Ricardo -> RE: Paco Pena (Jul. 13 2006 17:41:17)
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Paco Pena is a solid player. I often wondered why he was not a "figura" when I first got into flamenco. But as I collected recordings an knowleadge, I started to understand. To be a "figura" it seems you have to both compose your own falsetas with your own sound, and work with a renowned singer or dancer, exstensively. PP played a lot of sabicas montoya ricardo, etc, and contributed almost nothing new to the genre of solo guitar. You can get the same stuff by going to the source rather than getting his interpretation. But he could still be regarded as significant by aficionados in spain, if he chose to record with very well known singers. For example, Juan Habichuela is more of an important figure of flamenco guitar, even though he only made one solo guitar recording, that had tons of cante on there anyway. Paco Cepero is another example. Also PP hangs with the classical guitarists a lot, namely bream and williams in london, so he is like the token "authentic" spanish flamenco guitarist. Just watch his interview in the La GUITARRA movie with bream. "Your quality of sound suffers because of your nails, but then again you have dancers...". That kind of crap does not go over well I think with die hard aficionados in spain. But the truth is he is a very solid player, excellent techniques and feeling, interesting projects like misa flamenca, keeps it traditional which is good, does cool fusions like inti illimani, and most important IMO, established the Cordoba guitar festival. Vicente Amigo admitted to attending PP's guitar course as a youngster and certainly thinks very highly of him. I also consider him and his school in Rotterdam responsible for all the darn Dutch guys that play so freakin good. He certainly has made his mark on the flamenco world, even if he is not a historical "figura" and innovator. Ricardo PS, that sound clip I have the CD of that but it is called "FLAMENCO" only, and he is pictured wearing an orange sweater. Have not found the exact same disc on the internet, but I am sure there maybe copies still around out there. Check ebay.
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