Enrique Morente, 'El pequeño reloj' Conde Duque (Madrid)

Enrique Morente
'El pequeño reloj'

Past, present and Morente

Cante: Enrique Morente. Guitar: Pepe Habichuela, Niño
Josele, Manuel Parrilla.
Percussion: Bandolero. Bass: Alain Pérez.
Chorus and palmas: Angel Gabarre, Antonio Carbonell and el
Falo. Palmas and dance: Popo.

With his new record «El pequeño reloj»
on the market, Enrique Morente's concert in Madrid's Patio
Central de Conde Duque was the live presentation of this work,
but the singer from Granada didn't stop at that and offered
a proper recital without cutting any corners. He warmed up
with bulerías along with his whole group, followed
by alegrías and tientos from his record, and it was
just the aperitif from his new record, followed by soleá
and bulerías. Each theme with those personal musical
touches so characteristic of this singer, making the most
of his always original repertoire which appears never to reach
its limits or become repetitious.

But
these interpretations from his new work were superimposed
over the recorded guitar of Ramón Montoya and Manolo
de Huelva with whose help he once again demonstrated that
he is unmatched for his contribution to broadening the horizons
of the art of flamenco. To manage that accompaniment with
his live voice was admirable. With these guitars of the past
he sang rondeña, soleá and caña, then
mixing with the guitars of Niño Josele and Manuel Parrilla
for the title song of his record «El pequeño reloj»
['the little clock'] with Morente's masterful interpretation
of 'tic tac', the soleá and the policaña. His
antiwar piece was also impressive, with the melody of Beethoven's
Claro de Luna and showing off the full range of resources
almost like a flamenco opera.

A proper recital
without cutting any corners.

Enrique Morente's new record is a tribute to the guitar,
and the «master guitarist» as the singer called
guest artist Pepe Habichuela, appeared on stage. Together
they interpreted some beautiful alegrías and a seguiriya
where both plumbed the depths of emotion. Enrique Morente
sang everything well, giving each song just the right touch
and achieving great expressive power. The version of Machín's
«Tres Gardenias para ti» to bulerías was
noteworthy, and things like this undoubtedly cultivate a following.
The tangos «Vendiendo flores» from the record earned
the audience's applause and ended the performance.

His always original
repertoire which appears
never to reach its limits

Enrique Morente with Niño Josele

Past, present and a view to the future always blend in this
singer's work, but it's more obvious than ever in his new
record and in this recital where guitars of yesterday and
today combined with Alain Pérez' bass, choruses that
always make the perfect complement, and the dancing of Morente's
nephew Popo who shows great promise. All this and the singing
of his daughter Estrella with which Morente treated the Madrid
audience. Encouraged by her father she gave us some bulerías
executed with great artistic power, including songs with which
this young but great artist captivated the audience. At first
she was too overcome with emotion at her father's performance
to accept his invitation – Morente could not help but touch
the emotions of his own daughter with the undeniable mastery
once again on display with this recital.

Past, present and
a view to the future always
blend in this singer’s work.

Estrella Morente

The little clock on the wall said it had been over two hours
of concert, and with that the audience went home more than
satisfied.

Photos: Rafael Manjavacas Lara

Text : Sonia
Martínez Pariente

More information:

Interview
Enrique Morente – July 2003

Enrique Morente presents his latest record 'EL PEQUEÑO RELOJ'
After