Who is Francisco Sanchez?
Born Francisco Sanchez son of Lucia, as a child growing in a neighborhood with many children named Fransico the adults in the neighborhood would place the mothers first name at the end of the childs first name to distinguish which Paco you were calling out to. This is how Francisco Sanchez became known as “Paco de Luciaâ€.
I have had the Francisco Sanchez – Paco de Lucia 2 DVD set for a while now and I received it as a gift from a friend in Spain. I guess until now I have been without words for the footage captured, the messages given and the music played.
I knew who Paco de Lucia was in the sense that I was told he was a mythical performer who was untouchable and played compositions beyond anyones wildest dreams. But I had never really taken the time to listen to any of his music in depth let alone understand who he was and what he means to Flamenco music.
This all changed in the span of about a year when I received the Francisco Sanchez – Paco de Lucia DVD, really listened to his music and then finally met Paco de Lucia at a concert he gave here in Los Angeles at UCLA. And let me tell you that was an incredible year.
My experience with Paco de Lucia was without a doubt completely different due to the fact that I had watched the Francisco Sanchez – Paco de Lucia DVD before meeting him. As I understood why he deserves and commands the respect he receives.
Paco de Lucia does not come across as an arrogant, flamboyant genius guitar player but instead as a very humble, regular guy who just practiced and practiced and practiced and then practiced some more. Of course Paco de Lucia is talented but most of all he is DEDICATED. And if you have ever felt like you could never play as perfect as Paco de Lucia you suddenly realize that he couldn’t either if he practiced like you. Imagine your hardest guitar practice session and that doesnt even come close to the time and effort Paco has put and still puts into his training.
The greatest thing about the Francisco Sanchez – Paco de Lucia DVD is that unlike other musicians who claim that they always felt they were destined for greatness or better yet they always knew they were the best Paco de Lucia shares the fact that he has real fears about composition, technical playing and backstage jitters like you and I. So on top of being a great if not the greatest Flamenco guitarist, you come away with really relating to his fears, struggles and how hard it really is for him to be the best not just because of the technical guitar playing but everything else that comes along with it. The publicity, the constant traveling and the pressures of recording new material as everyone hinges on what Paco de Lucia will do next. Where will you take flamenco now Paco?
This is not just a DVD its an experience.
Paco de LucÃa (b. December 21, 1947) is an internationally recognized Spanish flamenco guitarist, and leading exponent of the New Flamenco style. He is the son of flamenco guitarist Antonio Sánchez, and brother of flamenco singer Pepe de LucÃa and flamenco guitarist Ramón de Algeciras. Paco is considered by many to be the greatest flamenco guitarist of all time. Not only does he dominate in flamenco, he is one of the very few guitarists who is also talented in other genres of music, e.g. jazz, classical, and world music.
Related posts:
- Mi Nino Curro Tab and Video
- Paco Pena Requiem for the Earth
- Review of Paco Pena “A Compas” at UCLA
- Fountain Theatre June 2007
- Flamenco Dance & Guitar Classes with Paco y Yolanda Arroyo