Howe Gelb & A Band of Gypsies
Back when Howe Gelb used to live in the desert, he only had three tapes he could listen to in his car: Tom Waits, Miles Davis and Tomatito, the virtuoso flamenco player.
Gelb has been shaping music throughout the years, both solo and as the leader of seminal alternative country pioneers Giant Sand. Many years later, a lucky combination of hazard and destiny found him jamming in eureka studios in Cordoba with some local musicians: Lin Cortés, El Panky and Añil, Ramos, Inma, Ángela, Rocío and Prin' La Lá.
Howe Gelb & A Band of Gypsies - “Alegrías” - 2011
Producer: Fernando Vacas
Label: eureka discos
Let’s redefine the meaning of crossover.
This new chapter sees Howe Gelb embellish a troop of flamenco playing gypsies, including the virtuoso guitarist Raimundo Amador (collaborated with Bjork and BB King) and is mixed by the legendary John Parish (PJ Harvey).
The album, recorded in Cordoba (Spain), sounds like absolutely nothing else you have ever heard before, yet it maintains the familiar flavor of the Arizona desert. It flows as naturally as if it had always been there, waiting for someone to grasp its pieces and put them together.
Many have tried to blend flamenco with their native style without success, which makes 'Alegrías' more than a coming together of music. 'Alegrías' is an event, a special moment captured by a collection of musicians who have been graced with the fortune of seamlessly marrying the rich flamenco rhythms to Howe Gelb's own unique sound.
Maintaining the familiar taste of the Arizona desert that Howe has cultivated over the years, both solo and with Giant Sand, his sound embraces new shades that blend with the beats of flamenco as opposed to exist alongside, inspired by Howe's memories of the Tucson desert, painted with the sound of favourites Tom Waits, Miles Davis and Tomatito.
Recorded atop a Cordoba roof with his 'Band Of Gypsies' in the Andalucía sun, 'Alegrías', is an exceptional new work from Howe Gelb. The record enjoyed considerable success in Spain due in part to the wondrous contribution from flamenco guitar virtuoso Raimundo Amador.
Howe encountered this record by chance after travelling to Cordoba, where he met Fernando Vacas. What started as an organic coming together of minds soon enjoyed input from local flamenco musicians that led to the exploration of uncharted territory somewhere between American roots rock, southern and border, and the purest flamenco.
Cordoba is the same city mentioned by Obama in a speech as an example of tolerance and a crossing of different cultures living together. Arabs, Jews and Christians have lived together in Cordoba for centuries and the town retains a certain magic atmosphere you can’t find anywhere else.
The gypsies didn’t speak English, but they could play Spanish guitar and cajon like only drunk devils can. Howe doesn’t speak Spanish, apart from a few useful words he learnt by the Mexican border, but he’s got a grainy voice that disarms any listener, and started playing piano in a way the gypsies had never seen. They all instantly fell in love with each other and played for hours without end.
Words didn’t work, but glances and chords did the job. That same night, in the room downstairs in the eureka studios, Howe wrote four new songs inspired by the intensity of the moment.
Videos for Howe Gelb & A Band of Gypsies - “Alegrías”
Songs From The Secret Garden: Howe Gelb and A Band of Gypsies - Cowboy Boots on Cobble Stone
Press of Howe Gelb & A Band of Gypsies - “Alegrías”
Nominations
2012 - MIN Awards. Best flamenco production.
2012 - UFI Awards. Best musical production.
2012 - Amigo SGAE Awards. Best flamenco fusion album.