THE MONEO CLAN. DYNASTIES OF JEREZ CANTE (III). SPECIAL FEATURE

Los Moneo de La Plazuela

Carlos Sánchez. Jerez, February 2005

Over the course of history, Jerez has established itself as a inexhaustible fountain of great cantaores. Many families in Jerez drink from the fountain, facilitating the perpetuation, consolidation and continual ascent of flamenco. Besides the dense family tree of the Sordera family and the unique Agujetas clan, we must add a family which is inseparable from their barrio de La Plazuela: los Moneo. A splendid line of cantaores, descended from the dynasty of Los Pacote, whose most recent patriarchs were Tío Pacote, Tío Jacinto and Luis de Pacote; and whose current ambassadors are Manuel Moneo, El Torta and Luis Moneo.

	El Torta (Foto: Daniel Muñoz)

According to research by Martín Barbadillo, at the beginning of the 19th century the Moneo family lived on the Cadiz coastline in Puerto de Santa María, a town which was also home to the Agujetas clan. And there they stayed until the latter part of the century. There are records that in 1869 Manuel Moneo Monge was born in calle Acebuche, number 11, in Jerez. He was a blacksmith by trade, and married María Navarro Morón. Her surnames suggest she may have been the sister of Juana, wife of Diego de los Santos Boneo (great grandfather of Agujetas), although no official record of this relationship has been found. The Moneo family settled permanently in the heart of La Plazuela neighborhood thereafter.

The marriage between Luis Moneo Orellana and Filomena Lara Carpio was especially important, furthering Jerez cante as it entwined the Moneo family with the Lara dynasty. This family, with links to the old slaughterhouse in Jerez, was renowned for its passion for flamenco vocals and dance. But it wasn’t until the second half of the 20th century that flamenco artists started to emerge from the household. Francisco Lara Carpio, Filomena's brother, better known as Luis de Pacote, was one of the first cantaores the family produced, followed by his son, Luis Lara. In addition, the surname Carpio reveals that the Moneo family was now linked to the Mijitas clan, who in turn were related to the Agujetas dynasty via Domingo de los Santos Gallardo, better known as Domingo Rubichi.

Returning to the Moneo family tree, the union between Luis Moneo Orellana and Filomena Lara Carpio produced one of the most significant lines of Jerez cantaores around today, as three of their children are established artists on the flamenco scene: Manuel Moneo, El Torta and Luis Moneo.

Manuel Moneo Lara, patriarch of the dynasty, is a well-known champion of the cause of orthodox, traditional cante. His approach carries reminders of the tones his ancestors used, marking every line clearly. He's best known for his remarkable soleá 'al golpe' and seguiriya, without forgetting the obligatory upbeat 'festero' style of his homeland, the bulería. Most comfortable in a close-knit small group formation, he is capable of reaching dizzy heights, his vocals considered part of the highest echelons of the cante hierarchy. In fact, Camarón de la Isla himself ripped his shirt open listening to Manuel. A particularly outstanding recording is ‘Jerez. Fiesta y Cante Jondo’ (Auvidis Ethnic, 1991), a recording project featuring cantaores Antonio Malena, Mijita Hijo, El Barullo, Tío Chico Pacote, El Torta and Manuel Moneo; with Moraíto Chico and Niño Jero on guitar. A perfect blend of Jerez sounds: the echoes of La Plazuela with the unmistakable strings of the barrio de Santiago, a recording featuring more than thirty minutes of outstanding 'fiesta por bulerías'.

But if there's one recording that faithfully portrays Manuel Moneo's talents more than any other, it has to be the Carlos Saura film ‘Flamenco’. A striking close-up with the camera captures him performing side-by-side with Agujetas 'por martinetes'. Enough to send a shiver down your spine. As well as the DVD, the performances are available on the movie's original soundtrack CD.

Manuel Moneo y Agujetas (Frame del DVD 'Flamenco')

And with a view to the future, Manuel Moneo has ensured that flamenco will continue to ring out around La Plazuela. His children are also artists. Macarena, Rocío and Manuel el Barullo are cantaores, while Juan is a guitarist.

As well as the patriarch, there's his brother Juan Moneo Lara ‘El Torta’, capable of offering moments of true genius with an intensely expressive form of vocals. His ability to reach audiences is formidable. His lyrics reflect his hardships, his experiences. “Solo, siempre voy solo (Alone, I always go alone)/ debo de ser un solitario (I must be a loner)/ entre quebrantos y penas (among grief and suffering)/ entre sueños y desengaños (among dreams and disappointments).” He sings of life, of love and of love lost, of a society which eats away at him. “En mi barrio conocí a una mala compañera (In my neighborhood I found myself an evil girlfriend)/ que se llamaba heroína (whose name was heroin)/ y no puedo apartarme de ella (and I can't shake her off).” He speaks priceless truths, from the bottom of his heart: “Todo el mundo va a su aire sin pensar en los demás (Everybody does their own thing without sparing a thought for others)/ tan sólo impera el dinero y no se paran a pensar (money is the only ruler and they don't stop to think)/ que el valor de los humanos está en la forma de actuar (that human worth is seen in the way we act).” And all that with a firm grasp of all the Jerez styles.

Luis Moneo Lara completes this amazing dynasty of cantaores. Another excellent vocalist, whose calm, collected approach is expressed through the depths of the seguiriya. His live performances amply demonstrate this, with companies like that of bailaora María del Mar Moreno, or ‘Los cuatro elementos’. Although he currently dedicates himself entirely to cante flamenco, he is also a fine guitarist. In fact, he accompanied his brother El Torta on numerous occasions. Now he leaves that task to his son, Juan Manuel Moneo, a young guitarist who works regularly with Antonio el Pipa's company and with his own uncle. Luis Moneo has no solo recordings on the market, but he makes an important contribution on ‘Luminaria’ by Jerez-born guitarist Juan Diego.

Luis Moneo with María del Mar Moreno and Domingo Rubichi
(Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

Manuel, Juan and Luis. Three brothers, three cantaores, three artists. La Plazuela de los Moneo.

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