Search - Manolo Caracol :: Great Masters of Flamenco, Vol. 7

Great master indeed

Paul Magnussen | Campbell, CA USA | 04/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With Antonio Mairena, Manuel Ortega Juárez (1909-73) was the most imitated and respected cantaor of his generation: so much so that flamenco authority Agustín Gómez (whose 45-minute introduction to Sabicas's concert in Córdoba will never be forgotten by anyone who was present) has written a book entitled "El Neoclasicismo Flamenco: El Mairenismo; El Caracolismo". Joint winner of the 1922 Granada competition at the age of twelve, his tempestuous singing, rajo Gypsy voice and total mastery of the cante, together with his generosity, wild lifestyle and parties that used to last several days, made him a legend in his own time: a name like that of Manuel Torre (two of whose cantes he performs here), to be mentioned with awe.



Caracol also recorded more rubbish for popular consumption than any other cantaor (possibly excepting Pepe Marchena), a Jekyll and Hyde indeed. Curiously, an example of this ("since we cannot pass over what occupied such an important place ... in Caracol's career") is contained in this anthology -- the only instance I know of a song being deliberately included because it's bad. Fortunately, it's the last track.



For the rest, the majority is taken from Caracol's magnum opus -- the two-volume "Historia de Cante Flamenco" set from the late 50's with Melchor de Marchena on guitar, some of the greatest Flamenco ever recorded. It's a pity that the remainder does not include Caracol's best work with Niño Ricardo -- "Pañuelo de rayas", for instance, or "Los pasitos que yo doy". Nevertheless, if I had to choose one CD from all those in this series, this would probably be it.



Why is it than when you're dead, they always use pictures of you when you were old, fat and ugly? That's not the way people like to be remembered. Dial Discos had the right idea with the Montoya/Huelva LP -- a nice photo of Manolo when he was young.



Amazon's track listing (and the samples!) are from some other album. Here is the correct listing:



01) Saeta «Toítas las mares tienen penas»

02) Fandangos «Que del nio la cogí»

03) Soleares «Al Señor del Baratillo»

04) Siguiriyas «De Santiago y Santa Ana»

05) Martinetes «En el calabozo»

06) Fandangos «La luz de alba»

07) Siguiriyas «Cuando yo mu muero»

08) Soleares «Tiro piedro por la calle»

09) Soleá

10) Carceleras «Ecos del penal»

11) Bulerías «No quiero na' contigo»

12) Martinetes «Mis ducas no eran na'»

13) Fandangos carceleros «Veneno me dejaste»

14) Malagueña «Se la llevó Dios»

15) Bulerías «Como el santo rey David»

16) Alegrías «Cuando te vaya conmigo»

17) Pregones «Pregones de la uva»

18) Soleares «Tu cuerpo es una custodia»

19) Tientos «Debajito del puente»

20) Zambra «Compañera y soberana»



The total time is 60'28".



P.S. For a list of (and links to) all 20 albums in this series, see my So You'd Like To... Listen to Great Masters of Flamenco Guide."

Awesome Flamenco

Janice M. Williams | Nashville, TN | 07/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Cd is awesome. I don't speak much Spanish but there something about flamenco music that's soulful. Manolo Caracol's voice is amazing...the depth and intensity. Wow. A definite buy. If you're into flamenco music, you won't want to be without it."