That he was king of the rumba, is beyond question. And that his special way of interpreting songs and bringing them to life made him known as a psychodelic Spanish dandy in the nineteen-seventies. His stylized image was at home in a diversity of worlds. He traveled high roads and low, thanks to ubuquitous casette tapes played to death by more than one truck-driver. It wasn’t unusual to find him performing at such different places as girlie bars or the best tablaos of the era known as the Golden Age of flamenco, and he even made it to the legendary Circo Price.
We’re talking about Miguel Vargas, that gypsy from Utrera who,
thanks to his magnificent interpretation of a song by Italian composer
Renato Carosone, earned the nickname of “Bambino”.
This prolific artist, a truly inspired singer, recorded over 500 songs.
From Mexican rancheras to boleros to Latin hits. His ability to turn songs
by popular singers of his time such as Raphael or Camilo Sesto into flamenco,
was unmatched.
Now, under the title “Bambino por ti y por Nosotros” [‘Bambino
for you and for us’] the multinational BMG has managed to bring
together an astonishing group of performers to pay tribute to the “king
of the rumba” in an original and carefully crafted digipack format.
The first of the two CDs contains a selection of 20 original versions
of the most famous songs of the singer from Utrera. The second CD features
a variety of singers and groups who interpret, each with their own personal
style, the most popular themes of this mythical artist. From songs by
groups such as Los Planetas or Los Elefantes, to the most hip-hop versions
such as that of “Dos Gardenias” interpreted by Las Niñas.
Noteworthy is the original version of the rumba “Payaso”
done to a rock rhythm by Antonio Orozco, and the well-known “Corazon
loco” by the revolutionary duo of Bebo and Cigala, or the previously
unrecorded ranchera interpreted by Nacho Vegas. Without a doubt this is
a recording that speaks for itself, a long shot that has to be applauded
and which leaves no doubt about who this astonishing performer was, and
how much he inspired today’s singers.
