La Macanita / Maria Angeles . Jueves Flamencos – Sevilla

Thursday, February 15th, 2007

Breath of fresh air

Text: Rubén Gutiérrez
Photos: Paco Sánchez

1st Part. Cante: Ángeles Fernández. Guitar: José Quevedo “El Bolita”. Palmas and jaleo: Antonio Torres “El Pescao”, Chícharo, Tío Gregorio.

2nd Part. Cante: Tomasa Guerrero “La Macanita”. Guitar: Manuel Parrilla. Palmas and jaleo: Manuel el Macano, Chícharo, Tío Gregorio.

It’s becoming more difficult all the time to attend a cante recital with just two gypsy voices.Once again the Monte Foundation hit the mark when they programed these two women singers who display a wide range of possibilities, from the sweet clean sound of Ángeles, to the dark sounds of Macanita, two separate and distinct approaches to cante, Almería as opposed to Jerez.

Ángeles Fernández, the girl from Almería, made her professional debut as soloist in the demanding venue on Laraña street.The normal butterflies, added to her natural shyness, did not get in the way of her honey-sweet voice.A voice that comes from deep inside, fine and delicate, but which is capable of navigating the high registers which is where she shows off her power

At just barely 20, although she’s done things in Madrid and Barcelona, perhaps she needs more experience, but there’s plenty of learning in her already. Imagine waking up in the morning and finding Camarón de la Isla working off the last bit of fiesta from the night before, accompanied by your father who happens to be Tomatito.Camarón and Tomatito, Tomatito and Camarón, one and the same, it’s all one.There are many ways of learning, but true life experiences with flamenco provide the most important schooling.

A new way of singing that unites tradición and avant-garde

With this background, Ángeles was living flamenco from childhood, and yet she doesn’t sound like a Camarón follower, on the contrary, she learned his technique, and uses it to work the whole range of her potential.When she wants, her singing is delicate, and once she gets going, without shouting but reaching the high points, she’s capable of standing your hairs on end.

Her melisma and soaring voice, with a certain echo of songs from the evangelist church, make her sound fresh and special. It reminds me of Miguel Poveda’s beginnings, or Arcángel, both of whom have created their own styles which are being adopted by many young people.Ángeles may represent a new way of singing that unites tradition and avant-garde, as reflected in her outfit: a red Spanish shawl, polkadot blouse, youthful skirt and boots.

She interpreted a repertoire that was absolutely original. Beginning with alegrías, she takes inspiration from Estrella Morente, and her voice, added to her beauty, fills every corner of the hall.With cantes from her native province she demonstrates her knowledge of the art of flamenco, and with verses such as the Andalucía national anthem, she shows her intention to respect the past without being trapped by it.

The most festive part of the recital was when she got into soleá por bulería, then tangos and bulerías.With Bolita on guitar you can do a lot of experimenting.This Jerez guitarist is always in demand by young singers lilke Marina Heredia and Argentina.This new school of Jerez-style guitar, influenced by Balao, is yielding some great guitarists like Alfredo Lagos, Juan Diego or Bolita himself.

Despite her shyness, Ángeles sang a bit of Camarón material, “Como el Agua” no less, a complicated challenge that she managed with ease, and in bulerías she looked to Jerez, in particular to Capullo.Few singers in their debut in one of the flamenco capitals of the world would dare to interpret songs from such popular stars, it’s far easier to resort to traditional verses.Ángeles isn’t intimidated when there are some amplification problems and no sound technician is available.She goes on to interpret a set of verses from the Almería neighborhood of Pescadería, and the bulerías dance of another from the Barrio Negro showed this girl knows how to sing for dance.

 All she needs is to mature a bit more, like the wines of Almería that reach their peak ahead of time but eventually offer exquisite flavor.

A determined Macanita who knew her job well and came to carry it out

The second part brought a determined Macanita who knew her job well and came to carry it out.Despite her relative youth, she has plenty of experience, and an extense discography.If you’re born in Jerez and you get Jerez musicians for the accompaniment, success is practically guaranteed.All the same, she seemed a little short on voice.Despite the permanent depth of her sound, it was a bit monotonous.Perhaps the abrupt change in the weather is affecting us all a bit.

The repertoire was pure Jerez with tientos-tangos, soleá, seguiriyas and bulerías, as well as a malagueña that delighted the audience.On stage Macanita demonstrates her traditional background in patios and fiestas, and the improvised parties that take place at baptisms and weddings, a declaration of principles that shows her professional qualities.She managed to win over the audience by not holding anything back, although there was a certain circus air to her little dance, and like Lola Flores, she wrapped it all up with lung power.