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I'm negotiating to interview Pele regarding his new record with Vicente Amigo and need suggestions about what kind of things you'd like to hear him talk about. Any ideas?
That really puts us on the spot, sitting there with the great man himself and trying to think of something meaningful to ask. I'd start with, 'did you always want to play for Brazil?' then 'how did it feel to score so many wonderful gaols for your country?'
NO, NO,...ONLY JOKING, COULD'NT RESIST IT!
I'd want to know about his selection process for material, does he compose his own verse, I don't speak Spanish and it always interests me to know if the great singers 'jam' and sing there own words when they perform. I'd also like to know what he thought about guitarists and why Vicente? El Pele always strikes me as having a traditional Jondo voice yet Vicente is often critisised for being ultra modern, what does he think? Another question would be, does he teach Cante? and are there any young singers comming through that he saw great potential in? also, Is there a Cordoda style, I sometimes hear guitarists talk about Cordoda toque being mainly in the minor key, is this correct and does it make a difference for Cante? That's a fantastic oportunity you have there, good luck and looking forward to hearing how it goes. Cheers Jim.
zata, I have to be honest, speaking as someone who came to flamenco because of people like Paco and Vicente, I'm quite interested in hearing about Vicente! Like what is he like to work with, is it a different process with him than with more "old-school" type of players, etc.
Jim, I can answer your question about the verses. Great singers, and un-great...we all have the same choices. There is a large body of traditional verse, some of which you probably already recognize. Then there are verses you hear "around town"...from some new record, the guy down at the bar...and the verses one makes up, something perhaps less than half of all singers do, unless they record, in which case nearly all.
So a standard set of a standard cante like solea for example, might begin with some "oldies but goodies", then some lesser-known or original verses, and most likely back to traditional for a powerful ending. Jose Menese was probably the first famous singer not to use traditional verse, mostly because he was discovered and promoted by a local poet who decided to turn him into a star and wrote verse specifically for him. Fosforito also sang some non-traditional verse, and after that it became common.
Even traditional verses have endless variations and one given singer will vary the precise words while keeping the meaning. Verses are interchangeable between cante forms so sometimes changes are made to fit the different compás.
Hi Zata, That was great to read, I always imagined that there had to be an element of personality within Cante beyond just the pure texture of the individual voice. This makes me want to learn Spanish and makes me realise just how much I'm missing. Thanks Jim.
Zata, if you know Jose Menese, perhaps you've met Eduardo Rebollar. He was my favorite teacher in Sevilla this summer. If you see him, maybe you can tell him "hola" from "El Perilla de Phoenix." That would be great!
Poeta de esquinas blandas was one of the recordings which I liked most back in 1991 when I was living in Spain. I still love that cd.
I wrote to Rafael Manjavacas (of deflamenco.com for those who don't know who he is) to find out if someone was going to do an interview with Pele. I specifically asked if I could perhaps send a few questions...
When is the interview shaping up to happen?
I have been very busy and haven't given it the thought I'd like to.
I will send some questions which you can review and try to ask if they seem like they'll provide some interesting discussion.
Anyway, let me know by what date you really need the questions.
wrote to Rafael Manjavacas (of deflamenco.com for those who don't know who he is) to find out if someone was going to do an interview with Pele. I specifically asked if I could perhaps send a few questions...
Anthony, Rafael is negotiating the interview, which means he's in contact but a date hasn't been set. I'm collecting possible questions which I will then translate and send to Rafael since I believe the interview is going to be in Madrid which is not my territory. There's no rush...if a date is set I'll let you know.
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