When you reach an age like ours is José Antonio Carmona Carmona (Granada, October 1944), for art Pepe HabichuelaThe accolades are piling up, the phone keeps ringing, all remembering who is a leading figure in contemporary flamenco guitar. A superb squire to the great Enrique MorenteA pioneer of so many resources for the modern guitar, for both the left and right hands, from his natural fondness for changing the key from E to major without breaking a sweat, to those strumming techniques that border on perfection, his trademark, and a touch that, in his hands, makes even the most battered guitar sound like a Ramírez, Esteso o Santos Hernández.
A whole life dedicated body and soul to flamenco, as he has so well told us Jose Manuel Gamboa in his recent book Now or NeverA life characterized by his affection for young people, acting as a teacher without intending to, day after day. Always by his side Amparo Niño, and his son Josemi, one of the protagonists of the revolution that the flamenco In recent years. From Granada to Madrid, with his brothers Juan, Luis and CarlosThey forged a touch that marks a style that is today the hallmark of flamenco more authentic, without tricks or gimmicks.
"Those of us who have been lucky enough to live near Uncle Pepe have received great lessons in flamenco, art, and life, alongside Enrique in that house on Camino del Monte that was a balcony overlooking his Alhambra. And today we swell with joy at all the recognition given to our dear friend."
One of Pepe's many contributions to the modern guitar style is his revival of the traditional way of playing the seguiriya, restoring the expressive character it had lost over decades, as it had become increasingly slower. The old-fashioned style that young people call modern is what you hear in his now immortal recording. Amanecer and which also adapted to cante at the Little steamer Morente. When I asked him why he played the seguiriya so fast, since I was used to hearing it not slow, almost free, he told me he had rescued (and updated) the old tempo of the style. Since then, it's been my favorite style. Don't miss listening to it and enjoying the natural skill of the great Pepe.
Those of us who have been lucky enough to live near Uncle Pepe have received great lessons in flamenco, art, and life, alongside Enrique in that house on Camino del Monte that was a balcony overlooking his Alhambra, and today we swell with joy at all the recognition given to our dear friend, and may there be many more, simply because he deserves it and it's also a matter of Now or Never.
