Search - Jose Merce :: Del Amanecer

Another superb pairing of singer and guitarist

L. K. Coleman | New Orleans, LA USA | 05/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"José Mercé is probably the most popular male flamenco singer in Spain today, particularly since the death of the immensely popular and now legendary Camarón de la Isla. And deservedly so: His voice has that edgy "rajo" (raspy, scratchy) prized in flamenco, particularly for the gypsy-style of singing; he is a completely formed singer with a thorough knowledge of all the cantes; his "palo" or "compás" (rhythm, timing) is always flawless; and he has that ability, when he's really "on," to give his audience that other-worldly, goose-flesh sensation. You can see him in Carlos Saura's "Blood Wedding," the first movie in Saura's flamenco trilogy. (The other two are "Carmen" and "Amor Brujo.")This was an extremely popular album in Spain, Mercé's best and most commercially successful. But that's for a very good reason: It's not for nothing that his accompanist, Vicente Amigo, is given prominent billing on the album's cover. Vicente both composed and helped produce the album, and it's his superb playing that gives this album its sparkling quality from beginning to end. (See my review of Remedios Amaya's "Me Voy Contigo" for more notes on Vicente Amigo.) This album is another example of the importance of pairing the right singer with the right guitarist(s). Flamenco is a "team sport," and invariably, the combination of singer and guitarist will either enhance or diminish the performance of both. The same holds true when you add dancers to the mix. For example, if you can ever find them, compare the legendary dancer, Carmen Amaya's, first albums with her father and brothers accompanying her, with the albums in her prime with Sabicas as lead guitarist, another legendary figure. The difference is night and day. But then compare Sabicas' accompaniment to Carmen's last album, "Furia" (another very difficult to find recording), made within a year or so before her death, where Carmen's lead guitarist is her young cousin, Juan Maya "El Marote." While Sabicas' flawless technique ran circles around Carmen's father and brothers, greatly enhancing the performance, his mostly light and delicate playing was overpowered by Carmen's incredible footwork. Juan Maya was the first and only guitarist of Carmen's career whose powerful style could match Carmen's footwork. If you can find "Furia," catch the opening bulería. Neither before nor since has there been a more powerful, blow-you-away, danced bulería. (Juan Maya was also Antonio Gades' lead guitarist for many years, and the two other guitarists who could match his power were none other than his friends and fellow Granadan's, Juan Carmona "Habichuela" (see "De la Zambra al Duende," a great CD available from Amazon) and Pepe Carmona "Habichuela" ("A Mandeli" and "Habichuela en Rama," also available from Amazon). Juan and Pepe Carmona are the fathers of two of the three members of "Ketama" whose incredibly fine "aflamencada" flamenco-jazz fusion albums are also available from Amazon. As you can see, flamenco is mostly a large, extended family.)But enough digression. If you have a taste for flamenco singing, and also like the modern school which continues to update this unique art, this is a "must have" album."

If you like flamenco, you cannot miss this one

Josemaria | Fresno, California United States | 10/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From Spain. I heard Jose Merce singing from a few feets in a couple of times. This CD is one of his best performances in his life. Every person who likes flamenco has to have his one. From the whole music that I have this one is probably the one that I most heard."

A wonderful Spanish flamenco album

Joshua Taub | Paris, France | 08/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you could own only one contemporary flamenco album, this should be the one. Put it in your CD player, close your eyes, and feel yourself transported to Andalucia, to Seville, you can almost picture the flamenco dancers performing as you clap your hands, you can hear the gypsy guitar players... I discovered Merce on my last visit to Madrid and believe that this is one of the best flamenco albums ever. A great mixture of latin passion, traditional flamenco guitare sounds, and a modern feel as well. This is the real thing from Southern Spain, where Flamenco was invented. Great for parties, for creating atmosphere, even for learning Spanish, but perfect just for listening and letting the CD take you to Spain."