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Posts: 1821
Joined: Jul. 26 2009
From: The land down under
Alex fox
I was just watching this video as the title grabbed my attention.
When i started watching it i thought, I don't know about this? but his personality and expressive body movements had me captivated. I really like his phrasing and the way he expresses the phrase and its sentiment physically. It's cool and kind of funny at the same time. I then watched some of his other videos and saw how popular he is. Anyway, i enjoyed it.
What do you guys think?
I recommend watching and listening to the whole performance before making your judgement.
Mate, what you said means TONS coming out of you, such a great player, and someone who truly knows what flamenco is, and what rumba is.
It's obvious that I like stuff like this (I'm not El Rumbero for nothing, you know ). He clearly does not have the most compositionally complex material, nor the most superb technique, but he puts on a unique show that must be viewed as a WHOLE (including good phrasing, and a heartfelt projection of sentiments with most of what he plays). It's amazing that he's gotten to this age (he's obviously getting older, as I've known what he looked like when he was younger), but still has all this energy and stage presence.
So he is playing against a band in a box type of thing? First somebody should cut his balls for using the label flamenco, but thats just me and I think he cant use any other label without offending the genre either (ie latin, smoothjazz,whatever). Regarding playing/music/performance:
Thats from the Tomato festival in spain, once a year they throw at each other tomato creme. I dont think there is a sense behind it, just fun. Kozz posted a picture site not long ago.
I dont think Tomatos would help Alex Fox, but maybe yellow bottles? (-> see vid above )
ALEX FOX - THE BEST OF THE BEST GUITAR PLAYER IN THE WORLD
I think a fan titled and described the video.
I thought i would get a mixed response
I guess i find this appealing because i lack the ability to involve the audience when i perform. On Sunday i did a gig with Jai and a lady said, "You guys play great but you need to involve the audience more"
I agreed with what she said but i don't really know how to go about it.
I agreed with what she said but i don't really know how to go about it.
It is something i need to work on.
ok but you can't do the things this guy does, simply because you most probably play more difficult stuff and you can't just stand up and move around and noodle a bit on your guitar. you have to focus and concentrate on guitar..... but sure, there are small things you can do... but best is just try to relax and be yourself and not too much tension in your body and face, etc..
not sure if i want those three minutes of my life back. Reminded me of les paul on a nylon string. Old school jazz lines ...maybe had to pawn his archtop years back to pay the rent...though all nicely played...but then again looks like he,s been playing that gig for the last 20 years...enjoyed the vid but maybe not for the right reaaons...
I think they are his sons. One has pretty nice picado. Not at your level though
Seems hard to find a way of playing music that is not only popular among the general public but also respected by musicians who know. Anyway i like this guys sense of humor.
If you are a fan of clean playing i would not recommend this one but if you like the comical side. The move at 7:08 and the gesture towards the dancer at 7:23 had me rewinding and laughing a lot.
well, the guy certainly has a special type of stage presence, for sure.
quote:
I guess i find this appealing because i lack the ability to involve the audience when i perform. On Sunday i did a gig with Jai and a lady said, "You guys play great but you need to involve the audience more"
i think this is important. before our shows, we invite them to yell out jaleos. if they like something, they can say "ole" and if they dont like something, they can say "ole."
i think this helps them feel more involved and at the same time, we can focus on our music and not have to do any funny movements or gestures to grab their attention.
i think this is important. before our shows, we invite them to yell out jaleos. if they like something, they can say "ole" and if they dont like something, they can say "ole."
i think this helps them feel more involved and at the same time, we can focus on our music and not have to do any funny movements or gestures to grab their attention.
I agree man,
When I play with dancers the visual side is there for the audience to focus on so they tend to join in. When it is just guitar, The people enjoy it but it tends to turn into background music.
I would like to be able to provide people with some fun entertainment. I don't really have any ideas though. I would have to find a way that suits my personality.
It must be funny for people going out for a fun night only to have some guitarist get all hard core and jondo
I guess i find this appealing because i lack the ability to involve the audience when i perform. On Sunday i did a gig with Jai and a lady said, "You guys play great but you need to involve the audience more
I've thought a bit about this and I think when you see someone like Moraito playing, he kinda involves you because he smiles and reacts from time to time and looks like he's really enjoying the music he's playing. He makes it sound "live" and spontaneous even though he has played it many times before. Actually Gerardo Nuñez does the same...you can see him react to certain high points in the music.
I think guitarists who sit with a concentrated, straight faced, fixed expression are probably the most boring to watch even though the playing might be excellent.
Hey KMM177, that Alex Fox vid of "guitar on fire" is a classic bit of fun guitar playing and the subject of past threads. He has a lot of fun. A lot of performers can learn one thing from this - have fun and enjoy your music, get into it, and smile (when appropriate), look at the audience every once in a while while you are playing, and you will by engage them.
I was at a Flamenco dance show and the dancers barely looked at the audience - they looked above at the blank wall. Many times their backs were turned away as they danced for the Cantaor. Anyways, it was still good and enjoyable but I can only think how much better and more connected emotionally they would have been with the audience if they spent some time looking at us.
Anyways Ramzi does a version of guitar on fire if you want to look for it...
Hey check this out... don't know what to make of it - the start is kinda ominous, like am I gonna watch a terrorist video? Is that Crusader Blood? There is even a guy by the name of Osama in it, although it is probably a popular name in Arabic countries. Then it gets silly and then they play guitar - Alex Fox of all things...
What this says to me is that music is what allows us to cut through all of the religious, racial, etc BS and bring people together.
Here is another version - I love playing guitar on the road in the car. Wondering where these guys are going... they appear to be at the border - anyone recognize it?
Anyways an easy introduction to guitar on fire.
I do find it interesting to see arabic guitar videos. There are a lot of gypsy king covers in arabic videos. Most of the Pharaon covers are Arabic guitarists for some example. A lot of Rumberos in Saudi. That can only be good in the long run!
Actually Gerardo Nuñez does the same...you can see him react to certain high points in the music.
Yeah I noticed that when he came to play in London a few months ago. I thought what a lovely personality he had - smiled a lot at the audience. Unlike Carmen his wife - wow what a stare! If looks could kill!!