It is sometimes said that to sing flamenco well
one must be at least forty years old, and while this rule
of thumb can hardly be considered absolute law, is does
contain a certain wisdom in its own rite, pointing to the
fact that this art form, though quite often cultivated in
the household from a very early age, can only be mastered
through years of diligence and with the maturity of age.
Indeed, Guadiana is a case and point. At 47, this "cantaor,"
who specializes in dance accompaniment, finds himself at
his peak, having forged a long yet steady road to get there.
Antonio Suarez Salazar--nom de guerre Guadiana, the river
that cross Extremadura, the countrie of the singer-is a
gypsy of Extremeduran lineage, brother to Ramon El Portugues
and nephew to Porrina de Badajoz. Though perhaps best known
for his participation with the dance company of Antonio
Canales, Guadiana boasts a long list of tours and appearances
with other such dancers as El Guito and La Tolea.
Prior to and since beginning his brilliant solo career,
Guadiana had and has collaborated in numerous important
recordings, not the least of which are that with Pepe Habichuela
and The Bollywood Strings--an east Indian fusion ensemble--and
the hugely successful "Chanson Flamenca." In fact,
it is on this very album that we can hear "El Extranjero"
("Le Meteque"), Georges Moustaki's timeless classic.
As a singer, Guadiana serves as an invaluable model for
our times, combining fresh ideas with precise and unfaltering
compas, all with conviction and ease.
Guadiana comes to us today accompanied by guitarists heir
to both to the great tradition of La Escuela de Cano Roto
(El Viejin, Caracolillo, Jesus Del Rosario, Camaron de Pitita)
and the more recent developments of the latest generation,
namely those of Los Parilla, Josemi Carmona and Nino Josele.
