The Art of Flamenco
by Donn Pohren
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Book Summary Information
Author: Donn PohrenEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-06-16
ISBN: 0933224028
Number of pages: 366
Publisher: Bold Strummer Ltd.
Book Reviews of The Art of Flamenco
Book Review: A classic reissued
Summary: 4 Stars
WARNING: EDITIONS
This review applies to the 4th printing of the book (c. 2004), but it may also appear in listings for other editions. In the latter case, only the remarks about "Background" and "Contents" apply. In particular, the remarks about photographic quality do not apply to earlier editions.
BACKGROUND
Born and raised in Wisconsin and trained as a cultural anthropologist, David George devoted himself for many years to the culture of Andalusia and particularly of the Gypsies; and the present volume was for many years one of the few authoritative books available in English. Like its contemporaries, The Art of Flamenco, The Wind Cried and The Flamencos of Cadiz Bay, it is unlikely to be rivalled or superseded by any new account, for the way of life it documents is fast vanishing, indeed has already vanished in many places.
According to the note at the beginning, David George (or, if applicable, his estate) has disappeared from view; so if you have any information, please contact the publishers:
Bold Strummer
110C Imperial Avenue
Westport, CT 06880-2037
USA
CONTENTS
There is a good deal of interesting information on the Gypsies, their history and their music, much of it narrated in apparently verbatim transcriptions of conversations. Mr George is a gifted writer, and his accounts are full of life and atmosphere. Likewise, there is much about the history and construction of the flamenco guitar (although this is not a manual).
But the centrepieces, if you will, of this book are two interviews: with the luthier Manuel Reyes -- one of the truly great constructors of guitars -- and with the now-legendary guitarist Diego del Gastor. I found them fascinating, even though I've already read a great deal about both men. Particularly entertaining are Diego's views on the hoards of students arriving in Mor?n every year for lessons.
Much of the most interesting information in the book is in the end-notes, which compose fully 38 of its 131 pages. This makes for rather awkward reading, but it's worth it.
PRESENTATION
This, the 4th printing, is a reproduction of the original of 1969. I have to say that the quality of the reproduction is not good, being about equivalent to that of a fax. The technical quality of the photographs is even worse -- not even as good as one could find in an average newspaper.
The economics of republishing a book such as this -- for what must surely be a relatively small market -- are outside my area of competence. But if Mr George is unavailable, so too (presumably) are the originals of his photographs, and one must do one's best with what remains. Certainly it would be a pity to let a fine book such as this go out of print, and I recommend it despite its reproductive shortcomings.
Note: This edition is not updated, as Amazon's Product Info states: it is a reprint.
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