Song of the Week #37
Previously I had written a blog for this week’s Song of the Week, but that’s been pushed back for a month.
It’s actually pretty weird to be writing a SOTW on the Friday it’s due to come out. Normally they’re planned at least a week ahead, so I have ample time to check it over, so it makes sense, and have evidence that i’m not completely losing the plot.
However, as I said in SOTW#1 and indeed on the blurb intro to the section from the main page, the Song of the Week can often be what’s been spinning over at Sinner’s HQ, and for this week, it’s not just been Sinner’s HQ, but all over West Yorkshire. This Song of the Week has been stuck in my head since last Saturday, and finally at the time of writing (Friday 18th), this morning has finally broken the spell, but I couldn't miss the opportunity to let you into my fortress of solitude.
Most of the songs posted on here tend to be a variety of rock, but as mentioned previously I do have an adoration for all types of music, this being a step away from the norm for a week. Being a classical guitarist myself initially, I’ve always had a love for a Spanish-style piece of guitar work, from a simple malagueña to a masterpiece like Tango En Skai (if that happens to be your thing too, check out Miloš Karadaglić’s Latino Gold - it’s a fabulous cover of so many wonderful pieces). This week though, I’m focusing on one of my all time favourites, The Gipsy Kings.
I was lucky enough as a kid to see them live (at a NYE function funnily enough), and although best known for their cover of Hotel California and Bamboleo, their reach into mediterranean culture and their entire back catalogue is phenomenal. I defy you to find a Spanish coastal town in summer that won’t have one or two ‘seasoned’ gentlemen walking into restaurants with classical guitars covering some of the classics.
Nicolas Reyes’ and Tonino Baliardo’s skills on the guitar at times are sheer wizardry, sometimes not even for the lead work. The rhythm in so many of their songs is the entire key to the sound, and takes a boatload of practice to try and master (believe me I’ve tried); try and get the rhythm section to Volare to sound crisp and clean in your own hands, its chuffing hard work, and there is a specific technique to it all.
They say mastery in music is being able to play one note, and play it well - less is more, as it were. In this Song of the Week that I have been playing at every opportunity, it rings very true. The guitar break in the middle of the song, could go in any direction, they have the skillset to roll off any phrasing at any tempo that they please, but it takes a special gumption to simply choose to replicate the vocal line, almost emphasising the lyrics themselves, and from there, the song gradually crescendos to the finish - its a fantastic song (albeit a cover), and as I say, i’ve been trapped whistling it to myself all week. Call this a double love-based header for Valentine’s week. A Mi Manera. Enjoy!