The Grand Cordoba theatre was filled to the limit for an homage to one of the greatest singers of the twentieth century: "Fosforito". He won 16 prizes at the first National Contest for Flamenco Arts in Cordoba in 1956 and witnessed with the rest of the auditorium one of the most glorious nights in the history of theatrical Flamenco.

This amazing night in the history of Flamenco opens up with none other that Chocolate, who warms up with malagueñas and invokes an overtaking silence in the rows of spectators. Chacón and Enrique el Mellizo come out along with Antonio Nuñez, bringing with them a precious jabera.

Fosforito with Paco de Lucía

Antonio Carrión's bajañí leads in to a taranto, and Chocolate takes a trip from Almeria to the Union. He makes it to the neighborhood of Triana with a soleá, the Serneta savoring the taste with the echo of Joaquín from the castle of Alcala and with fandangos (half time). But the singer still doesn't want to leave without doing his signature martinete, carcelera and toná chica.

Menese seemes to want to stick with the feeling, so he starts up with tonás -by Francisco- What a level of expertise, madre mía!. There is no room for the ojana, or for the traditional discussions. He scratches his throat singing bamberas and peteneras with lyrics by Francisco Moreno Galván.

The temperature rises and rises, although the best part of the show is still to come with the soleás from Triana and the Gilica from Marchena along with seguiriyas by Manuel Molina, Paco la Luz, Francisco La Perla, el Nitri and el Loco Mateo. Antonio Carrión pays homage to Diego del Gastor, El Niño Ricardo and Sabicas.

The only one left is José Mercé, who is left with no choice but to get serious and sing flamenco.
But José didn't come here to waste time and he makes it clear from the beginning, singing a soleá equal or better than in 1977 when he won the Mercedes la Serneta prize.

He dedicates his seguiriyas to Alejandra - the daughter of a friend from Pozoblanco who is very naughty- and just the ending is worth more than gold.

Moraito, his faithful side-kick prepares his guitar for fandangos, and Mercé pays homage to Gloria and Agujetas, finishing off with bulerías accompanied by Luís de la Pica, Fernando de la Morena and at the back of the stage and without a microphone la Paquera - who sings the words with her pure style, with a few pataítas... but the real thing.

Many nights of Flamneco lay ahead, but only God knows how long we will have to wait to see another one like this homage to Fosforito.

Fernando González-Caballos
Translation: Jessica Lorber