Flamenco Pa Tos 9. Pepe Habichuela / Josemi Carmona / La Macanita / Mariangeles / Maria Juncal

FLAMENCO PA TóS 9
Colegio de Médicos de Madrid

24th june, 2008

Text: Pablo San Nicasio
Photos: Rafael Manjavacas – Photo gallery

Pepe Habichuela y Josemi Carmona. “La Macanita” y María Ángeles. María Juncal. Once again a full house, and again, remedies against the heat and stress of modern life at the Flamenco pa’ Tós festival. On its second day this event had artists from four generations, and in general, you could tell who the old hands were.  Experience is the mother of the sciences, no question about it.

The Habichuela family opened.  If on the previous day Juan Carmona put on his work clothes to accompany Pitingo, on Tuesday it was Pepe Habichuela’s turn, along with his son Josemi and the group.

First, it was Josemi Carmona with tangos-rumba, and then a piece from his much-praised record “Sumando”.  Themes based on constant harmonic cycles, and expanded upon.  The percussion of Bandolero and the singing of Picalube were overbearing

But then the boss arrived, Pepe Habichuela.  Maestro of gypsy guitar-playing in the broadest sense.  Soléa, siguiriya and taranta.  Some variations from his recordings with Morente, with his well-seasoned guitar with the wooden peg tuners, constantly pulling out the notes, because his falsetas require not only technique, but good solid sound.

Pepe is still the man, the years go by, and he remains the same.

The fandangos and the “Yerbagüena” made an ending, all of them together, god bless them.  Because in the most straightforrward melodic manner they manage that certain something called…how can I say….essence.

Mari Ángeles came off as somewhat frightened by it all, tied up in knots.  Her youth, and the high expectations, were obstacles she surmounted only partially throughout her performance.  Tomatito’s daughter ended up growing stronger, and finally coming out in the bulerías.

With Macanita came the Jerez sound of another cantaora I needn’t mention.  Three cantes, like her predecessor: malagueña, soleá and bulerías.  Lots of Jerez, especially with Manuel Parrilla on guitar.  “Macana” is powerful, and she showed it.  The level of the recital went up considerably.

And the evening ended, as always, with dance, this tiime with María Juncal.  More art to get high on, María came on with the David Maldonado singing.  Tense and intense, the farruca was absolute, especially in the compás and balance.  No one blinked when her cuadro got going with cantiñas

María returned with soleá.  Incredible.  This dancer knows how to project what’s going on in her head while she dances.

And in this way, we reach the halfway point of a festival that so far, is full steam ahead.

Photo gallery

clic for enlarge photo.

• Pepe Habichuela y Josemi
  Carmona -“La Macanita” y María Ángeles – María
  Juncal.
• Pedro Sierra, artista invitada
  La Tobala – Pitingo y Juan Carmona 'Camborio' – Joaquín Grilo
  – Juan Manuel Mora
• Tomatito Guitarra en concierto.
  Cante: Paco del Pozo con Antonio Carrión Baile: Alfonso Losa
• Guitarra en concierto:
  Daniel Casares – Cante: Antonio Carbonell, con Pepe Montoyita – Baile:
  José Maya Artista invitada: Estrella Morente