bulerias (spain)

moving right along with this fun little project
of putting moving pictures in with copied text
to better understand some of the rhythms of the world
songlines magazine did an article a year or so ago nominating 50 styles
since reading that i have been on a musical mission trying to get my ears tuned in
and with the amazing resources of youtube it is also possible to put pictures to words
here's what songlines had to say about the style known as bulerias
bulerias get their name from burlar (to make fun of)
and were created by gypsies of jerez de la frontera
playing around with alegria (and solea) rhythms
making the accentuation of their rhythmic count far more complex
upbeat favourites for fiestas, they were integral to the renovation of flamenco
by the groundbreaking 80's generation
they also recommended an artist by the name of jose merce
of which there are many videos available
but he's just (ahem) a singer
i was more drawn to the guitarists
showing amazing dexterity at belting out the tunes
this one is by an artist named tomatito
recorded in 1980 so presumably at the start of the mentioned revolution
apart from the brilliant control of the guitar
the rapid hand-clapping and use of the body of the guitar as a bass drum
are also impressive features of this tune
(7 of 50)