3º Festival Suma Flamenca 2008. Tomatito. Chinchón – Madrid

3 FESTIVAL SUMA FLAMENCA
de la Comunidad de Madrid

Text: Pablo San Nicasio
Photos: Rafael Manjavacas

A little more tomato sauce please….

Almería guitarist “Tomatito” came to Suma Flamenca 2008 by way of Chinchón.  The main square of the lovely city mounted its bullring and put up a stage to receive the artist.

And there was plenty of good guitar-playing, doled out in equal parts with cante and dance.

“Camaroneando” is the name of the show of the man from the La Chanca neighborhood, and we think the title refers to the role played by the guitarist, who starts out as the main star, and turns into accompanist in the second half.  In other words, Tomatito ends up remembering his role during the Camarón years.

And of course, the person who goes to see over an hour of guitar, might get bored towards the end, because the main figure can hardly be seen with all the clapping, dancing and shouting.

José began with alegrias, with “La Ardila”.  A solid number with his “Guitarra Gitana” which is illustrated with Joselito Romero’s dancing.  He continued with taranta, alone, and that’s when the lonliness ended.  His level remained high throughout the following number, bulerías with variations from his last three solo records.

It was at that point, as we said, that the recital gave way to a group fiesta where the two singers (Morenito de Íllora, sober and measured, was noteworthy), and Joselito Romero’s dancing took over the entire situation.

Furthermore, the flamenco that shook the plaza was always rhythmic.  He didn’t move away from bulerías, soleá por bulerías and tangos.  Hackneyed verses and lots of dramatic calls for the crowd of diehard Tomatito fans.

And all things considered, with this simplification of the repertoire and the brief solo stint, to a certain point it was understandable given the nature of the event.  Conceived for a numerous crowd dying for compás, gypsiness and party.  It was not a moment for shirt-ripping.  Or was it?

Be that as it may, the cocktail was a little on the sweet side, and the tomato sauce wasn’t what gave the most flavor to the mix.  Despite being the most flavorful element.

Special SUMA FLAMENCA 2008. Program, photos, videos, …