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Adam -> RE: Pedro Cortes's new CD (Apr. 9 2013 11:10:35)
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ORIGINAL: Bulerias2005
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ORIGINAL: chuflas
this is a terrific CD-and I know it intimately having worked with pedro (possible future concerts and CD release events). The counterpoint is really impressive and the entire work shows a mature musicality that comes from the true tradition of flamenco. It is an expression of love for that tradition in which pedro grew up in and has impeccable credentials. It is also a VERY MODERN statement with a new york jazzman's sensibility.
Any negative criticisms on this forum in my opinion just spring from a frustration of not being able to engage in the tradition of flamenco-particularly as a participatory ensemble art. Pedro is at the top of his game for a reason--he constantly works with people in New York and elsewhere that are at the top of the profession. They choose him for a reason. Plus he's a madman rhythmically! Love the CD. i think the guajira has top 40 possibilities in spain and Latin grammy possibilities here!
Wait, so nobody is allowed to criticize music now? Saying that the violin on the recording is out of tune has nothing to do with an expression of "frustration at not being able to engage in the tradition of flamenco", but instead with, well... out of tune violins. Hahaha.
I respect Pedro as an artist -- and, in fact, as a complete artist since he is an excellent performer, composer, and teacher -- but there are plenty of guitarists and singers and dancers who are just as intimately aware of the tradition of flamenco. I can think of many, one of whom actually lives in my state of Minnesota and with whom I am incredibly fortunate to currently be taking lessons. Also, if we're talking about rhythmic madmen, I can think of at least 10 young guitarists on the flamenco scene in Spain right now that are doing much more interesting things. Santiago Lara, Antonio Rey, Anton Jimenez, Jose Manuel Leon, Dani Moron, Diego el Morao, Pedro Sierra, etc etc etc... I don't mean to belittle Pedro's level and achievements, but the flamenco community is pretty incredible as a whole, and saying that all those artists "choose" him implies that they are overlooking other fantastic guitarists like Ricardo Marlow and Jason McGuire (which is hardly at all the case, actually).
However, I just listened to the samples and I'm not very impressed to be totally honest. Credentials don't mean much to me if the music doesn't speak to me. I wasn't a fan of Vicente's last two albums, does that mean I'm frustrated because I'm unable to engage in the tradition of flamenco? I fail to see the thought process in that argument. A more logical argument would be that I just didn't like the music, which could be for a variety of reasons. :)
Pedro's farruca sounds pretty cool though. The rest of what I'm hearing from the samples is compositionally meandering IMO, but perhaps the samples aren't doing the pieces justice. I will definitely buy the actual CD before I render a final opinion, though, as I think it is unfair to judge a major work like an album exclusively based on samples.
Hmmmmm, that sounds suspiciously critical.... you must be frustrated of not being able to engage in the tradition of flamenco. That must suck.
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