The cantaor gives Al-Andalusian musician Faiçal a chance on this new album

S.C., April 2005

Lebrijano felt like “expressing my message of peace”. And, since it couldn't be any other way, it has taken shape as a record. ‘Puertas abiertas’ is the third time the Sevillian cantaor has laid stakes on the brotherly union between either shore of the Strait of Gibraltar. And moreover, the way to give a chance to a musician “whom I've put all my trust in”, Moroccan violinist Faiçal Kourrich. The new album is a joint effort between both artists and both musical cultures, with such select collaborations as that of pianist Dorantes and guitarist Juan María Peña. Standing out from the repertoire is the track ‘Alicia’, inspired by a baby surviving the 3/11 attack in Madrid and who accompanied the maestro with her babbling in the presentation of this new music collection in the Spanish capital.

Madrid, March 11th, 2004,/ Atocha Station/ She was dozing off sweetly /In the bowels of her mother / Despite the twisted steel / Despite the bloodshed / Despite the wrong, hate and roar / She is light and life today

Lebrijano and Faiçal (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

Those are the lyrics with which poet Casto Márquez summed up the barbarism of the terrorist attack which shocked the world a little over a year ago, the words which have inspired the main track on ‘Puertas abiertas’. The author recited them and next, Lebrijano, Faiçal and their group turned them into music and cante through bulerías in the presence of its star, little Alicia. Shortly earlier Lebrijano had had her in his arms and couldn't hold back his emotions: “Feelings are in the air here”.

Next, they presented the track ‘Granate’, another of the most significant ones on the album due to it having a beautiful swaying back and forth between the granaína, tangos and Arab sounds. Juan María Peña, on guitar; Manolo Nieto, on bass; Tete Peña, on box drum; plus flamenco and Arab choruses, accompanied the two of them in the presentation which took place at the headquarters of the General Society of Spanish Authors on Tuesday, April 19th, 2005.

Before the music and the showing of the first video, the cantaor roughly sketched out this new project. He said that he met Faiçal fifteen years ago, and since then, “he's made me fall in love with his music”. He pointed out that “the violin is a complicated instrument; they screech like kittens, but he has the skill to play it very well”. At the same time, as the veteran artist, he assures that he feels “obliged to bring out whoever can give more to the artform”. And he recognized that, “although I don't understand violin, a little bit of guitar... and badly, because I'm a frustrated guitarist, I've given him my advice”. He added that he's put all his trust in him since he knows that, “despite my presenting him on this record, he's going to need me very little and will go on his way”. He stated that he will give him all of his support, just like he will give to other young musicians like his nephew Dorantes, who has taken part on the track ‘La magia de Aïda y Maruan’.

Following everything said by the Lebrija-born cantaor, Faiçal just managed to answer him with concise gratitude: “I'm the luckiest man in the world for having shared this album with you”.

Lebrijano and Faiçal (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

magazine@flamenco-world.com