Sometimes in the repertoire of works by flamenco We find records incorporated into a book, as in the case of the tribute to Juan Ramon Jimenez (Signature Editions), by Paco Robles, with an album dedicated to the poet by Rocio Marquez, or, as in the case at hand, on the one hand, a record and on the other a book alluding to the record, or vice versa.
David Leiva –Almería, 1977– is a guitarist, composer, writer, and musicologist. A comprehensive education, in short, along with his work as a teacher and music manager, enables him to create a work of the quality he has. 12 flowers. The book, edited by Red circle, takes the form of a narrative, on the one hand, and, on the other, serves as a link and explanation of the content of the twelve themes that make up the CD 12 flowers. It is his second album, after Fuente victoriaOf 2012.
En 12 flowers He pays tribute to his family, especially his parents and his daughter. Thus, the circle of musical quality, flamenco depth, writing, and affection closes, and the reader and listener are grateful for it.
To start with, the CD is already very good with photographs and a booklet, with beautiful photos, one especially of his daughter Aina of a baby sleeping on a guitar, drawings, and the lyrics for each piece. An artist like Leiva, who has published more than a hundred works, has had, as the booklet says, the patience to wait more than ten years to weave this project with meticulousness and care. He tells us that the music becomes a narrator, "weaving stories that meander along uncharted paths to offer a truly special experience"The family legacy, she emphasizes, is present, "unraveling the intriguing plot of a box that houses twelve crystal flowers, a legacy left by my parents." In this way, she concludes, "each chapter is a canvas where the story of the legacy is intimately intertwined, like the melodies that emanate from the strings of my guitar."
Well, that's the justification, the inspiration, but let's get to the results, which are what's important in art. We found twelve themes, with the following titles, some truly evocative and poetic: Aina, Spring Star –bulerías–, Naturally –tangos–, Lilies of the valley –siguriya–, Nimzaj y Jasmine flower -rumba-, For a dream –fandangos–, Among poppies, Green eyes, The Three Villas, Ms. Maria, To my Manuel, and finally, To my Rosa.
They reflect the general knowledge of various codes, from the flamenco, of course, which is the basis, to jazz, electronics, copla and classical music, resulting in an eclectic, cultured, very worked work and, nevertheless, full of nuances, freshness, artistic and experiential background, living pieces of a family and musical puzzle of great depth.
To achieve this, he does not hesitate to contribute, in addition to his inspiration, two things that ennoble and enrich him. On the one hand, his own lyrics, except in Green eyes, Quintero, Lion y Quiroga, so well known. And on the other hand, being accompanied by a large group of musicians and singers. The list would be long, and among them is the pianist Chano Dominguez, the singer Naike Ponce, Jorge Mesa Piranha, etc. Congratulations to everyone.
«The '12 flowers' cuts reflect the general knowledge of various codes, from the flamenco, of course, which is the basis, to jazz, electronics, copla and classical music, resulting in an eclectic, cultured, very worked work and, nevertheless, full of nuances, freshness, artistic and experiential background, living pieces of a family and musical puzzle of great depth.
Everyone has their own criteria and taste. Mine leads me to highlight, within the great quality of the entire work, a few titles. First, the beautiful portico of the work, Aina, beautiful and harmonious, with his little girl doing the tirititrán, some precise fingerpicking by Leiva, rich instrumentation and an air first of alegrías and then of fresh rumba, with the addition of that rap of Patricia Kane. One of the lyrics he sings Marc Suárez says:
Life can give you colors.
Sometimes good people are not found.
Choose those who give you kindness
and leave behind those that don't suit you.
The fifth, a double theme with a first part, Nimzaj, which is Jasmine backwards, and Jasmine flowerMore commercial due to its rumba style, the author wants to express, he tells us, the contrast between dissonance and darkness, followed by delicacy and fragrance, hence the two musically very distinct parts. Gisela Quirós sings the lyrics, one of which says:
Fly with freedom
from a dandelion,
with that happiness
the heart will be filled.
Sixth, For a dream, they are fandangos, one natural, another from Huelva and the last one instrumental abandolao. He sings Ana Colom with taste and the best is the instrumental ending, an excellent melodic wrapper, with a fantastic Sara Brito with the flute.
The seventh, Among poppies, is a guitar solo, without lyrics, based on the tremolo, with a special tuning that gives it, says Leiva, a unique sound, imbued with the sounds of nature. A beautiful reflection, and most importantly, the result is remarkable, just like I do.
The eleventh, To my Manuel, a tribute to his father, as the eighth theme was previously to his mother Rosa, Green eyes, sung by herself, or, to the two grandparents, the tenth, Ms. Maria. To my Manuel brings together several performers in a sonorous and emotional conversation: Leiva himself, the guitarists Paco Bethencourt y Pedro Pedrosa, the mandola of Pedro Medina and the choirs of Cristina López.
And finally, among the ones I liked the most, the twelfth, To my Rosa, pure delight, dedicated to the mother, a sound ensemble where some voices and various instruments, such as the penetrating cello of Carmela Cristos, they make us reach joy.
In short, an outstanding CD, with its accompanying book, which showcases all the author's creative genius, well accompanied by other artists. He writes almost all the lyrics, with complete command of the registers. flamencoand knowledge of other musical genres. His tremolos and fingerpicking, for example, are captivating from start to finish, and his creativity is remarkable, so I highly recommend this album to everyone. Congratulations.
→ David Leiva, 12 flowers, CD and book, RGB Visual Art / Flamenco Live, 2024
