SPECIAL FEATURE. CHARTS: TOP 10 FLAMENCO-WORLD.COM 2008
Flamencos take the reins
Flamenco-world.com, January 2009
2008 clears up any uncertainty
about the evolution of flamenco records. Not only débuting
artists but also renowned veterans are opting for alternative
routes to the multinationals, which are giving a smaller
and smaller role to the genre. Some opt for independent
labels, while others choose self-publishing. And the public
is backing these initiatives which, more than ever, need
their support. Camarón aside, number one with ‘Reencuentro’,
Flamenco-world.com’s TOP 10 2008 reflects this new
trend, captured in début albums by young talents
such as Encarna Anillo, Jesús Torres, David Palomar
and Cano. And also in albums by acclaimed cantaores like
Enrique Morente, Carmen Linares and El Pele. In the TOP
DVD charts, Carlos Saura triumphs with re-releases of
‘Sevillanas’ and ‘Flamenco’, and
guitar and baile courses stand out, as well as live shows
such as the ones by Farruquito and José Antonio
Rodríguez. Books are not used so much for reading
literature as for reading music. Fundamental guitar sheet
music is a hit such as that of Vicente Amigo, Tomatito
and Paco de Lucía; and also successful are books
focusing on historic artists like Antonio Gades and Manolo
Caracol, as well as the poetry collection ‘Cante
hondo’ by Manuel Machado. Flamenco overcomes crises,
pirates and fortune hunters, claiming its vitality and
its independence as music.
CD. TOP 10 FLAMENCO-WORLD.COM
2008
Tomatito puts it well: “Camarón
sings better and better every day”. If not, how
was he going to be heading up Flamenco-world.com’s
sales charts in 2008, that is to say, fifteen years after
leaving this world? He has done so with ‘Reencuentro’,
a special box set with nine previously-unreleased tracks,
a documentary, a T-shirt, booklet and even photos. By
the way, only a few units remain of this limited edition.
Besides the indisputable number one,
2008 has been a year featuring two aspects. On the one
hand, the strength of cante. And on the other, the taking
of positions by independent publishing versus the great
industry. A trend which has even been joined by Carmen
Linares, who with her own label ‘Salobre’,
has released - with an exquisite album-book presentation
- the tribute to poet Juan Ramón Jiménez
entitled ‘Raíces y alas’ (9), composed
by Juan Carlos Romero.
The releases by two other cante veterans
rising to this list of top hits are also independent:
‘Pablo de Málaga’ (4) by Enrique Morente,
an experimental record based on texts by Picasso; and
‘8 guitarras... y una piano’ (7) by El Pele,
a traditional-style album which he is accompanied on by
first-rate guitarists (Moraíto, José Antonio
Rodríguez, Daniel Méndez...) and, for the
zambra, by Dorantes on piano.
But with regards to the vitality of the
genre, the most important thing about the year might have
been the warm welcome of albums recorded by musicians
making their début. That has been the case of the
first two launches of the label - associated with this
company - Flamenco World Music: ‘Barcas de plata’
(2) by Cádiz-born cantaora Encarna Anillo, an album
whose executive producer is Miguel Poveda; and ‘Viento
del Norte’ (3) by guitarist Jesús Torres,
fruit of the adaptation of his scores for flamenco dancing.
In view of the lack of interest shown
by the record multinationals in recent years for new flamenco
talents, they themselves are the ones taking the reins
of their career. In 2008, that is the route opted for
by Cádiz-born cantaor David Palomar, who makes
his solo début with ‘Trimilenaria’
(5); and guitarist Juan Antonio Suárez, who entitles
his first album with his stage name, ‘Cano’
(8).
The exception to this trend has been
Pitingo who, backed by a multinational, has made a place
for himself on the Spanish charts, with over 80,000 copies
sold of ‘Soulería’ (6). Therefore,
his particular fusion of soul and bulería has earned
him (so unusual for a flamenco artist) a Platinum Record.
In this ranking, his success is reflected with sixth place.
Tenth place in this TOP 10 is occupied
by Mayte Martín, also wrapped in an independent
production. And the thing is that ‘De fuego y de
agua’ is an approach to classical Spanish music
promoted by French pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque
from their own record label. Titles of a great variety
of styles remained knocking at the door of the list such
as ‘Río de los canasteros’ by pianist
and cantaor Diego Amador, the double anthology by Tomatito
which includes a previously-unreleased live performance,
‘Metáfora’ by Lole, ‘Trabajito
de chinos’ by heterodox singer-bailaora La Shica,
the live performance on CD and DVD of ‘La voz de
mi silencio’ by El Barrio, ‘Flamenco Big Band’
by Perico Sambeat; and ‘Cuando Lebrijano canta se
moja el agua’, the return dedication to Gabriel
García Márquez by El Lebrijano.
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