Arcángel, flamenco cantaor. Presentation of ‘Ropavieja’. Special Feature

“On this album I give free rein
to improvisation and searching”

Carlos Sánchez. Seville, December 2006

The third album by Huelva-born cantaor Arcángel is already out on the market. ‘Ropavieja’ is the new record by one of the most promising flamenco artists seen in recent years. This album, whose title refers to a typical dish put together using the stew which used to be made in homes, opens up a new road under Cádiz-born producer Isidro Muñoz. The cantaor provided the details on the new album at the presentation which was held in Seville on December 5th.

Arcángel (Photo: Antonio Cid)

In this new record experience Arcángel has attempted to go beyond conventionalities, putting together an album far removed from traditional patterns, but trying to draw up closer to his audience. The young artist explained that “this album is a record far removed from the conventional. It’s very well-wrought, with a lot of hours put into it, and with it I try and express the personality or way I now see cante with. Here, I give free rein to improvisation and searching for something. It faithfully reflects what I do live. That’s why I wanted to surround myself with the musicians I usually work with day to day such as guitarists Miguel Ángel Cortés and Daniel Méndez”.

Isidro Muñoz, serenity

The production work has been very toilsome, and in that sense, Arcángel wanted to point out that “I’ve learned a great deal with Isidro Muñoz and he’s contributed many things to me. It was really hard for me to adapt to his way of working. What I saw as jumbled was in order in his mind. It’s incredible to watch how he works at the studio and tells you where each note and each percussion go. There were a lot of moments when we looked at each other in the face and were a little blocked, but we were able to keep on pushing ahead. Isidro gave us a lot of calmness and serenity when we saw that we were running behind schedule. I’m really happy with his work. He’s a great person and a great artist”.

The album consists of twelve songs, some of which are easy listening and others that are livelier. The lyrics and music are taken care of by Isidro Muñoz himself, though Arcángel also authors some of the compositions. It’s also highlighted by the fresh harmonizing of guitarists Daniel Méndez and Miguel Ángel Cortés. And the collaborations stand out of percussionists Piraña, Antonio Coronel, Pakito González and Agustín Diaserra; and the choruses by Sandra Carrasco, Marce and Rafa Fernández. The clapping is done by Taruguito, Tito Quirós, Malospelos, Carlos Grilo, El Bo and Luis Cantarote.

‘Ropavieja’ by Arcángel, track by track Carlos Sánchez. Seville, December 2006 Arcángel (Photo: Antonio Cid)         ‘Tita María’ The single opening the album is entitled ‘Tita María’, tangos very much Isidro Muñoz’s style. “It’s a song with funny lyrics. It’s for enjoyment and to win over people out there. Listen to audio clip ‘Hay días que…’ The second song on the record doesn’t correspond to any flamenco style. It’s a melodic song with deep lyrics and is subject to fast fandango or slow bulería rhythm, depending on how you look at it. Listen to audio clip ‘A qué sabe la vida’ Traditional-style alegrías but with today’s harmonies. Listen to audio clip ‘Humeaban las chozas’ / ‘Jacaranda’ The first is a trilla harmonized by contemporary composer Mauricio Sotelo. The second is a seguiriya sung to the beat, the old-fashioned way. Listen to audio clip ‘Revoleras’ Jerez-style bulerías, with clapping and cheering. ‘Calle Sanlúcar’ The seventh song, ‘Calle Sanlúcar’, is fandangos dedicated to a street in El Rocío, since this album was recorded between the marshes and Seville. ‘A temprano’ ‘A temprano’ is a classical taranta. ‘Carita de chocolate’ Bulerías with suggestive lyrics and a rhythm where the compás isn’t obvious, but rather is sensed. ‘Mucho mejor te amo’ ‘Mucho mejor te amo’ is a bolero, as the Huelva-born cantaor concludes.

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