Comments on: Review of Paco Pena “A Compas” at UCLA

By: Aurelio

Aurelio — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:36:54 +0000

The show was, I’m sure, grand fun for the mostly elderly, most assuredly non-flamenco audience. I agree that the dancers displayed excellent technique, Charo Espino showing lovely line indeed. The three guitarists were amplified, to my horror, and the presence of a cajon and castanets indicated that authentic flamenco was not the goal of the evening’s entertainment (I refer to the Princeton performance). The two singers were those who most closely approached a flamenco atmosphere, and, had they been accompanied in a supportive, traditional manner, probably would have provided the most powerful and successful example of what flamenco is (or used to be).

By: Gongoli

Gongoli — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:41:52 +0000

I had the pleasure of seeing this show in the east coast and my only disagreement with this review is that I found that the other two guitarists, Paco Arriaga and Rafael Montilla, did most of the work in the group pieces, where Paco seemed to have a background role. I perceived that most in the audience didn’t have the ability or interest to tell which guitarist was doing what; but I had that ability, and could see that Pena was not leading in those group pieces. No offense; Paco Pena is good, but Arriaga and Montilla should get the credit they desserve.

By: Roberto Luis

Roberto Luis — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:56:53 +0000

I had the great fortune to see the same tablao at the McCarter Theater in Princeton, NJ (Sept. 30). I wholeheartedly agree with your evaluation. Angel Munoz definitely stole the show.

However, Paco Pena was in excellent form – I have been a fan of his since before “Misa Flamenca”, and this was the first time I saw him “in the flesh”. He was well worth waiting for.

By: Tracey Raz

Tracey Raz — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:32:10 +0000

Wish I could have been there!! Sounds amazing. Hope they come back soon…

By: David M. Jones

David M. Jones — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:15:45 +0000

Paco Peña always does justice to the art of flamenco. We are looking forward to his show here in London! Ever since seeing him in the 70s in his early ‘Flamenco Puro Live’, he has brought flamenco alive to thousands. What I always find so refreshing is that, when he plays, solo or for a dancer and/or singer, you can always hear the real, basic flamenco forming the core of his incredible flourishes. You can hear the stuff you yourself can actually play, even if you are not experienced/dexterous enough to be able to do the extra embellishment notes and ‘incredible [fast] picado technique’ that he adds. It is encouraging and refreshing to hear an artist like Paco Peña so grounded. Teaming up with such incredible singers and dancers means you get the real thing. Can’t wait!

By: Derek Gardiner

Derek Gardiner — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:14:22 +0000

Great post explaining the excitement of the evening to someone who couldn’t be there.

Brilliant.

By: Susan Joan Perry

Susan Joan Perry — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:20:49 +0000

Last night (Mnday, Oct. 19), Paco Pena (A Compas) was here in Ottawa (Canada) – it was the same! Everyone was wonderful but the crowd went wild for Angel’s performance! It was fantastic to have been there!