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I went to see P.P on Saturday here in L.A. I have to say it was disappointing. He played 3 solo pieces (old ones as usual) and for the next 2 hours it was his group. Mainly dancers, though interesting, it was not what I was envisioning. The person who impressed me the most was the lady singer. amazing voice for sure. The guy was good too.
It was a Paco Pena concert but he was not the center of attention. His team was...
I wonder if there are people from the foro who went to see him too and what's their take on it?
RE: Paco Pena performance in Los Angeles (in reply to tk)
I've always admired/enjoyed his taste in finding inspirational people to join him. On top it is advertised as Paco Peña flamenco dance company (i bed the poster shows a dancer and not Paco). Personally i don't mind this setup at all. Lucky enough i've seen plenty of Paco Peña solo concerts in the 70ties and 80ties and one can still enjoy over 10 fabulous solo records of that period covering almost all his stage pieces (as far as discography is concerned Paco de Lucia and Paco Peña are the most productive players of the precent generation, if not in quantity than most certainly in quality)
RE: Paco Pena performance in Los Angeles (in reply to tk)
He's getting older... I saw him 3 - 5 years ago. It was only him on stage with his peg-head blanca. I was in the front row. It was awesome, but he didn't play any bulerias. According to the rule of "flamenco = 90% bulerias", it was unfortunate. Joking of course - that performance was great. Being a hardcore flamenco solo GUITAR fan, that was the ideal concert setup for me.
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From: The Netherlands
RE: Paco Pena performance in Los Angeles (in reply to tk)
That does he for a pretty long time now....playing a bit in the background and let the youngsters do the show. I like him the most solo too. Seen some solo performances in the past, just Paco, his sweather ( i thought he was married with that shirt in that time:-) And his guitar. Also I saw him together with Joe Pass, and a with Eduardo Falu. Especially the one with Eduardo was very nice. I do not think he does that small projects anymore....
RE: Paco Pena performance in Los Angeles (in reply to tk)
quote:
Also I saw him together with Joe Pass, and a with Eduardo Falu.
I'm incredibly jealous!
I was at the show in LA, I kind of expected what I saw though. Last time I saw Paco out here it was very similar. I think a lot of the members here would be surprised at how modern 80% of the show was. It was modern without being..........maricónao.....or elevatory. Yes, a little too much cajon but all and all a good quality flamenco show, again I wasn't let down because I expected it more or less. The female singer was amazing, her tientos could make a grown man cry.....almost
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Joined: Jul. 12 2009
From: Washington, DC
RE: Paco Pena performance in Los Angeles (in reply to tk)
Did his performance in Los Angeles include the number that he had in his performance in Washington, DC, where he and a woman playing the castanuelas both sat close but opposite each other, he playing the guitar and she the castanuelas? It was a sort of flirty performance, with the woman acting cocquettishly as she played the castanuelas, ending each segment of the piece with an enticing flourish of the castanuelas in front of him.
Cheers,
Bill
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RE: Paco Pena performance in Los Angeles (in reply to tk)
It did include the castañuela bit, I think it was a Zorongo, he did it a couple years ago when I saw him too. That one, a solo granaina and a garrotin where the only really traditional stuff.
RE: Paco Pena performance in Los Angeles (in reply to rombsix)
quote:
ORIGINAL: rombsix
He's getting older...
70 already. From Paco's point of view it's probably much more fun/relaxing to travel the world with a group of friends who share the responsibility of delivering 90-120 minutes of firework when the intercom tells it's time to light the show.
RE: Paco Pena performance in Los Angeles (in reply to tk)
I just saw the show here in Colorado. I would have loved a solo show but I pretty much knew what it was all about. I thought the male singer was great, obviously not the popular opinion here. Loved the cajon, dancing was fine. Thing is, Colorado is so light on flamenco tours (though there is a small, robust local bunch here), I can't afford to be picky. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was very surprised at how fast the time flew by.
RE: Paco Pena performance in Los Angeles (in reply to tk)
I saw the show in Toronto. I was expecting a little more solo but I thought it was great all the same. I strongly recommend seeing it if you get a chance.
You flute aficionados may be disappointed though. There aren't any.
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RE: Paco Pena performance in Los Angeles (in reply to Guest)
quote:
Now if I did go to one of his concerts, I'd probably be dissapointed if it wasn't the typical 70's set up where it's only the player and the guitar. I wish I lived in those times to see PDL rip it at Teatro Real or something!! Damn it those 70's were good for music!
RE: Paco Pena performance in Los Angeles (in reply to tk)
I have been fortunate to have seen Paco Pena twice in El Paso, TX. Once with the dance company-that was was great, but light on guitar solos within that context. The second time I saw him with Elliot Fisk (the Bill Gates of the classical guitar). That was an odd show although very entertaining. Not very heavy on the flamenco side, and he seemed a little uncomfortable with the classical pieces. I saw that someone posted a review of a concert with Eduardo Falu-didn't see them live, but that recording of them on Nimbus is one of my favorites.
RE: Paco Pena performance in Los Angeles (in reply to AndresL)
Although you are correct that it is disspointing for those of us who really go for the guitar solo pieces, the fact that Paco moves into the background when he is playing with other artists is just like his very nature. He is the most humble man and likes to let others shine. He has nothing to prove. Even when he plays a duet he will normally play 2nd guitar. To me one of the greatest players who has stuck to his calling, not delved into drugs and alchohol like some others. Actually when watching the show, I was thinking it is almost becoming a Angel show. He is excellent also..
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