Pepe Martinez - Self-titled Album

Back Cover Notes

Pepe Martinez vino al mundo en el sevillanísimo barrio de la Macarena, el 8 de septiembre de 1923. Su madre, Isabel, muy conocida y estimada por su forma de Interpretar saetas, sentia una gran afición hacia todo lo flamenco; afición que procuró inculcar a su hijo.

Para ello, cuando PEPE tenía once años, le compró una guitarra, que él acogió como el más entretenido de los juguetes, pero que se le iba a convertir en una pesadilla y un obstáculo que le separaba de sus juegos y amigos. Así transcurrieron dos años, al cabo de los cuales falleció su madre, y PEPE no volvió a acordarse de la guitarra. Fue, sin embargo, al trasladar su domicillio al flamenquisimo barrio de la Alameda de Hércules -tenía entonces diecisiete años-, cuando se sintió picado por el gusanillo de la afición y entonces... se entregó de lleno.

Habia olvidado por completo lo que cuatro años antes aprendió; pero ayudado por su tesón, su fino oído y una autodisciplina que el medio ambiente alentaba, llegó a conseguir una gran habilidad, y al cabo de un año solamente pudo efectuar su aparición en público. Empezó entonces actuando como profesional en distintas compañías de flamenco.

A los veinticinco años tuvo oportunidad de tomar contacto con Ramón Montoya, por el que siempre había sentido una gran admiración, realizando con él dos giras artísticas, que fueron una auténtica y fecunda cosecha de enseñanzas.

Posteriormente, PEPE obtuvo una gran reputación entre las principales figuras del cante como acompañante destacado. Entre otros muchos, se pueden citar a Pepe Marchena, Manuel Vallejo, Juanito Valderrama, Niña de los Peines, Pepe Pinto, Niña de la Puebla, Canalejas, Cepero, Niña de la Huerta, etc., quienes le solicitaron repetidamente.

Desde hace ocho años, y dado el incremento que la guitarra flamenca de concierto ha adquirido en todo el mundo, PEPE MARTINEZ se dedica por entero a ello.

Todos los años visita Inglaterra, en una gira de tres meses, invitado por las principales Universidades del país, Centros Culturales, Escuelas de Arte y Música, B.B.C. y T.V. Está considerado como el pionero de la guitarra flamenca en Inglaterra, donde hay una gran afición, y tiene discipulos muy notables y aventajados.

En Francia ha celebrado conciertos en París y Lyon y actuado en Televisión.

NOTA.-Este disco se ha grabado con guitarra de Arcángel Fernández (Madrid), especialmente fabricada para el artista, utilizando cuerdas Savarez (Francia). Como cosa curiosa para los aficionados, hay que añadir que se ha grabado este disco en el tono natural de la guitarra, no utilizando cejilla en ninguna de las plezas ejecutadas.

Pepe Martinez - Self-Titled Album - Flamenco Guitar

Vinyl Details:

Label: Decca C 7811
Country: Spain
Released: 1973
Genre: Flamenco

Side 1:

01 Rocio Hermoso (Sevillanas)
02 Caminos Malaguenos (Malaguena)
03 Panaderos Flamencos
04 Zapateado En Re (Zapateado)
05 Fuente Del Moro (Zambra)

Side 2:

01 Andalucia (Fantasia Espanola)
02 Rondena (Aires de Levante)
03 Aires Navidenos (Campanilleros)
04 En El Camino Del Monte (Granadina)
05 De Cadiz A Colombia (Colombiana)

The Incredible Paco Pena

The Incredible Paco Pena - Flamenco

Vinyl Details:

Label: Contour 6870 508
Country: UK
Released: not stated
Type: Reissue
First Released: 1968
Genre: Flamenco

Side 1:

01 Soleares
02 Alegrias
03 Tarantas
04 Tientos
05 Bulerias

Side 2:

01 Cantinas
02 Granadinas
03 Fandangos
04 Zapateado 

Pepe Martinez - The Lyrical Guitar Of

Back Cover Notes

Pepe Martinez, who was born in Seville on September 8th, 1922, had a signal honour bestowed upon him in May, 1961. The City of Cordoba presented a Festival of Cante Flamenco and paid national homage to the great flamenco singer, Nina de los Pienes. Naturally, she was asked to sing (despite her age) and although there were a number of flamenco guitarists of note ready and willing to play for her, she requested Pepe Martinez to accompany her. A fine and fitting tribute to this great player.

My first meeting with Pepe Martinez was at his instigation. I had written an article about flamenco guitarist Nino Ricardo, in which he said that one of his pupils had been Pepe Martinez, and Pepe wanted to meet me to prove how impossible this was. "There are," says Pepe Martinez, "two main styles of flamenco guitar playing. One style personified by Ramon Montoya, all-time master of the lyrical style or Flamenco lyrico, and the other the fast and furious tearaway style of Nino Ricardo, which has caught on with the younger players."

There is no need, after listening to this recording, to see which style he favours. Not only is he a master of this style but he plays it with 'heart'. Of feeling, Pepe says, "Sabicas, who was born in Pamplona, is a great artiste. Everything he plays is clean and perfect; in fact, the complete player. But I wish he had been born in Seville or at least Andalusia". There is something about the heritage of Seville that seems to add something. That airé of flamenco. Airé is a difficult word to describe and the dictionary certainly misses the real meaning when it says 'aspect, gait'. It could be described as meaning that extra poise or piquancy that adds the final sparkle to greatness.

Listen to the very first track "Rumores Trianeros", a Bulerias, and it is immediately apparent that what is so breathtaking is this very aire which immediately captivates you. Pepe does not use technique as an end but as a means to transmit a feeling which breathes life into the music. "Panadero Flamenco" is an old Sevillana which contains all the charm of a courtly gavotte in spite of being called "The Flamenco Baker" (Pandero).

Still more historic and ancient is the origin of Fantacia Galicia. Galicia is a Spanish north-west province once occupied by the ancient Greeks who sang their odes to the accompaniment of the lyre. The Portuguese-Galician lyrical school flourished with great vigour, producing a notable body of troubadour love poems in the vernacular. The selection probably has its origin in the 13th century and part of the Fantasy is slightly tinged with Moorish as well as the other cultures.

The lilt of the "Garrotin" is absolutley charming and the swing of the Sevillana "De Sevilla al Rocio" will make you want to dance, no matter how you feel.

"Andalucia", otherwise known as 'The Breeze and I', is played in a style that can only be described as 'it fits like a glove'. One cannot imagine any other arrangement being suitable after hearing this one.

The Brazilian "Xodo de Baiana", title one of Side 2, comes as a thrilling and rhythmic surprise especially the damped effect. "Romance Anomino" is included because it is one of Pepe's most requested pieces at concerts.

"Cante Jondo", or Deep Song, cannot be better portrayed than by the deep intensity of feeling with which Pepe plays the Seguria, "De Utrera a Triana".

For the quality and production of this L.P. I must sincerely thank Johnny Gregory who, with the assistance of Dag Fjellner, his engineer at the Ryemuse Studios, London, devoted unstinted time and talent to make the quality of guitar reproduction the best to date.

Ivor Mairants

The Lyrical Guitar Of Pepe Martinez - Flamenco

Vinyl Details:

Label: Fontana TL 5207
Country: UK
First Released: 1964
Genre: Flamenco

Side 1:

01 Rumores Trianeros (Bulerias)
02 Brisas del Guadaira (Solea con Bulerias)
03 Aires de Guanabacoa (Guajira)
04 Panadero Flamenco (Panadero)
05 Campanilleros (Flamenco Christmas Song)
06 Andalucia (Homenaje a Lecuona)

Side 2:

01 Xodo da Baiana (Brazilian Choro)
02 De Sevilla al Rocio (Sevillana)
03 Garrotin
04 Romance Anonimo
05 De Utrera a Triana (Seguiriya)
06 Fantacia Gallicia