Great Artists Series: Paco de Lucia

(2014, foto La Semana)

One of the greatest guitarists of the XX C. and part of the XXI C. as well. Paco de Lucia died at the age of 66 of a heart attack on the 25th of February 2014.

He was born in Algeciras in Cadiz province in 1947. He was considered the greatest Flamenco guitarists and a virtuoso of the instrument. Paco de Lucía learned from the two best schools in Spain. First from the school of Niño Ricardo, who died in 1972, but is considered one of the greatest guitarists in the Flamenco world. He also was greatly influenced by Sabicas, who died in 1990 and is considered the guitarist that perfected the use of the instrument as a solo instrumento on stage instead of just being an accompaniment to the singer.

(Paco de Lucia and Camarón de la Isla)

Paco de Lucia is credited with internationalising Flamenco music, especially the guitar. He played all over the world and as well with many other guitar virtuosos of other countries and other styles of music. And not just great guitarists, but he played with singers like El Cigala, Alejandro Sanz, and with jazz pianists like Chick Corea. He has recorded several times with John McLaughlin and Al Di Meola, and appears in many of the recordings of legendary Flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla, the great Spanish singer-songwriter Jean Manuel Serrat, the popular singer Dyango and many others.

(John McLaughlin, Paco de Lucia, Al Di Meola)

To me, Paco de Lucia was…and his records still are…an inspiration. I saw him many times and I have missed him and will miss him always. His music, his compositions and his interpretations are phenomenal and considered as the finest in Flamenco and as well in jazz and really in any type of music that he played. Rest in peace…

Cheers…

And being that this great artist was a musician, I think it’s only fitting that I refer you to some of his best work to be found on YouTube:

23 Comentarios

  1. Avatar de weedjee weedjee dice:

    Grande es poco Mark Knopfler said “Paco’s the master of the guitar”…

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    1. Un maestro y el mejor, un gran artista y una belleza de persona. Gracias y un saludo.

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      1. Avatar de weedjee weedjee dice:

        Sin duda, lo confirmo. Un saludo

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  2. Avatar de equipsblog equipsblog dice:

    Good recap, Francisco.

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  3. Avatar de spwilcen spwilcen dice:

    Might come back to the video. It bothers me a little that the recording engineer was obviously a percussionist. In the first and second selections, rhythm overpowers the guitar. Event the exchanges where they in turn come to the fore are percussion-heavy. Nice listening to a musical form I’ve always enjoyed, but troublesome in that respect.

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    1. Yes, I agree, he did overpower the percussion. But there are many more videos, I recommend the one he did in San Francisco with Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin, smashing good virtuosity and also great rhythms. Cheers my friend and all the best.

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  4. Avatar de Easymalc Easymalc dice:

    I totally agree with him being in your Great Artists series Francesc. Absolutely wonderful.

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    1. Yes, definitely a great artist. Thank you Malc. Hey, I’ll be leaving in 10 days to the US to visit friends, so I may not be around as often but I’ll check in, especially from there, so take good care.

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      1. Avatar de Easymalc Easymalc dice:

        Obviously I’ll be in touch before then, but I hope you have a great time over there.

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      2. Yes, we’ll be in touch before then, but thank you Malc. I’ve not been there for more than three years, so it will be a nice trip.

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  5. Avatar de beth beth dice:

    thank you for introducing him to me –

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    1. I think you’re going to like his music and you can check out other YouTube videos especially with Paco, Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin.

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  6. I can tell…he soon will be a favorite when I’m painting, in the shop, or doing any activity where I can actively listen! Thanks for the share!

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    1. In glad to hear that. I’m sure you will like his music, he’s pretty amazing. I listen to him a lot when I’m painting. Thank you and all the best!

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      1. Thanks 🙏🏻

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  7. Avatar de Brad Osborne Brad Osborne dice:

    One of the absolute best! His improvisational skills are unparalleled. Thanks for sharing, my friend!

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    1. You’re so right Brad! Thank you so much!

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  8. Avatar de spwilcen spwilcen dice:

    Well worth returning to the video and skipping forward a bit. Bravo, Senor De Lucia! (Bravo, Senor Cabrerra!)

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    1. Sounds great Espie! Thank you!

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  9. Avatar de janetsm janetsm dice:

    I love guitar music like this. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Paco de Lucia this afternoon! Thanks for sharing this music and the information about him. It was all new to me.

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    1. Thank you Janet. His virtuosity on the guitar is legendary but his ability to play rhythms and the different styles correctly make his songs a real pleasure to listen to. I am so glad you liked it. All the best and a Happy Sunday to you!

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