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Queen of the Gypsies The Life & Legend of Carmen Amaya by
Paco Sevilla 402 pages-11 photos & 4 page index $34.95
The most incredible book, on more than just Carmen Amaya, on everyone in Flamenco. You'll read dozens of pages about Carmen, and then interjected will be biographical details of a singer, dancer or guitarist. There are so many anecdotes about everyone that I found it hard to set down. In fact, I've read it while practicing guitar at the same time. It's been called "the real 'Lives & Legends' " by my colleague Ron Fernandez - referring to the Donn Pohren book written in the '60's. Paco Sevilla who edited the Jaleo magazine in the '70-80's, has taken the information from several hundred sources, including interviews, with the warmest presentation one could want. He makes you feel like you're there, at the death of Ramon Montoya when the public lined up for blocks to view the body of the Maestro of Flamenco Guitar. Go with Carmen when she buys 3 fur coats or 7 fur stoles at once, or with the desperate aficianado who finds out tickets are sold out 3 months in advance of a 3 month long appearance at theatres in North and South America. Find out what Hollywood star sold her home to Carmen. Hear about the toll on Sabicas, who says they toured for 5 years straight, 49 weeks of each year. The details are so numerous on not less than 115 icons of the Golden Age of Flamenco. In a world of 5 stars this book deserves 6 stars. It will be a very long time, if ever for another book like this to come along. In stock 11 15 10
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