britguy -> RE: Early Flamenco Publications (Oct. 19 2011 14:05:00)
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Yes, you are correct. There were very few publications on flamenco guitar in England in the 50's and 60's. There was one hardcover book in Spanish that I remember, but cant recall the title or the author. He claimed to be a pupil of Ramon de Montoya, but there was some doubt about this. British jazz guitarist Ivor Mairants (very enterprising guy) also published a book on flamenco guitar in the 60's, which I bought. It contained many photos of the author posing with several Spanish guitarists, but very little valuable stuff on flamenco playing. I seem to recall I gave it away. I didn't know Anita Sheer had written a book. I recall, from her photos and related articles in British publications, she was an attractive female singer/guitarist who sang Spanish songs. By far the best stuff in England on flamenco guitar in the late 50's were the excellent series of articles in the Clifford Essex magazine BMG, written by Michal E. Fisher. Entitled "The Art of Flamenco" , they were really excellent definitive articles, well-written, and covered the various techniques and most popular forms in great detail. The author also reviewed available books and recordings. I found his articles really helpful and inspiring. I believe Michael Fisher was also a personal friend of Marcelo Barbero in the 50's, who built a guitar for him. (He also wrote an excellent article on Marcelo's step-by-step building procedures for this guitar). When I first wanted to go to Spain in the late 50's I wrote to Michael, care of the magazine, for advice. He responded with advice and details of where to go, and recommended his old teacher Manolo Bonet, in Madrid. Who became my teacher, and went with me to Jose Ramirez's old shop on Conception Jeronima to buy my first real flamenco guitar - a 1958 Ramirez cypress blanca. I recently contacted the BMG magazine to see if there was any chance the articles had been published in book form. Sadly they were not. But apparently are still available as back issues! Would be great if they could get re-printed sometime. . . (Hope this nostalgic, self-indulgent drivel helps in some ways. . .)
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