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BarkellWH -> RE: Vicente Amigo New Album in Spring (Jan. 14 2016 13:28:41)
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quote:
Vicente is right up there with PDL, Sabicas, and especially Antonio Rey. Of course, it's hard to compare anyone to Sabicas or PDL because they were "the all" of flamenco guitar at their time. But if anyone has carried Paco's torch of continuing extreme fusions with other genres, then Vicente is it. He does it with taste and grace. Calling those experiments and fusions "elevator music" is quite closed minded IMO. What would flamenco be if Paco hadn't experimented and fused musical genres?
I no doubt overstated my case when I referred to it as "elevator music," Shroomy. I take that phrase back. Nevertheless, I stand by my overall rating of Vicente. I do not consider him as great a force in flamenco as Sabicas and Paco de Lucia were in there respective eras. Compared to past greats, I consider Vicente second tier. I'm not saying he's bad; just that he does not come up to their level, in my opinion.
Regarding "fusion," I have stated here before and I will state it again, I am not a great fan of fusion, either in music or food! I began to lose interest in PDL when he added a bass guitar and a harmonica to his group. I know, I know, it was still flamenco, but it was not a flamenco that appealed to me. Over the last several years, there have been attempts at "fusion" of various cuisines, such as Latin American (usually Mexican or Salvadoran) and Chinese. In Arlington, Virginia (near Washington, DC) a few years ago there was even a restaurant that billed itself as featuring Bolivian and Chinese cuisine! Having tried several of these attempts at "fusion," my conclusion is that it more often than not results in a mediocre product, diminishing the best of both cuisines.
Such "fusion" in music can result in interesting combinations, but it can result in mediocrity as well. I think the attempts at "fusion flamenco" result in the latter. But that is just my opinion for what it is worth. And what it is worth probably would not buy you a cup of coffee and a croissant.
In any case, let's see what he comes up with on his latest album this spring. Perhaps it will change my mind. Or perhaps he will disappoint his most ardent admirers (admittedly, not likely). We'll just have to see what he does with it.
Bill
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