A few months ago that momo Moneo He set himself the goal of presenting his latest record, entitled No tricks or gimmicksA work in the classic style of cante in which he delves into the styles most characteristic of his Gypsy heritage. The Jerez native took advantage of a business trip to Japan to return to the studio, perhaps without grand ambitions but with the aim of offering Japanese fans a contemporary sound, as that era is now long gone. Blood and Territory which he published in 2010 in Jerez and which served as his debut in this field. Before that, he had been part of the New Frontier of Cante from Jerez (BBK, 2008).
Fifteen years have passed since that debut and Juan José Fajardo Moneo (1981), one of the most prominent voices of his generation in La Plazuela, continues to walk without losing his style and defending his convictions, committed to the legacy received from his uncles Manuel, Juan and Luis MoneoThings went so well, the 48 hours of studio time yielded such good results, that both he and his recording partners decided to make the work known, so that it wouldn't just remain a consumer product for the hundreds of Japanese people who had already bought the album. "They still like to have physical copies there," Momo told me.
"About two hundred people answered the call of the good canteThe one who knows nothing of time or context, of fashions or social media. The soleá, as it should be sung. He was one of the cantes that moved me the most out of all that Momo sang Moneo, always remembering the airs of Cádiz –alegrías, cantiñas…– which he once heard so much in the voice of his uncle El Torta»
After a few months with his ideas more or less clear, the flamenco singer had the support of the ACF Luis de la Pica to provide the perfect setting for this presentation. It took place on Saturday, November 8th. And despite the abundance of flamenco and non-flamenco activities in Jerez, a large audience was present to enjoy this important evening, which was rewarded with a standing ovation at the end. Approximately two hundred people answered the call of the good canteThe one who knows nothing of time or context, of fashions or social media. The soleá, as it should be sung. He was one of the canteThose were the ones that moved me the most out of all the songs Momo sang, always remembering the airs of Cádiz (alegrías, cantiñas…) that he once heard so much in his uncle's voice The CakeIt found its footing in the taranta, the seguiriya, and the fandangos. The guitar, a high-caliber accompaniment, provided the perfect setting. Domingo Rubichi'swho did not participate in the recording of the album but who replaced Antonio Malena Jr.who couldn't be there. It's all the same.
The attendees enjoyed the authenticity felt in the charming flamenco venue, perfectly sized for performances like these. palmas were those of Angel Peña e Israel Lopez Peña, who engaged fully in some bulerías to listen to the rhythm of knuckles on a table, to which was added Miguel LaviTwo friends, two companions, two gypsies from La Plazuela… singing like they did fifty years ago in the Tabanco Ignacio or at Tío Chico'sAnother of those who were supporting the singer, who by the way seemed dedicated, excited, responsible and aware of the moment, was Dolores Agujetas, always natural and down-to-earth, generous with Momo and delighting the attendees with a small gift in the form of a fandango.
The party continued with bulerías, with anyone who wanted to join in, to the rhythm of Jerez, as if it were the finest of baptisms celebrated in the past. All of this is captured on a record that has no No tricks or gimmicksShe managed, therefore, to capture that essence, that capacity for transmission, that sincerity of the moment when nothing is perfect, or everything is. Momo managed to raise her flag high, dignified and applauded. Then, in that courtyard of the old Carmen Benítez school, the heart of Santiago, the hands of the clock stopped, venturing into the early hours with a moment of art amidst cantedance and gastronomy, that very gypsy kind that it offers Rocio Jimenez.
