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You always say your cante is pure inspiration, that there's no technique or rehearsals. Is that good or bad? Do you think study is necessary?

Right now I do think it's good to stop and take stock of things, so you can go on learning. I think if I put my mind to studying my vocals would be more polished, more perfect. You have to combine good technique with inspiration. I really should start studying, I mean it. I think everybody needs to rehearse and study cante. When you get to a certain age it's essential.

You ripped up a few shirts in your time, right?

(He laughs). Not long ago I ripped up two or three. The other day, at my niece's engagement. The truth is it's really exhilarating. To rip up a shirt the rhythm has to drive you to a point of sublime ecstasy. But before I tore those shirts, Diego del Morao told me he tore his at El Bereber (a venue in Jerez). And there's this gypsy from Barcelona, Juan. His sister begged me not to sing any more because he was gonna clean out the shirtmakers. (He laughs again). I also remember a spotted shirt that Camarón tore up at El Rocío listening to my brother and the rest of us.

Were you always aware of your huge potential as a cantaor, or are you just starting to realize it now?

I'm just starting to see that now. I can see I had a responsibility but I didn't see that before. Sometimes it even bothers me that I have admirers. I'm just an ordinary person. Now I realize I have to take the responsibility and sing well.

Is there any place you said to yourself “today I sang the best I can”?

When I go abroad and when I'm at a private party with friends. That's when you feel really good and you give your all. And I'll be honest, here in Jerez I still never sang well. I want to sing well and not just go back to singing what people want to hear - that's just trash, fooling around. The truth is it makes me angry that cante comes out better away from home than it does on your own stomping ground. Here it's impossible to sing well. Most of the time I'd rather sing what I really feel, even if I don't get a rapturous applause. I know that when I want I can get an ovation. But if I get an ovation singing badly, I'm the one who's dissatisfied. You have to put up with the audience reminding you that Jerez is Jerez. I've seen Terremoto sing here, Agujeta too, and people walking out on them. I don't get it.

	"It’s no good singing trash just to get the audience on its feet"

But you never had any trouble winning audiences over, did you?

True, but only when I sang popular stuff. Now is the time for me to sing 'por derecho' - straight from the heart. It’s no good singing trash just to get the audience on its feet. That's cheating on them and cheating on myself.

What stage of your life are you at?

The climax (he laughs). I never felt so good. If I could stop the clock and the notion of time, I'd sign on the dotted line right now to stay the same forever.

So at this high point, what are your aspirations?

The first is to carry on the same way, showing respect for audiences and offering the best I can so they're happy with what you give them. That's what would make me happiest. On the other hand, I want to finish an album I'm recording. And start work on the next one. It'll take me a few years, but I feel full of energy. If things go on like this, I think I'll make a big impression.

	El Torta

Tell us about the album you’re finishing off...

The album's produced by Rafael Lorente. And there's a guest appearance by Parrilla de Jerez. I recorded a malagueña-granaína with him, a taranto, a seguiriya, a soleá and a bulería dedicated to Rafael de Paula. I also want to put in a tangos number for the old-time gypsies, and a bulería about drugs. I want to make it a positive statement, though. Something that serves to teach people. Mind the step - because I fell down. There'll also be a tango dedicated to Luis de la Pica. Diego del Morao also makes a contribution.

Do you have a name for the album?

The truth is I don't. I thought of ‘Hoy, ayer y todos los tiempos’ (Today, yesterday and throughout time), but I don't know what we'll call it in the end. Probably we'll choose a lyric from one of the songs, like ‘Flores para tu pelo’ (Flowers for your hair), ‘Vente conmigo que te voy a regalar’ (Come with me I'll give you) or ‘Sin ti vuelvo a cantarle a la luna’ (Without you I'll go back to singing to the moon). We'll see.

When will the album be on the shelves?

It ought to already be out. But with the summer season here we couldn't get it finished. Let's hope it comes out at the end of September.

How's the summer shaping up for you?

Over the last month a lot of stuff's come up. And the truth is I'm a little nervous because I think I'm going to have loads of work. That's a big responsibility. I'll have to choose where to go and where not to go. Now I'm off to Malaga, then I'll go to the Forum de Barcelona, then there's the Jueves Flamencos season in Cadiz, the Fiesta de la Bulería in Jerez, and a few other places.

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