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Text: Isaac Rodríguez
Photos: Rafael Manjavacas – Photo gallery
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Concert guitar: Tomatito
Cante: Paco del Pozo, con Antonio Carrión
Dance: Alfonso Losa
Presented by the always entertaining «Gomaespuma»,
another evening of good flamenco got underway at this benefit festival
which has become the hottest thing organized in Madrid.
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Tomatito warms up with bulerías, flirting with jazz, tuning down the
sixth string to pass through the luminous labyrinth of rondeña which leads
into the compás of classic bulerías. Bulerías which at the hands of the
guitarist from Almería are crackling whiplashes. The swift thumbwork,
the well-round rasgueado, the powerful picking and the apparent ease make
this Tomatito's strong point, no one can beat him. Then he relaxes with
taranta, with brilliant touches that make it easy to imagine the appropriate
visual setting. The performance ends with cante accompaniment in a long
set of bulerías and tangos respectively. Tomatito is at ease accompanying,
he enjoys it and makes us enjoy it along with him.
Singer Paco del Pozo was up next, eager to deliver the goods, profound
and powerful. Accompanied by his equally profound guitarist, Antonio Carrión,
Paco offered a recital for the history books and the collective memory.
Malagueñas to open our appetite, and delightful caracoles were the aperitif
for soleá sung as we have seldom heard it, expertly and with tremendous
feeling…'duende'. The Madrid singer said he was really in the mood for
singing, and the audience surrendered unconditionally. Paco, like a brave
bull who grows in the face of challenge, with the expert accompaniment
of Carrión, did a fine job with some very flamenco-sounding tientos tangos.
Wresting with the difficulties, and enjoying the struggle, he ended with
bulerías, standing and without amplification, a generous display that
triggered euphoric applause. This singer, without any doubt, is destined
to become one of the greats – because of his voice and his artistic personality.
To end the night, a dancer who recently won an important prize at Córdoba
and who dances with such strength he regularly breaks shoes: Alfonso Losa.
He interpreted impressive fandangos, and a more serene dance of soleá.
Alfonso has a unique way of moving, of threading embellishments and ending
with dramatic closings. His powerful dancing earned the audience's enthusiasm
and he was sent off with a solid ovation.
Photo
gallery
clic for enlarge photo.
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