Mark2 -> RE: What do people think flamenco is ? (Mar. 9 2015 16:34:42)
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Really? Almost walked out on Tomatito? I saw the show in SF and thought it was pretty good. I liked seeing the kids play too. As to the subject, when I got into flamenco I was already playing guitar and had experience gigging in a lot of local venues, so I started playing solo and built some momentum. I knew, or thought, that people into guitar playing in general would enjoy flamenco. I was fairly successful, but I was doing a watered down version of it. Later, when I learned to play for dance and started delving into more authentic ways of playing, and what current pros were actually playing, I lost all interest in making "converts". At this point I understand and accept that few people like what aficionados consider flamenco, and even fewer understand it to any significant degree. So, I don't know what people think flamenco is, and I don't really care. I can say I've seen all sorts of reactions, from the event planner who placed a red bolero hat complete with dingle balls on my head as I was playing a gig, to a guy from Spain who was amazed and delighted that I could play bulerias in compas. From a diplomat at the Spanish consulate who couldn't believe I wasn't from Spain to a waiter from Argentina who thought it would be impossible for me to play flamenco because I wasn't Spanish. Perhaps most memorable was when I saw a show with Chuscales playing for Tania. I grabbed a front row seat in an intimate club. With Chus was a local guitarist, a solid player but without the chops Chus has. A random woman sat next to me and I remarked to her that she was in for a treat, as a famous guitarist was about to tear the place down. As expected Chus lit the place up with spectacular picados, alzupuas, etc. I felt a little bad for the local guitarist, and putting myself in his shoes, wondered what I'd play and how I'd do if I was onstage with Chus. He did his best, but was completely overshadowed by Chus' formidable technique. After the set, the woman next to me asked " Who was the famous one?" quote:
ORIGINAL: Leñador quote:
The part that moved me was Paloma Fantova's dancing. She reminded me of Carmen Amaya, whose last performances in New York I saw in 1962. But they only let Fantova do two numbers. Tomatito's management cautioned the local promoters not to overshadow him with praise for the dancer. I saw that show here in LA and I gotta be honest, Paloma was the only thing that kept me from walking out......she was incredible and he did an incredible job accompanying her but the rest of the show put me to sleep. Someone told me recently that they thought it was like folklorico except with those clicky hand thingies. [:D] We learn folklorico in elementary school out here.....
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