Wednesday, March 24, 2010

New Spanish Flamenco Guitar Music


One of the great things about music is that it's always changing. Always evolving. Incorporating influences from other musical styles, to morph into something new and unique. Nowhere is this more apparent today than with new Spanish Flamenco guitar music.

But to truly appreciate what's going on now, it's important to have a basic understanding of the history of Spanish music.

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Friday, March 5, 2010

Flamenco Guitar


Flamenco Guitar , and the dance and cullture that are part of it, have a long and varied history. TOO LONG to go into here.

Distinctive - not Original

What is obvious when you examine what we generally refer to as "Flamenco Music", is that it is hybrid. Composed of elements of other previous musical traditions. The Romans and Greeks, particularly. Even the Italians are represented. As two of their most celebrated composers, Scarlatti and Boccherini resided in the Kings palace in Madrid during the early Renaissance.

The Big Two

But the two greatest contributors to the evolution of Flamenco Music as we know it today, were the Moors, who inhabited Granada for more than 800 years, and the gypsy tribes that roamed the Mediteraneen.

The Main Man

Perhaps the leading contemporary advocate and innovator of Flamenco is the Andulsian Guitarist, Paco de Lucia. A child prodigy, with a unwavering self-discipline, the young Paco passed untold hours in his room practicing. When he felt he was ready, Paco was fortunate to get a huge"lucky break. " Accompanying the legendary Flamenco singer Carmen de la Istra. A lucky break that was to last 8 years, and establish Paco as a major force on the Flamenco guitar scene.


Feeding the Flame
Since then, with his own compositions, built on traditional Famenco roots, and his forays into Jazz(most noteably with Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin) Paco continues to innovate and expand the frontiers of Spanish Music.

Now there is a new generation of Spanish guitarists. Who, like Paco, have absorbed and incroporated other influences, while respecting their unique musical heritage. One of the most gifted and inventive of this new breed is Santiago Cortez.


Like Paco, his original compositions are inspired by a wide variety of musical idioms. Jazz, Rock, Pop, Reggae, Soul, Folk and World. Just to name a few!

Santiago's "rainbow" of musical colors is best appreciated on his aptly titled, "Hybrid" CD. Here he displays an amazing variety of styles, tempos, and moods. Which while totally originally, are familiar without being derivative. Also refreshing is the fact that Santiago's impressive technique never overpowers his exquisite gift for melodic expression.


In addition to "Hybrid", Santiago has three other CD's - "Colors of Spain", "Whispers of Spain", and "Amora Musicale."

You can hear them all, and get free download of a complete track from each CD at the link below the Hybrid CD. http://soulmuse21.com/music.html