Search - Paco Pena :: Flamenco

Youth, energy and rhythm

Paul Magnussen | Campbell, CA USA | 02/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although this bears the title of the artist's second album* (itself over thirty years old), it is in fact (after the manner of record companies) a compilation from the first two. However, in apparent violation of industry standards, it's a pretty intelligent selection: if I had a quid for every time some of these tracks have been on my turntable (particularly the danza mora "Moruna", the rumba "La Lola", the bulerías and the zapateado), it would keep me in beer for a long time to come. The only thing that raises the eyebrow is the inclusion of two soleares and two bulerías (which even have some falsetas in common). These could have been advantageously replaced by (for example) the "Farruca Canastera" and the beautiful tanguillo, "La vieja rica de Cádiz". The zapateado is so different from the Sabicas piece (traditional vs. quasi-classical) as not to involve any duplication.



The last-named is the weakest interpretation on the album (although even here many will find nothing to fault). But if it suffers by comparison with that of the composer (now available on video), it is not surprising. The section in the middle is perhaps unduly slow.



For the rest, the vitality and freshness remain remarkable; and if the protagonist's main influences (Ricardo and Sabicas -- the former particularly evident in the bulerías) are plain, he certainly has plenty to offer on his own account, even at this early date. It is a truism, not just in music but in art generally, that although on balance one may prefer the subtlety, depth etc. etc. of maturity, the drive and energy of youth have a charm of their own; and in the present instance (as they say in Parliament) such is the case.



The sound quality is slightly larger than life, but not unpleasantly so rather, the reverse -- and is crystal clear, having been excellently remastered by (it says here) one Gert van Hoeyen.



The total time is just over fifty minutes.



* Not counting the one of Latin American music with Los Maracuchos."