I’m a huge fan of Tony Gatlif movies and Vengo is one the best, I think. So tragic, so beautiful. This movie also introduced me to the music of Tomatito. (there’s another clip I wanted to share but it has the G-word in the title so. Best if you guys just try to find the movie. I watched it years ago by borrowing the DVD from the Brisbane City Council library system. Wonderful system. Books, DVDs, music CDs. Wonderful librarians too!). Anyway, the above clip shows the connection between Middle Eastern music, the flamenco and sufi music! I was blown away by this. Still am.
The first time I saw a real flamenco being performed it was the 1992 Olympcs (opening and closing ceremony) and no one could ask for a better introduction, given it was the great Cristina Hoyos. My imagination was inflamed by the dancing to de Falla’s Ritual Fire Dance, a piece I’d loved since I was a kid. Here are scenes from a movie I have not watched yet (can’t find) but these clips I’ve watched so often!
Oh hey, I found the entire closing ceremony with that version of the flamenco. It’s at 21:54. By the power of YouTube! Cristina is magnificent, though I think I now prefer the movie version.
Next week, Qawwali music! Time to get some Nusrat on. <3