Photo by Ann Read
Coin Life
Coin Life
Flamenco; An Englishman’s Passion - the revised edition is launched...
Tony Bryant is an Englishman with a passion.
Since he first came to live in Andalucia in 1994, he has been fascinated with the history, traditions and the development of Flamenco.
The recently revised and updated release of his book “Flamenco; An Englishman’s Passion” takes the reader to the ‘magical, mystery-shrouded’ world of true flamenco, back to the origins of this passionate form of singing.
As a musician himself it is no surprise that Tony was drawn to the world of flamenco but his search for the ‘true roots’ of flamenco has taken him to places beyond the guitar-accompanied dancers and entertainers more commonly associated with the style. Tony explains in his book that the purest Flamenco is a spontaneous art of hand clapping and emotional singing that is ‘in the blood’ rather than something that can be learned in flamenco classes or through the rehearsed routines that are often used to entertain tourists the length and breadth of the coast.
Since he first came to live in Andalucia in 1994, he has been fascinated with the history, traditions and the development of Flamenco.
The recently revised and updated release of his book “Flamenco; An Englishman’s Passion” takes the reader to the ‘magical, mystery-shrouded’ world of true flamenco, back to the origins of this passionate form of singing.
As a musician himself it is no surprise that Tony was drawn to the world of flamenco but his search for the ‘true roots’ of flamenco has taken him to places beyond the guitar-accompanied dancers and entertainers more commonly associated with the style. Tony explains in his book that the purest Flamenco is a spontaneous art of hand clapping and emotional singing that is ‘in the blood’ rather than something that can be learned in flamenco classes or through the rehearsed routines that are often used to entertain tourists the length and breadth of the coast.
“When it is at its purest, flamenco is always spontaneous...’
Now acknowledged as a leading authority on the subject, Bryant has met with some of the most famous flamenco artists but stresses that it is the intense out-pouring of emotion that creates the best sound, and that this could be found in any bar or family gathering where the moment takes the singer and the true spirit of Flamenco can be heard.
These days he says it can be very difficult to find true flamenco that has not been commercialised or popularised for the benefit of tourism and that your best chance of finding it will not be to head for your nearest ‘flamenco spectacular’ but to simply spend time with the right people and you might just get lucky, “especially after they’ve had a couple of whiskies”. Bryant says that Flamenco is “not about the place, it’s
Now acknowledged as a leading authority on the subject, Bryant has met with some of the most famous flamenco artists but stresses that it is the intense out-pouring of emotion that creates the best sound, and that this could be found in any bar or family gathering where the moment takes the singer and the true spirit of Flamenco can be heard.
These days he says it can be very difficult to find true flamenco that has not been commercialised or popularised for the benefit of tourism and that your best chance of finding it will not be to head for your nearest ‘flamenco spectacular’ but to simply spend time with the right people and you might just get lucky, “especially after they’ve had a couple of whiskies”. Bryant says that Flamenco is “not about the place, it’s
Drawing comparisons with his own musical background and similarities with the development of Jazz & the Blues, Bryant’s book follows a journey through small Andalucian villages, gypsy families and the development of his own interest into a passion for the subject that few outsiders ever get to achieve.
With background history and description of some of the popular local festivals and celebrations, Bryant’s book gives an insight into the traditions of Andalucia.
Flamenco; An Englishman’s Passion is available in local bookstores and from the TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE in Coin or on Amazon.com from around £8 plus postage.
With background history and description of some of the popular local festivals and celebrations, Bryant’s book gives an insight into the traditions of Andalucia.
Flamenco; An Englishman’s Passion is available in local bookstores and from the TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE in Coin or on Amazon.com from around £8 plus postage.
Tony Bryant - “Flamenco is in their blood”