A new generation of cante flamenco
Larry L. Looney | Austin, Texas USA | 07/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Flamenco is a genre whose roots and traditions run deep - experimentation is looked upon with some degree of suspicion by old-timers (as in any artistic pursuit). Miguel Poveda has created a body of work over the past 15 years or so that is strong testament to the fact that among the younger cantaores there are individual artists who feel a strong respect for and connection to the traditions that have made flamenco live and breathe. He is not above crossing the genre frontiers - his 2005 release Desglaç is a great example of how this can be done with taste and respect - but for the most part, his albums are documents of pure cante flamenco, in the spirit of the great voices who have come before him. His heart and soul pour into his music - his love for his mentors, both direct and in spirit, is blindingly apparent. On one track, the listener is treated to a guest performance by the great Diego Carrasco - the wonderful bulería `Alfileres de colores', co-written by Carrasco and Pedro Rivera.
TIERRA DE CALMA was the first CD I acquired by Miguel - it's still my favorite. His incredible voice is mostly accompanied only by the amazing guitars of Juan Carlos Romero (Romero's CD Azulejo is a also great recording); percussive touches added by a small number of friends; and David Peña `Dorantes' plays piano on one track. The arrangements therefore remain uncluttered, allowing Miguel's voice, and the interplay and communication between him and Romero to take center stage - the results are breathtaking.
True flamenco singing can take some first-time listeners by surprise. It's extremely emotional, coming from the deepest part of the soul of the cantaor. They work hard to get the feelings and meaning of the music they hear inside out into the air and into the hearts of their listeners. This is not ballad singing by any means, although in some cases the lyrics can express things that are incredibly beautiful and tender. On some tunes, Poveda sounds as if he's about to spontaneously combust, on others he caresses the melody as if he were holding the heart of a lover in his hands. It's amazing stuff.
Anyone who is under the impression that true flamenco is dying off with the older performers needs to listen to Miguel Poveda - and this album is a great place to start - it's alive and well. Another great example is the fine band Son de la Frontera (check out the samples on Amazon's site for their first album, Son de la Frontera as well as Cal).
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Track Listings (10) - Disc #1