I just re-played my copy of "An Evening of Flamenco" by Los Romeros. Four tracks of the Quartet, four tracks of Pepe soloing. I am sure I haven't played this LP in 20 years, or more.

Good Gawd Awmighty.

My ears are still in shock at Pepe's technical prowess. I didn't truly appreciate what I was hearing a generation ago, but tonight I am just stunned. His ability to sustain long scale passages, not just 4- or 8-note bursts, is amazing. The tremolo is probably the fastest I've heard. And the cleanest. Wow.

The four tracks by the Quartet are nothing to sneeze at, either. They are clearly pre-planned and have all the improvised spontaneity of a Space Shuttle launch, but they're still quite an earful. Pepe seems to have a couple of solo passages within these ensemble scores, well it's either he or perhaps Angel. Celin and Celedonio couldn't play that fast even if the recording were sped up to 78rpm.

Not being a true aficionado of El Arte de Flamenco, I haven't a clue if their renderings of bulerias, soleares, granadinas, and so on were even remotely accurate from the Puro perspective. But as a musical experience, I have to say that it completely knocked my metaphorical socks off.

(PS: Hopefully making a post like this of sheer admiration for Los Romeros isn't a social gaffe on the forum, akin to belching aloud at the Coronation of the High King. Wouldn't be the first time I've done that, though. Or the last.)

David

David, Great post and yes the Romero's are also very knowledgeable flamenco players. Pepe plays a Sabicas Bulerias here and it is easy to feel the compas. Very traditional and accurate. I remember in the 70's a lot of controversy about playing both flamenco and classical, especially in the same concert. I remember Darryl Denning did it when he was on the Fine Arts circuit. I did a few small concerts back then where I played half flamenco and the other half Villa Lobos and Tarrega. First half on my Pimental peghead cypress and the classical half on my homemade 74 Brazialian rosewood. My only regret is letting it go for 25 years and losing all the hard work and skills it took to play Villa Lobos.

Here is Sabicas playing a similar version. Notice how Sabicas keeps his right hand compared to Pepe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQspEjoPIik

Here is Grisha playing a Sabicas Bulerias. Grisha is a master at both flamenco and classical. Grisha plays a bit cold, emotionless, and technical for my taste. He is a technical wizard capable of parroting every master both classical and flamenco. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXW7yavq ... re=related

Hola Amigos

Thank you for this.
I have always liked this style of flamenco and I find it perfectly puro. I also like the warm sound of the guitar.
Of course Sabicas does sound different; partly because of the recording.
I think that Sabicas has had a huge influence on guitarists, even if they are not aware of that.
Tomás