Flamenco: An Englishman's Passion |
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Flamenco: An Englishman's Passion
Author: Tony Bryant
Publisher: Flamenco Sapiens
Date First Published: 08/11/2006
English author and music journalist Tony Bryant is about to release a new revised edition of his book, Flamenco; an Englishman's passion. The book, which was first released in 2006, is to, again, be published by Flamenco Sapiens, the editorial section of the Museo del Baile Flamenco. The flamenco museum is owned by the renown flamenco dancer Cristina Hoyos, and is situated in the very heart of Seville.
Flamenco; An Englishman’s passion has become one of the museums best selling books and their only book on the art of flamenco that is written in English. In October of 2008 Tony Bryant’s publisher approached him with the idea of doing a revised and up-dated edition of the book and he jumped at the chance as he was never totally satisfied with the way the book had originally turned out. Tony Bryant has lived in Andalucía for more than 15 years and is considered to be a knowledgeable figure on the evolution and history of flamenco and this book will demonstrate why. The new edition includes many new photographs that have been taken by the author as well a family tree that charts one of the biggest gypsy/flamenco clans in Andalucia. He has also re-written a few of the chapters in order to add even more information and facts about flamenco, an art that has become such a big part of Tony’s life. The book tells the story of how an Englishman first became interested in, and eventually addicted to, a culture that is so different to that of his own; an art normally only associated with the gypsies of Andalucía.
THE STORY of An englishman's passion
The author starts his story with his own musical up-bringing in London and discusses the similarities that exist within the evolution of flamenco and other world music like jazz and the blues. He also takes us on a journey through some of the small villages and towns in Andalucía where he met some of the most influential flamenco artistes of Spain. The book includes some amusing tales and anecdotes of things that happened to him whilst he was researching the book, like an old man he met in Utrera who wanted to talk about an approaching game of football between Chelsea FC and Real Betis. The old guy was dumbfounded that this Englishman had no knowledge of football, yet knew more about flamenco than the average Spaniard. Another amusing tale tells how his “disgustingly bad” Spanish grammar caused some humorous confusion in a bar in Moròn de la Frontera. He also describes in great detail some of the flamenco parties that he has attended and how different these impromptu juergas are compared to the commercial type that is staged for the tourists who visit Andalucía. The main reason behind the book is to explain the two immensely different sides of flamenco; the glitter and sparkle tablao and theatre flamenco compared to the cante jondo, the deep songs that have existed in Andalucía for approximately 500 years. The book includes an in depth chapter concerning the history of flamenco; with the departure of the gypsies from India approximately 1,000 years ago right up until the present day. He has also included biographies of flamenco artistes who are considered to have played a major role in the evolution and preservation of this culture.
Tony explains many of the myths and legends that surround this predominately gypsy art, like for example the legend of the bald rooster; a hideous bronze statue that keeps a vigilant eye on a small town in Seville. But this book will not only appeal to lovers of flamenco because the author also describes some of Andalucia’s fiestas and celebrations like Semana Santa, the festivals and the romerias. The author realised that there was much more to flamenco than just music and dance and he deals with all aspects of life in Andalucía, especially the people, as he believes that they are what makes flamenco so unique. Tony say’s that he basically cut himself off from the outside world to immerse him self in the world of flamenco mixing with gypsies and andalucians in order to get a true understanding. He also said that flamenco became “like a cuckoo”, pushing to one side everything else that was once important, to become a major part of his everyday life The book demonstrates his passion and affection for an art that he feels is slowing being driven into extinction.
Tony Bryant is a lover of the purest, duende fuelled, gypsy flamenco and he holds no punches when explaining why he feels that the orthodox side of this art is being destroyed by the commercial scene that is desecrating this age old culture. I think the words of the author best sum up what he truly feels for flamenco. “Flamenco is a contagious dance that is so passionate it will leave you spellbound or an outburst of duende fuelled song that tugs at your deepest emotions, or a light hearted bit of fun where nothing seems to matter and time is unimportant. Long may it continue!" Flamenco; an Englishman’s passion will appeal to anyone who has an interest in andalucian culture and art and of course to those who have a penchant for flamenco. The book will be released in Seville on July 18th and will be available from Bookworld España, Amazon.com, The Book Annex and from the museum shop in Seville.
about the author
Tony Bryant is a free-lance writer and music journalist who also writes for www.andalucia.com, where his flamenco work can also be viewed as well as at his MySpace site-www.myspace.com/flam2blues.