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RE: Juan Martin?
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mark indigo
Posts: 3625
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
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 RE: Juan Martin? (in reply to Arash)
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whoagh!!! I wasn't expecting this! Had no idea what I was starting!
Seriously though, I'm not really bothered about people's opinions of JM, or how they feel about him, I'm sorta more interested in the "facts" as it were, 'cos I think that will sort all the other stuff out....
I don't really care what he calls himself, or where he was born or grew up, but I do care about him being honest about it.
I'm not interested in putting him down as a guitarist or for being successful, but I don't like thinking that he just might be duping the public, not to mention the concert promoters into the bargain....
What made me post this here was seeing on Wikipedia that he was born in Malaga, and the same thing being published in a UK newspaper (the Independent).
I have serious doubts about the truth of this, partly because it doesn't actually appear in any of JM's publicity (or at least not in the original book and some later videos I looked at), and partly because I have heard it from at least 3 people who told me they knew him in London in the 70's (probably including your older dance teacher Val, if you are anywhere on the M4 corridor), one of whom is now dead.
JM's own website is sort of vague about his origins, saying he is a "native of Andalucía" and referring to his "early years in Málaga" without actually saying definately where he was born and grew up. So why does Wikipedia say he was born in Malaga and that he's Spanish? And why do newspapers say the same?
I wonder if the tabloid press would do some research if they thought they could make a sensational story out of it?
mark
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Date Dec. 14 2007 4:34:44
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Mark2
Posts: 1871
Joined: Jul. 12 2004
From: San Francisco
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RE: Juan Martin? (in reply to mark indigo)
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IMO, Mark, all the answers to your questions about Juan are contained in his playing.
Flo, totaly agree about people like Jason. If you search my old posts on his playing, you'll see your preaching to the choir on that subject. I knew the guy was brilliant the first time I heard him.
There is the issue of flamenco soloists who made their living outside Spain in the 50's, 60, 70's, and how it affected their playing. Based on guys like Sabicas, Escudero, Juan Serrano, and Paco Pena, I think it would be reasonable to conclude that this career decision led to a stagnation of development in terms of style. None of these guys really seemed to move forward in style of play thoughout their careers except perhaps Escudero. Or is it simply a matter of that's the way they play because that's the way they wanted to play? I think it's probably not an issue today because of you tube, a ton of DVD's , cd's etc. which could keep players in contact with current trends.
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Date Dec. 14 2007 5:05:43
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Florian
Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia
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RE: Juan Martin? (in reply to Hugh)
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Mark2 as always a voice of reason... 
even if i didnt agree with you, i can work with this, discuss it , makes sence to me, its just facts, not personal keeping it to the subject of the discussion.
but i get a bit annoyed when people get theyr back up if other give an opinion that its different to them and dont wanna hear to what you have to say and start getting personal, and rate posts down etc.
Or start labeling you as a trouble maker or hater.
in all my time here, JM is the only guitarist i have ever criticised to my memory, but i praised about 3000 guitarists.
Many people criticised guitarists i like, i took it.
i gues thats why i got a litlle TOO graphical last night
Sorry to the beginner guitarists who study him atm, it is a good beginner book, probably the best, the way its set up , it makes sence and its eazy to follow.
i fixed the ratings again, sorry got lazy after page 2 thats as far as i got 
_____________________________
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Date Dec. 14 2007 10:06:28
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gato
Posts: 322
Joined: Jun. 9 2007
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RE: Juan Martin? (in reply to Florian)
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Well, I can be very mean, and that is not fair to you or anyone else. That is a matter of integrity. Anyway, I was playing the guitar after a moment of inspiration from watching a vid of Manita play, I got on the foro, and now that I put the guitar down, to post this about this JM thread, it seems I have lost all of my energy!  I need to get back to work, and, isn't that what this is all about? I need a coffee, and to listen to some flamenco.......yet, I am glad we are not at war Flo.....it was worth the diversion, and, isn't that what we all need! That's why we are on the foro! It's the diversion. Diversion is good!
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Date Dec. 17 2007 13:46:34
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andresito
Posts: 377
Joined: Feb. 20 2007
From: New Holland
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RE: Juan Martin? (in reply to Florian)
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Ok, Flo, I dug out my old JM book in an effort to convince you... here is what it says
'Juan Martin is a virtuoso of the flamenco guitar with a rare combination of talents. He is a phenomenal player who has established an international name for himself as one of today's most exciting and most creative performers of Flamenco. In addition, he is an inspiring teacher with a passionate enthusiasm for communicating his enjoyment and knowledge of the art to others. Such generous commitment of energy to this labour of love is especially remarkable because flamenco guitarists tend by tradition to be very reticent, even secretive, about how they play.
Juan Martin's artistry has evolved in the very purest traditions of Flamenco. From his early years in Malaga, one of the great historic centres of Flamenco, he went on to gain wide experience playing with many of Spain's leading singers and dancers before attaining his present eminence as a solo recitalist and recording star. In London he has given many recitals at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Wigmore Hall and he is often asked to play on television and radio. In Madrid he has played to a very large audience in the prestigious Palacio de Congresos and he is now in demand for concert tours in many parts of the world.
For a flamenco guitarist to achieve such distinction, he must have more than just brilliant technique. In the art of Juan Martin one can quickly identify that extra-special magic as an uncompromising 'flamenco-ness' which comes from the soul. His compositions for the guitar sow an exceptionally wide-ranging mastery of rhythm and expression and a profound respect for the oldest traditions and origins of Flamenco. A deep understanding of the flamenco Cante, a rare distillation of experience which inspires much of his music, is a special hallmark of his style, as was memorably demonstrated in his recent London concert with the legendary gipsy singer Rafael Romero. Above all, his playing is powered by an earthy intensity of rhythm and emotion (or, to put it simply, duende) which is the true heart of flamenco.'
Now, don't you feel just a little bit bad about what you have said about this great man? He is like the Jet Li of flamenco among so many Steven Seagals...
I think you need to go away and learn 'La feria' and ponder it's 'flamenco-ness', and when you feel you are ready to rejoin the foro we will be glad to welcome you back
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¡este arbol tiene duende, cabron!
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Date Dec. 18 2007 21:55:29
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Guest
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RE: Juan Martin? (in reply to andresito)
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quote:
He is like the Jet Li of flamenco
you might even say hes the larry, mo and curly of flamenco.
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Date Dec. 18 2007 23:33:39
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, I am such a hipocryt lol 
