Ron.M -> RE: Paco Pena (Jul. 12 2006 20:44:50)
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Henrik, The picture on your album is different to the one I have and I got the first issue of "The Incredible Paco Peña". The tunes must be the same however. I met him in Edinburgh not long after he recorded that album. I was about 19 and he about 26. He must have liked my enthusiasm, for he took the time out to give me some free lessons during the afternoons of his stay of the Festival. He's a very no nonsense, no BS kind of guy and very down to earth when it comes to the guitar. He spoke very freely of his times in Spain and his (then) current ambitions, (which was a private discussion so I won't discuss it here), but I was very impressed by his honesty and life philosophy. He even played a couple of toque libre pieces all the way through for me and asked what I thought. Great memories! He's a bit of an enigma. On one hand he's very disciplined and down to earth.. And on the other hand he did crazy things like rent a W1 luxury flat in London, even though it must have cost a fortune, not long after getting some UK gigs. It must have been very touch and go if his income could support that. Very Spanish attitude, I think![:D] The reason I think that Paco's name doesn't come up much in Spanish Flamenco circles (although they know of him), is that he made London his home and base from a very early age and found a lot of early success there. I saw some of his early concerts and IMO that was when he was at his best, (to my taste anyway). He was very controlled but uninhibited (if that makes sense?) Very Gitano, very Flamenco..but with a smooth edge. His performances then started to get a lot more formal, with very clean and exact playing, but IMO...that "raw" edge was getting more and more into the background and his tone started to sound more "classical". For me anyway...my favourite album will always be "The Incredible Paco Peña". He seems to enjoy just taking a back seat now with his group, allowing the younger guitarists to knock themselves out. [:D] But..yeah... I have a special place in my heart for the man. He deserves his success. cheers Ron
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