Meg and I have been "crazy-whacko-nuts" excited to see this concert for some time now, and we were not disappointed in the slightest! Bebo and Chucho Valdes (father and son) began the concert with some introductory piano duets that really set the tone for the concert. Warm and frolicking in the Cuban rhythms, they seemed completely immersed and passionate about the music, but somehow completely at ease and having so much fun together! Bebo was incredible. 84 years old, an elder statesman of the Cuban music scene, and strangely enough a resident of Sweden since 1960 when he "escaped Cuba." He strode on stage wearing a sharp suit and carrying with him an old leather case from which he produced his sheet music. He remained "all business" for the remainder of the evening hardly paused to accept applause before diving into the next number. Chucho followed his Dad's lead, and let him hold the spot light all night, but was so much more than a support man pounding out some outstanding rhythms. The torch has definately not been dropped between these two! Diego "El Cigala" was in incredible command of his vocal power all evening. Clearly enjoying himslef immensely, his voice was rich and varied and easily filled the auditorium with incredible warmth and vitality. Many times people rose in applause mid-song to cheer him on. It is always an incredible thing to see someone relate the pathos of Flamenco so eloquently, with such an entertaining presence, and that in a nutshell is what "Lagrimas Negras" is all about. Rising above heart wrenching emotional pain through song.
What made the day extra special, however, was that we spent the whole afternoon and evening with Spanish friends in London who also knew of "Lagrimas Negras." Ellie Faustino, who I work with at MPC, and her boyfriend Jordi Bares (both from Barcelona) invited Meg and I, along with some friends of theirs for "la comida espanola" prior to the concert. Since the weather was quite poor, raining most of the day in fact, it was really lovely to just sit inside at someone's flat and chat over a long lunch. I can't remember the last time that happened! Two paellas, una grande empanada (made by Pablo Tufaro my friend from Argentina, and Noe his girlfriend from Madrid), ensalada con tomate y bonito, tostadas de aceite de oliva y al ajillo, mucho vino tinto y mas!!! It was really a fantastic meal ingreat company. At the end of the meal Jordi produced a bottle of Spanish "moonshine" made by hand by his family. A kind of Grappa in fact. It was incredible, and gave us the perfect fuel for the fire to carry us on to the concert! After the concert we enjoyed a pint at a pub a short walk from the Barbican where we recounted the evening and talked on and on... in Spanish! I really couldn't keep up, but Meg was a star! Muchisimas gracias a todos! It was really lovely day.
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