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Flamenco |
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When people think of Spain and especially Andalusia, they automatically also think of flamenco music. Spanish guitars, castanets and clapping hands, husky voices that almost sound Arabic, traditional clothing, rhythmically stamping feet (called ‘taconeo’) and a lot of raw, tragic passion. These are the right ingredients for real flamenco! Although the Spanish often are not overly fond of the economically poor gypsy population (called ‘gitanos’), their music really melted into Spain’s musical heritage. The gypsies – who are originally from India and have been wandering the globe for centuries – settled in Spain around 1500 and brought their music with them. The mixture with Spanish, Moorish and Jewish influences finally resulted in today’s Flamenco.
Real Spanish flamenco lovers probably won’t refer to the tourists flamenco shows as being ‘the real thing’. The pure flamenco mostly occurs spontaneously at late hours in smoky dark bars in a small old alley in Seville, Jerez de la Frontera or Granada. Not always in traditional clothing or completely in tune, but always with great pride and passion. If you’re not looking for it, you probably won’t run into these kinds of gatherings. But still flamenco can be heard everywhere and in all kinds of variations. You hear it on the radio and it has found its way into all kinds of pop music, even into Spanish rap and techno.
The Spanish really see flamenco as an art in which they can express all their emotions, or even as a way of life. Flamenco has the same intensity as the Portuguese Fado music which is also often tragic, mostly referring to hard times in life and - of course - broken hearts. The uplifting situation of the right atmosphere and interaction with the audience they call a ‘duende’. There are all kinds of forms (palos) – like the expressive ‘bulleria’ – and the oldest form is the capella ‘cante hondo’ (deep song). Another popular traditional Spanish music style and dance are the ‘Sevillanas’. It looks a little like flamenco, but Sevillanas are happier. When you go to a feria or other kind of celebration you’ll see people dancing and women moving their hands in the air elegantly. Sevillanas have a fixed patern of 4 ‘coplas’ that are divided in 3 parts, which always makes it easy to dance to ,even if you don’t know the music. You mostly see the women in their traditional clothing dancing together or in groups.
Some famous flamenco artists: Jose Merce, El Camaron de la Isla, Paco de Lucia, Paco Pena, La Paquera de Jerez & Tomatito and the Gypsy Kings (who by the way are from France).
Spanish music
• Bar El Molino (Calle Jose Cruz), starts around 23:00 every night and at 00:00 the lights go off and they sing to the statue of Virgen Mary.
• Restaurant El Colono (Calle Granada 62)
Flamenco in Granada
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