Flamenco - More Than Just About Frilly Dresses?
Monday August 28, 2006
The image of flamenco that most people have of women dancing a variation of the 'Birdie Song' in a garish costume is such a tired cliché that you'd be forgiven for thinking that flamenco was an anachronistic art form only maintained for the pleasure of tourists and the bank accounts of tour operators.
In fact, flamenco is very much a living art form, with bands still reinterpreting the genre in the pop charts today. The dancing is only one element (and is actually the element most likely to be missed out). Of equal (or greater) importance is the singing and the guitar playing. Learn more about flamenco in this Flamenco FAQ.
If you want to buy some flamenco before you get to Spain, see my list of the Top Five Flamenco Artists and discover flamenco for yourself. If you only buy music by one artist, make sure it is by Camaron de la Isla, the most important flamenco star of all time. For help choosing which album to buy, see my Essential Camaron de la Isla Albums
Photo © Michal Jarocinski
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