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Kate -> RE: Government + Music (Sep. 15 2007 13:55:39)
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Hi Val,
Can you post the Spanish version of this review? I read this last night at about 4 am after a lot of wine and it took a while to realise it was a google translation which is why it was so hard to understand. If we understood the figures right it was a very expensive project. Looks like each track cost over €10,000 each. I guess the artists all got paid a substantial amount ( otherwise they would not have done it) which is often not the case with government funded projects. I wonder how much the producer paid herself.
I have this CD as it happens, I bought it for 4 euros from a local kiosk. It's a great idea, fascinating to have so many different versions of the "Himno de Andalucia" by such great artists. I did not know about the controversy detailed in the above article, ie that the producer of the record was also the director of the Agency which funded it.
This is the problem, 'jobs for the boys' whic is basically corruption. ie Here in Granada the arts council will give a project the go ahead and then the council themselves, record, produce, distribute etc. and then pay themselves. Often the artists are not paid, do not recieve royalties and the CD is used as a promotion for the arts council to show off its good works. They throw a party , throw a few copies around and that's that , job done and the CD disappears.
We are currently looking to the Agencia Andaluz to support us in a project so I will hold out judgement untill I see what happens with our request. Basically a young lad from Granada, an amazing singer ( some of you who saw Emilio Maya play in UK will remember EL Charico, he also sings on Emilio's album) who was at the point of being recognised by the flamenco world as an outstanding singer when he tragically overdosed and has been in a coma now for 18 months. A group of Charico's friends and supporters want to make the recording of his live performance at La Puebla flamenco festival available to the public and are hoping for the backing of the Agencia Andaluz to make this possible. The cost is minimal ( probably about 1% of what was spent on Himno de Andalucia) as the recording already exists ( We simply need to master it and have copies pressed and artwork made up) and the festival has agreed to release it but only if we have official backing. I'll let you know if we are successful, it is not even their money we need really, just their support.
By the way can some-one reformat this page as it is very difficult to read.
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