Flamenco cantaor David Lagos combines creativity and deep roots on his début album ‘El espejo en que me miro’

• On this recording, the Jerez-born artist reflects his influences and his compositions, with dedications to Camarón, La Paquera and Enrique Morente

• The album is to be premiered live in November in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht

Flamenco World Music, October 19th, 2009

David Lagos releases his long-awaited début album ‘El espejo en que me miro’, a successful balance between creativity and deep roots. The flamenco cantaor from Jerez, after forging a solid career together with bailaores such as Israel Galván and Cristina Hoyos, presents nine songs on his first disc with which he pays tribute to the maestros who have inspired him, from Camarón to Morente, with La Paquera and Chano Lobato in between. And he does so in a very personal way, with lyrics of his own creation and music composed side by side with guitarist Alfredo Lagos. Although there are subtle percussion and contrabass arrangements, plus collaborations by Moraíto, Fernando de la Morena and Santiago Lara, what “gives the album character are the vocals and the guitar, so the record will be faithfully captured live”. The first concerts are already scheduled for November in three Dutch cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht.

David Lagos (Photo Daniel Muñoz)

‘El espejo en que me miro’ is the first verse of a popular saying which Camarón popularized por soleá. And David Lagos so names his first solo album, consisting of artistic and personal reflections which inspire his solid, respected career as a flamenco cantaor. The album, which is to be released on October 19th, 2009 published and distributed by Flamenco World Music, contains nine songs in which there is a balanced combination of creativity and deep roots.

With lyrics of his own and music composed together with prestigious guitarist Alfredo Lagos, the Jerez-born artist pays a personal tribute to his maestros. The mighty introduction ‘Reina de la Bulería’ is dedicated to La Paquera, the bullfighting ‘Tangos de Arena’ excerpted from the soundtrack of a show by Israel Galván goes out to Enrique Morente; the salt alegría ‘Sal de Cai’ goes to Chano Lobato, including the collaboration of guitarist Santiago Lara and bailaora Mercedes Ruiz; and he remembers long-forgotten Antonio el Sevillano por milonga and bulería with ‘Sólo la guitarra sabe’. In ‘Gañán de punta’ the tribute to unique Fernando de la Morena is live; they sing trilla and soleá together accompanied by Moraíto on guitar. Toná, bulerías, malagueña and cantes de levante complete the repertoire.

Premiere in Europe

On this first recording, David Lagos has wanted the vocals and guitar to be the stars. The only things which have been added are subtle percussions by Paco González, Pablo Martín’s contrabass in two pieces, and some touches of clapping and choruses. In this way, he aims for the live version of ‘El espejo en que me miro’ to be a faithful reflection of the disc. The agenda of presentations kicks off in November in Holland with three concerts set in Flamenco Biennale Intermezzo. Specifically, they will be at the World Music and Dance Center in Rotterdam on November 3rd, at the Bimhuis in Amsterdam on November 4th and at the RASA in Utrecht on November 29th. Dates will soon be closed for the presentation in Jerez and Seville.

David Lagos (Photo Daniel Muñoz)