One of the wonders of flamenco is the way the most elemental human sounds - raw vocal utterances and handclaps - are wedded to the most sophisticated and virtuosic music. Furthermore, this mixture of passion and technique is crafted without self-consciousness or contrivance in an improvised whirlwind of dance and storytelling forms rather than within the prescribed structures of songs or formal composition.
Guitarist Paco de Lucia is one of the international high-profile heroes of flamenco, deeply immersed in idiom, yet always willing to stray from the path. This sold-out concert is structured to show both his fidelity to the tradition and his instincts for adventure. The first set opens with a long solo improvisation. In a manner reminiscent of an Indian classical musician, de Lucia takes his time. For the next few numbers, the commanding sound of his acoustic guitar is augmented by percussion, handclaps and/or singers who walk on and off the stage as required. He improvises another stunning solo: there are moments when you feel de Lucia is still surprising himself with what his fingers can find on the instrument. Even the most rapid and flamboyant passages are more like adventures than exercises in style or technique.
For the second set de Lucia is joined by his band - two singers, percussion, second guitar, bass and multi-instrumentalist Antonio Serano, whose chromatic harmonica adds a welcome new flavour to the ensemble sound. Other numbers provide solo space for singers Montse Cortés and Tana and the emotive, Pastorius-influenced fretless bass of Alain Perez. The rhythmic rapport between de Lucia's guitar and Pirana's percussion is a constant delight, driving the ensemble hard while remaining sensitive to the ebb and flow of the improvised performances.
Nothing in de Lucia's performance is contrived, "targeted" or predictable. His tunes have a way of lulling the listener into expecting one kind of resolution - then taking another direction entirely, with a chord or figure reminiscent of jazz or African music. The pieces evolve from light to shade, from fury to reflection - like the mood swings, intense passions and adrenaline-driven actions of everyday human experience, in laughter, fear, anger or love. That's why flamenco speaks to everyone. The audience jump to their feet and remain there, applauding, for more than five minutes before the band returns for an encore.
