JOSEMI CARMONA, ‘LAS PEQUEÑAS COSAS’. PRESENTATION IN MADRID
Third way
S.C./ Flamenco-world.com, May 30th, 2011
Photos: Daniel Muñoz
‘Las pequeñas cosas’. Josemi Carmona: guitara, music. Carlos Carmona: second guitar. El Kiki: cante, voice. Maca: bass. Bandolero: percussion. Iván ‘Melón’ Lewis: piano. Kiki Ferrer: drums. Guest artists: Pepe Habichuela, La Shica, Manuel Carrasco, Jorge Drexler, José Antonio Carmona. Teatro Calderón. Madrid, May 30th, 2011. 8:00 pm
Josemi Carmona with La Shica. Las pequeñas cosas
(Photo Daniel
Muñoz) |
There’s a third way. It’s neither jazz, nor latin. It’s flamenco, but it’s not. But it’s clear what it is: guitar… and music. “I’ve played some fandangos which aren’t fandangos; I don’t want to have problems with those who don’t believe they are”. And it’s thus explained in what Josemi Carmona said, half seriously, half jokingly, after playing ‘Pasando por Huelva’. With that song (but without Dave Holland), he opened the presentation concert of his first solo album at the Teatro Calderón in Madrid. And he did so accompanied by many friends - among them, Tomatito - and some Spanish celebrities.
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Josemi Carmona with Pepe Habichuela. Las pequeñas cosas (Photo Daniel
Muñoz) |
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On that outstanding stage, he faithfully reproduced the contents, shapes and spirit of that disc, which is much more along the lines of ‘Sumando’, which he made side by side with bass player Carles Benavent, than with his period in Ketama. There are clear stakes laid by the Madrilenian musician in distancing himself from the roads most traveled in today’s flamenco guitar and also from the most used mixtures. He’s chosen a way, which is his way. And what prevails along it is music, above all genres, of virtuosities and prominences which don’t go at all with the climatic treatment of his creations. The ambiences, suggestions, sweetness, wrapping of nuances, naturalness of the journeys and clarity of the melodies are what is captivating about that sound of his and his way of displaying it, often watering himself down amidst his band out of consideration for the aim.
Josemi Carmona with Manuel Carrasco. Las pequeñas cosas
(Photo Daniel
Muñoz) |
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Melón on piano, Kiki Ferrer on drums, Maca on bass, Bandolero on percussion and Carlos Carmona on second guitar know how to form a circle around a guitar concept which, although it sings by itself, needs additional voices to generously complement itself. The most relevant one was that of El Kiki, a flexible artist who might just as easily do some “jondo” bulerías as trace the sound of Alex Cuba. And outside of the group, special guests were added such as singer Manuel Carrasco, performing ‘Cuenta conmigo’; the copla singer with mutant esthetics La Shica, with a version of ‘Me quedo contigo’ by Los Chunguitos; cousin José Antonio Carmona, with the lyrics of ‘Dos puñales’ which is played on the recording by Paco de Lucía; Argentinean Jorge Drexler with ‘Un par de días antes de ti’; and the rappers from La Excepción, with neighborhood craftsmanship assembled in ‘De viaje’.
But the collaboration that closed the circle wasn’t vocal, but rather instrumental: that of Pepe Habichuela, his father (in flesh and blood, and the musical one of many other “children”). And he gave him the gift of a granaína, the synthesis and pillar of a type of toque which has taught to have, at the same time, roots and wings. An embrace with guitars in hand dramatized the affection and mutual admiration between both musicians. And it spread out to the entire Habichuela family in a grand finale which was topped off by uncle Juan Habichuela, not playing… but rather dancing.
Josemi Carmona with Los Habichuela, grand finale. Las pequeñas cosas (Photo Daniel
Muñoz) |
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