s that little box? Oh, man, Christmas in February!”
Manuel Gerena- Cante Jondo
The copyright on this is ’89 but think this is from the 70s. Doesn’t really matter; this is one of those records that sounds like it could be from 1970 or 1990 or 2010. Rock solid stuff with Juan Habichuela. Great voice, like a less rough Chano Lobato with a little Paco Toronjo in there as well. All heavy stuff, jondo fandangos, soleares, tientos, seguiriyas, etc. And it’s long! Fed the cats, showered, shaved, made breakfast, cleaned up and this sucker was still chugging along with no end in sight. A keeper.
Maria Jose Perez- Cante Flamenco (how do they come up with these titles?)
This is billed as “con la colaboracion especial de Gerardo Nunez” which I now know means that he played on exactly one track. Miguel Ochando handles most of the accompaniment. Pretty good. It’s a little slick for my tastes, has a real “studio” sound. Her voice is really strong and clear and melodious and well suited to the fandangos/levante stuff on here. Reminds me of Gema Jimenez’s record in that respect. This will probably grow on me a bit….
Terremoto Hijo- La Herencia de la Sangre
I really hate participating in the phenomenon where everyone goes out and buys a guy’s stuff as soon as he dies, but this was already on my list, and I figured I should get it before it’s gone. Wow, this one’s ripper. The only other one of his I have is Cosa Natural , which I do like a lot but feel is maybe a bit subdued. Based on that I formed an opinion that while being a very good, very deep singer, he lacked a certain “edge” that his old man had. This record is notably more balls-out and raw than Cosa. Moraito’s playing is sharp and energetic Lot’s of fandangos, solea, tientos, seguiriyas, and a couple of ass-kicking bulerias to even things out. GOOD record.
Yeye de Cadiz- Puerta Tierra
Huh, not quite what I was expecting. Starts off with lighter stuff, bulerias de Cadiz, alegrias, a silly rumba adapted from a Serge Gainsbourg song. In the second half it sobers up with some fandangos and solea and closes with a martinete sung to a funky drum loop! Some good singing and good playing from Pedro Sierra but kind of a weird mix of stuff and some uninspired “stock” modern production here and there. Has some kind of multimedia deal that I can’t get working. I dunno, Yeye. I’ll keep listening and see if this one grows on me….
David Lagos- El Espejo en Que Me Miro
Very nice. Hits the sweet spot between modern and trad. Good modern playing from Alfredo Lagos with Santiago Laura and Moraito pitching in. Most of the cantes are sung in homage to some of the greats, Chacon, Paquera, etc. Good stuff!
La Paquera de Jerez- Fandangos Caracoleros
She’s got a few of these confusingly titled records that suggest that they’re collections of all fandangos, which is not the case. Usual mix of cantes. Paquera, Parilla, perfect…..
Anyway, it’s been a while since I’ve seen a “heard anything good lately” thread. So, heard anything good lately?
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