Best Of Vincente Amigo - Flamenco Master - Part 1 - ( 1991 - 2024 )

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Vicente Amigo Girol, born on March 25, 1967, in Guadalcanal, a small town near Seville in Andalusia, Spain, is widely regarded as one of the most virtuosic and innovative flamenco guitarists of his generation. Raised in Córdoba, a city steeped in flamenco tradition, Amigo’s journey into music began at a young age, shaping him into a figure often hailed as the successor to the legendary Paco de Lucía, the father of modern flamenco guitar.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Amigo’s passion for music emerged early. At the age of eight, he received his first Spanish guitar and began lessons in Córdoba under local masters such as “El Tomate” and “El Merengue.” His talent quickly became apparent, and by his teenage years, he was studying under Manolo Sanlúcar, one of the most respected flamenco guitarists of the time. Amigo spent a decade under Sanlúcar’s mentorship, honing his technique and deepening his understanding of flamenco’s intricate rhythms and emotional depth. This period was foundational, as Sanlúcar’s influence helped Amigo develop the precision and creativity that would later define his career.
By 15, Amigo was already performing professionally, initially as an accompanist. His early career included collaborations with prominent flamenco singers like El Pele, with whom he formed a significant partnership. This experience as a “tocaor” (accompanying guitarist) allowed him to master the art of supporting vocalists and dancers, a crucial aspect of traditional flamenco, while also laying the groundwork for his solo ambitions.
Rise to Prominence
Amigo’s solo career took off in 1988 when he began competing in prestigious flamenco contests. That year, he won first prize in the guitar category at the Festival Nacional del Cante de las Minas in La Unión, followed by the Concurso Internacional de Extremadura. In 1989, he solidified his reputation by winning the Ramón Montoya Prize for concert guitar at the XII Concurso Nacional de Arte Flamenco in Córdoba—one of the most coveted awards in the flamenco world. These accolades marked him as a rising star and earned him a place among the elite of flamenco guitarists.
His debut solo album, De Mi Corazón al Aire (From Out of My Heart), released in 1991, showcased his technical brilliance and emotional expressiveness. The album was a critical success, blending traditional flamenco with subtle innovations that hinted at his future direction. Around this time, Amigo’s admiration for Paco de Lucía led to a notable collaboration: he performed alongside de Lucía in the 1991 show Leyendas de la Guitarra (Legends of the Guitar) in Seville, an event that bridged generations of flamenco mastery.
Artistic Evolution and Innovation
Amigo’s style is characterized by his exceptional use of picado—a rapid alternation between the index and middle fingers—combined with a distinctive fusion of traditional flamenco elements like cante (singing), palmas (clapping), and jaleos (shouting) with modern influences. His second album, Vivencias Imaginadas (1995), exemplified this approach, featuring tracks like “Querido Metheny,” a tribute to jazz guitarist Pat Metheny, and introducing the trumpet as a novel instrument in flamenco music. This willingness to experiment divided opinions: purists criticized his departures from tradition, while others praised his forward-thinking creativity.
In 1997, Amigo released Poeta, a work inspired by the poetry of Rafael Alberti. Originally titled Concierto Flamenco para un Marinero en Tierra, it premiered in 1992 with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Cuba under Leo Brouwer’s direction. Alberti himself lauded Amigo’s ability to translate his verses into music with “all the heartbeat and tremor” of the original poetry. The album earned Amigo the Best Flamenco Author and Best Flamenco Composer awards at the 1997 Premios de la Música in Spain.
International Recognition and Collaborations
Amigo’s international breakthrough came with Ciudad de las Ideas (2000), an album dedicated to Andalusia that won the 2001 Latin Grammy for Best Flamenco Album and the 2002 Ondas Award for Best Flamenco Work. Featuring collaborations with artists like Algerian singer Khaled, Diego El Cigala, and Pedro Aznar, the album reflected Amigo’s openness to global influences while remaining rooted in flamenco. He described it as a “thank you” to his life experiences, inspired by the Greek poet Kavafis’ reflections on youth and wisdom.
Throughout his career, Amigo has collaborated with an impressive array of artists across genres, including Sting, Alejandro Sanz, John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, Stanley Jordan, Milton Nascimento, and flamenco luminaries like Camarón de la Isla, Carmen Linares, and José Mercé. His production work, notably on Mercé’s Del Amanecer (1998) and Remedios Amaya’s Me Voy Contigo (1997), further showcased his versatility. He also contributed to film soundtracks, such as The Spanish Apa