David de Jacoba en concierto. Sala Caracol – Madrid

Text: Pablo San Nicasio
Photos & video: Rafael Manjavacas

Cante: David de Jacoba. Guitarra: Carlos de Jacoba. Guitarra y percusión: Lucky Losada. Palmas y baile: Isaac de los Reyes. Palmas: Luis y David Paniagua.

Video fragment of performance 2

POWER WITH KNOWLEDGE

He’s one of the best young hopefuls of gypsy singing.  David de Jacoba set his mind to it and, getting past the great existential dilemma that runs through the minds of people starting out, he seems to have it all sorted out and claims he’s here to sing flamenco, the kind everyone can recognize.

And he’s on the way, making his first recording, “Jacobeo”, (that thing about peace and a family line) and getting the jump on the competition.

Among those in attendance at the “Caracol” (not the best place to debut a repertoire of orthodox cante), many familiar faces of Madrid flamenco could be seen, from writers and activists to the beautiful, the very beautiful and even some sports figures.  Everyone seeking to be with the gypsy singer of the moment.  A young man from Motril, province of Granada, who tours with Paco de Lucía and has what it takes to live comfortably off his singing.

Incredible vocal quality that surges forth at the same time it’s controlled.  Like the ad says, power with restraint and knowledge, in other words, qualities that make David de Jacoba more than just a flash in the pan.

He has the capacity, the love for flamenco, he’s a sweetheart of a person, endorsed by important people and, though still young, has interesting experiences under his belt and has heard and lived with flamencos who know what’s what, you can be sure of that.

He said it just a few days ago, and last night he made good on his words.  David began and ended without musical accompaniment, with a fabulous sound that needed no guitar and was self-sufficient without being flashy.  He showed his good sense of compás in varied forms, tangos, alegrías and bulerías.  But where he really rose to the occasion was in the one on one with a surprisingly luminous aesthetic, with dance included.  In soleá, also in taranta, reminiscent of Camarón, and especially in the siguiriya.-

The year 2011 quickly drawing to a close, has been the year for siguiriyas in Madrid.  What great singing!  Let’s hope it’s not just because of the economic problems.  It’s a flamenco form on the rise, and David de Jacoba is one of its best interpreters, which is good news.

From beginning to end, and with the superb guitar of his brother, paying tribute via music to Paco de Lucía, David was truly great, and gave everything he had.

A singer with a dark thick sound, David Maldonado Santiago isn’t looking to take the money and run, he’s humble and listens to classic cante, remembering those interpreters as well as current ones.  This is a path that will serve him well when push comes to shove and he makes a break for the professional upper echelons of his generation.