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| FLAMENCO CARAVAN
RODRIGO AND REMEDIOS FLORES
THE ART OF FLAMENCO:
Flamenco is the music of Andalucia, the region of Southern Spain encompassing Cadiz, Sevilla, Malaga, Granada, Huelva, Cordoba, Murcia, Jaen and Almeria. Like the music, song, heel-stamping, and handclapping |
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 | Flamenco CaravanNot Rated
Released: 1995 |
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Click on one of the albums below for more info.
| | Flamenco CaravanNot Rated
Released: 1995
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| FLAMENCO CARAVAN
RODRIGO AND REMEDIOS FLORES
THE ART OF FLAMENCO:
Flamenco is the music of Andalucia, the region of Southern Spain encompassing Cadiz, Sevilla, Malaga, Granada, Huelva, Cordoba, Murcia, Jaen and Almeria. Like the music, song, heel-stamping, and handclapping that drive it, flamenco’s roots are exotic and mysterious. Shaped by the history of the Iberian Peninsula, flamenco has many influences, the strongest of which lie in Middle Eastern music. The music uses Arab tonal scales (without quarter tones) absorbed during the seven centuries Moorish rule and the guitar work often bares the influence of the oud, the ancient Arab stringed instrument. And while flamenco singing borrows from Jewish, Gregorian and Eastern European styles, the mid-east flavor is also clearly evident. As for the dancing, the unique heelwork, finger snapping (pitos) and handclapping come from far-flung sources, particularly Gypsy and Indian.
Although it is a folk music, flamenco has evolved into one of the most complex musical traditions in the world. Musicians must master over fifty forms of song, from fandangos to bulerias to romeras to rumbas. Flamenco also has over forty forms of dance and guitar styles. Because improvisation is the goal of every flamenco artist, players must develop an easy fluency with the foundations of each style in order for the music to truly fly as the guitarist follows the lead of the dancer or singer.
THE ARTISTS:
RODRIGO:
Rodrigo’s phenomenal guitar technique, particularly his high speed “legatos” (picking with the left hand), and “picado” (thumb picking), has garnered acclaim from both students of flamenco and professional guitarists. Highlights of his long and illustrious career include recording at a young age with Manuel Agujetas, the legendary flamenco singer from Jerezat, his United Stats debut at Carnegie Recital Hall and his European debut at Wigmore Hall in London. He has recorded both in Spain and the United States and recently finished a fiery album with renowned dancer Fernanda Romero. A popular performer throughout Andalucia in Southern Spain, he has earned a place in the pantheon of flamenco, and was saluted in the illustrated Dictionary and Encyclopedia of Flamenco.
“The playing had immediacy and a high level of technical sophistication…highly personal and spontaneous.”
Theodore W. Libbey Jr., The New York Times
REMEDIOS FLORES:
Remedios Flores, a Gypsy from Ronda, is the most widely sold female flamenco vocalist in the United States, Canada and England. She brings a distinctive fervor and passion to her music and her emotional singing has been praised for carrying “the unmistakable stamp” of flamenco’s gypsy origins. As a composer of flamenco “letras” (lyrics), her songs are filled with romance and passion. Remedios has won a number of Federal grants. She currently resides in San Diego and Los Angeles, where she promotes the flamenco tradition, performing regularly throughout the city’s school districts.
“Flores’ songs erupted with bare emotions unmitigated by any civilizing influences…demonstrating the unmistakable stamp of this music’s Gypsy origins.
Kenneth Herman, Los Angeles Times
THE DUET:
Internationally renowned concert and recording artists Remedios Flores and Rodrigo are an enduring flamenco duet from the mountain city of Ronda in the Spanish province of Malaga in Andalucia. The husband-and-wife team, together for over twenty years, has become ambassadors of the passionate, exotic world of flamenco. In 1991 they were prize-winners in the Billboard Song Contest (International Category) for their song “Nos Volvemos a Querer.” They have toured extensively as a duo with their group, “La Familia Flores,” featuring the gypsy-styled flute of Raquel Flores and the inspired guitars of Alberto and Daniel de Malaga.
The duo regularly holds workshops and recitals as part of its aims to convey the emotional, technical, regional and cultural aspects of flamenco. Remedios and Rodrigo recently provided their expertise for the widely praised National Geographic special, “The Soul of Spain.” They can also be seen regularly at the “El Cid” Tablao Flamenco in Hollywood.
“Thank you very much for your (Rodrigo and Remedios) assistance on our National Geographic special, “The Soul of Spain”…the program has been widely praised by critics and viewers…”
Rob Hughs, National Geographic Society and WQET – Pittsburgh.
TRACKS:
1. Te Voy a Dejar - 4:31
(Rodgrigo and Remedios Flores) (P) 1986 Sounds-Vision Music
This is the first of several beautiful rumbas on this album. Rumbas are very lively, festive and foot tapping. Remedios demonstrates her excellent voice control while Rodrigo plays in “SOL” (G major), which is very unusual for the flamenco player.
2. Caravana de Los 4- 5:28
(Caravan of The Gypsy 4: Rodrigo, Remedios Flores, Luana Moreno, Jeff Segal, Dave Millard). (P) 1989 Sounds-Vision Music, BMI.
This song was originally written in 1980 as an acoustical guitar piece. This more modern version has additional support from congas, flute, palmas, heelwork and other percussion. Rodrigo’s jam creates a musical tension that leaves the listener on the edge of one’s seat.
3. Romeras de los 4 Gitanos - 5:46
(The Gypsy 4: Rodrigo, Remedios Flores, Angelita Agujetas, Luana Moreno). (P) 1988 Sounds-Vision Music, BMI.
Romeras is a form of the popular flamenco song. The Alegrias is a Gypsy standard dance. Here The Gypsy 4 has combined the two, creating a fiery explosion of heelwork and vocal and guitar prowess.
4. Fandangos Rotenos - 4:19
(Rodrigo and Angelita Agujetas) (P) 1988 Sounds-Vision Music, BMI.
Almost every region of Andalucia has its style of fandango. Some are with a definite beat or “compass.” Others, like this selection, are free without rhythm. These types of fandangos are a form of strongly sung poetry with dark themes. Angelita Agujetas sings in her family’s style.
5. Brisas Analuzas - 3:29
(Solo: Rodrigo) (P) 1986 Sounds-Vision Music, BMI.
Literally meaning Andalusian winds, this original piece by Rodrigo is Moorish in nature and has a softer melodic quality than the more traditional and forceful flamenco style.
6. Malaguea Salerosa - 4:12
(Rodrigo and Remedios Flores) (P) 1989 Sounds-Vision Music, BMI.
This popular Mexican song is done here in a combination rumba-tango.
7. Alegrias Variadas - 3:47
(Rodrigo and Angelita Agujetas) (P) BMI.
A duet by Rodrigo and Angelita Agujetas.
8. Buleras - 7:18
(Rodrigo and Remedios Flores) (P) 1989 Sounds-Vision Music, BMI.
This illusive gypsy song style and dance requires discipline and precision to capture its subtle counter-point. Here Remedios show why Gypsies call the Bulerias their own, interpreting this tricky rhythm with dexterity and invention.
9. Soleares Pa Mi Abuelo - 4:57
(The Gypsy 4: Rodrigo, Remedios Flores, Angelita Agujetas, Luana Moreno). (P) 1989 Sounds-Vision Music, BMI.
Soleares, a tricky style with a twelve beat comas, originates from the town of Ronda This one is danced by Luana Moreno and dedicated to her grandfather. Rodrigo plays in La (A major) and creates different dance accompaniments, while Remedios furnishes her own lyrics.
10. Czardas (Hungarian Gypsy Folk-Song) - 3:29
(Solo: Rodrigo) (P) 1985 Sounds-Vision Music, BMI.
This beautiful, romantic Hungarian song is usually done by orchestras or gypsy troupes with violins and guitars. One well-known version by the late Sabicas used multi-tracking. This take, however, uses only one guitar. The result challenges our ears.
11. Bulerias de la Nina Mora - 4:12
(The Gypsy 4: Rodrigo, Remedios Flores, Angelita Agujetas, Luana Moreno). (P) 1988 Sounds-Vision Music, BMI.
The bulerias is the fastest of all flamenco. This bulerias (The Bularias of the Little Moorish Girl) features the rapid fire palmas of Remedios and dancer Luana Moreno.
12. Abanico de Colores - 6:34
(The Gypsy 4: Rodrigo, Remedios Flores, Angelita Agujetas, Luana Moreno, Dave Millard). (P) 1989 Sounds-Vision Music, BMI.
Stretching the parameters of flamenco, this dance piece merges the main parts of the Alegrias dance with flute and jazz-tinged guitar work. Remedios wails the lyrics to her poem, “Fan of Colors.”
13. Tangos Flamencos - 4:44
(Rodrigo and Remedios Flores) (P) 1985 Sounds-Vision Music, BMI
OTHER ARTISTS:
Angelita Agujetas, Vocals and palmas (handclapping)
Luana Moreno, Flamenco dance and palmas (handclapping)
Dave Millard, Flute
Jeff Segal, Drums and percussion
Compilation copyright 1995 Lyrichord Discs, Inc.
Mastered at California Magnetic, San Diego, CA.
This Cd is dedicated to Remedios Flores’ Mother, Josepha (Pepa), without whose support and love, the artistry on these songs could not have been developed.
Cover and back design, Duy Ngo
Mastering, DSW Digital Mastering Studios, NYC. |
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