zata -> RE: Bulerias de Jerez? (Nov. 26 2003 18:06:53)
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I've been away for two weeks so please excuse the delay in responding to this very interesting discussion. Andy, there are several issues becoming confused. With very rare exceptions falsetas cannot be identified by their place of origin (Moron is the glaring exception that proves the rule). What your friends are doing is what we all do...you recognize a Morao falseta for example and say "that's Jerez", or a Marote falseta and say "that's Granada". Recordings are always easy to identify because there are so many indicators...Jerez usually has raucous jaleo and even the voices shouting are identifiable, in particular Bo with his shout of "HOO-YA!" which always reminds me of Al Pacino from Scent of a Woman. Regarding relative tempos, I have to say you are wrong. Remember we're speaking in generalizations. Moron for example is famous for veeeery slow bulerias. But where can you hear the fastest bulerias known to mankind? In Moron, both on recordings and live. Nevertheless, Moron is the place they do very slow bulerias, never Jerez and seldom Utrera (to speak of Sevilla doesn't say much because there's no cohesive style). As far as "accusing", that's the national pastime...Jerezanos say "up north" they can't do bulerias, too fast, too slow, no compas, too much cuple... In Utrera and other pueblos of Seville province where there's cante, cantaores they say in Jerez everyone sounds the same, boring compas, no personality and much too fast. Look at what Tomas de Perrate explained about Utrera tempos in the conference he gave last June in France, and which is online at http://www.deflamenco.com/articulos/verArticuloi.jsp?codigo=FLA%7C579: "Regarding the cante of bulerías, it would seem that any group turns it into a fiesta with a certain tendency to accelerate the rhythm, but in Utrera however the rhythm takes on a certain solemnity, resisting the roller-coaster effect and enjoying a laidback, easy acceleration." Utrera bulerias represents 'Sevilla style bulerias' because of the many famous bulerias singers the town has produced: Bambino, Bernarda, Enrique Montoya, Perrate, Gaspar de Utrera, Pepa de Utrera, Ines de Utrera, Turronero... All these singers recorded and were imitated by younger artists. It is because of this "school" Sevilla is known for the laidback rhythm of its bulerias. And if that doesn't convince you, then take my word, when I go to Jerez I'm in big trouble if I forget to use my 'alkaline batteries' to sing at fiestas...the contrast is always a little shock the first few minutes...and it's always so soothing to return "north". Estela 'Zata'
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