a_arnold -> RE: RAFAEL MORALES revisited (Feb. 21 2007 1:55:33)
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BTW, Ted, I guess I misread the other thread you started on Rafael Morales. Somehow I had gotten the idea that someone had corrected you, saying that you were really talking about Rafael Moreno, and I had the impression you agreed that you had the name wrong. I'm really glad you didn't. Although I haven't really been looking, you're the only other person I've run into who has one, although I have found reference to him on the web. There is also a performer out there who is called Rafael Morales (still active) but it's not the same guy, and he works with a group. But there are a few references to the guitarerro. Nothing more than a mention that he was a part of the Granada school. Not sure what that means. Chica learned his trade from his cabinetmaker father and used those skills to begin making Torres-based instruments. Hardly a "school". Maybe there was something more organized among the other builders. He had a flamenco instruction book out, too, by the way. He showed it to me, but I didn't get a copy, preferring to learn directly from teachers. He really seemed like an itinerant guitar seller when I met him. Slightly disreputable looking, and willing to do a deal in the street. The guitar he offered was undeniably worth the money, so I didn't really care where I bought it. I wish I had paid more attention to both him and Bellido. Who knew Bellido (or Gerundino) would turn out to be such great builders. I guess Gerundino counts as part of the Granada School; Almeria isn't that far away. I went to an all-night juerga held in a school in Almeria one night, and was able to drive back to Granada by dawn, so it couldn't be too far away. Made the trip in a VW that had to be parked on a hill to get it started. Fortunately, Bellido's shop and my apartment were on one of the steepest hills in Granada, leading up to the Torre Roja part of the Alhambra, which, like all medieval fortresses, was built at the top of the hill. Incidentally, I had the chance to play my Chica IN the Alhambra. If you ever go there, visit the burial chamber built by Carlos (V, I think -- it post-dates the Islamic part of the structure). It's a big room, and the ceiling is parabolic in design, and the focus of the parabola is on the floor in the center, where I sat. All the sound generated by the guitar was reflected right back to me. It was like being inside the guitar! I'm sure the guards wouldn't even let me bring a guitar into the Alhambra in these post 9/11 days, but the guards then clapped along and sang. Sorry . . . reminiscing. Anyway, That's all I know about Rafael Moreno. I hope someone else can add something. By the way, MY label is printed all in black ink. I didn't get any gold lettering. . .
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