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My brother and I founded a concert promotion company (circa 1996) to work with artists that we most admired: Paco de Lucia, Al Di Meola, Jean Luc Ponty, etc.
Our first concert was the Guitar Trio (reunion) in the U.S. in November 1996. Paco was great to work with; a very kind man.
During one conversation, I asked him what he believed was his most important work and he answered, "Siroco." For me, Siroco was always one of the greatest statements of the guitar, period, so it was a very cool moment.
The day of our show, Paco and John had flown into town together. Al missed his flight, however, and there wasn't another flight to get him in on time. As promoters, we were preparing to announce that the "Guitar Trio" had become the "Guitar Duo." Fortunately, management chartered a private jet, and Al flew in just in time for the show. Disaster averted.
I recently watched some of the European leg of this tour on YouTube, so just wanted to share that quick story; hard to believe that 17 years have passed. I've attached a promotional poster signed by the three maestros, which is a great memento from this time.
Today, I wonder whether Paco would give the same answer to my question? Would he say Luzia was more meaningful? Or, will he yet compose something of the magnitude of Siroco?
Posts: 1956
Joined: Dec. 2 2006
From: Budapest, now in Southampton
RE: Paco, The Guitar Trio and Siroco (in reply to Xavi)
It was the Guitar Trio and Paco's involvement that drew me closer to flamenco, and there are probably many more who walked a similar road to my own. Unfortunately I missed my only chance to see them live around 1995, but I've been fortunate enough to have seen the maestro four times since, and meet him once in person.
It's highly unlikely that he'll ever make an album as important as Siroco, but I'll be very happy if he makes an album at all. It's been many years since Cositas Buenas and his only new contributions to flamenco are guest appearances on singers' albums. He's been playing the same couple of pieces in his concerts for the past 10-15 years.
I've also seen Al DiMeola in concert and if all goes well, next week I'll see (and meet) John McLaughlin too! Very much looking forward to it. It somehow feels like entering my own old dreams...
Posts: 15725
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Paco, The Guitar Trio and Siroco (in reply to Xavi)
Story goes, Paco and Al always had problems since the 80's and that tour almost cancelled due to a fist fight where Paco punched Al pretty hard. Heard it from independant sources but with a grain of salt, still seems something happened. Also Al had a problem with Mclaughlin's manager so they don't get along either (JM montreux box set was supposed to be trio, but Al pulled plug so its the Paco duo). That info I got from the horses mouth when I used to frequent Al's forum and he would chime in now and then.
Paco always sets the bar higher with each album. I dont' see so much evolution anymore, but with in the same vein he still creates. Some new things on the baile of Farru on the live album. Paco has SO much material so he gets a lot of mileage with old themes re arranged. I am actually surprised every time I see his concert to see how he has revamped things so it sounds fresh, yet familiar. Some of my colleagues tell me "same darn concert I saw 15 years ago, just different band", but I notice a lot more of the subtle changes. Based on his track record, I would NOT put it past him to reinvent some new amazing album that just makes everybody crazy again as did so many of his discs in the past.
I love the music of siroco but the recording is weak with tons of reverb. Sort of romantic that way, but I prefer the fidelity of many of this others. I did notice that in his entire discography Siroco is the ONLY album that he produced himself alone. On mercury records a totally different label too. I hazard a guess that having that control over the project adds to his bias towards that singular album. Ricardo
RE: Paco, The Guitar Trio and Siroco (in reply to Arash)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Arash
Does anybody know from which piece the falseta at 5:11 is ? ;-)
3:49
Zyryab was actually the last record of Paco i was able to enjoy, my favorite record happens to be Ciroco as well (it has one of the most beautiful intro's ever (Alegrias) as well as one of the most beautiful endings (Mineras)).
Posts: 4530
Joined: Aug. 9 2006
From: Iran (living in Germany)
RE: Paco, The Guitar Trio and Siroco (in reply to Erik van Goch)
thanks. thats so weird, i heard all paco pieces so many times but couldn't remember this particular falseta. I also think he doesn't play this falseta very often live.
RE: Paco, The Guitar Trio and Siroco (in reply to Arash)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Arash
thanks. thats so weird, i heard all paco pieces so many times but couldn't remember this particular falseta.
Despite having various cd copies i recently bought the record version of it (again) when it was offered on eBay in un-played condition. I had to pay over 25,- for it but i simply love the sound of a brand new record (after a couple of rounds of playing the sound quality of a new record drops considerably so it allows me to hear Paco a couple of times in the best possible conditions again).
Posts: 15725
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Paco, The Guitar Trio and Siroco (in reply to Arash)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Arash
thanks. thats so weird, i heard all paco pieces so many times but couldn't remember this particular falseta. I also think he doesn't play this falseta very often live.
he used to play it all the time in the group number. check live in america
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