Objective critics?
Few people are interested in a good critic, by experts with extensive life experiences. They only care about cheap praise, flattery, no matter from where or by whom. If on top of that, critics are supposed to be objective and hide their personal feelings and preferences, then there’s no way…
I always believed that flamenco critics should be objective, until I met Enrique Morente and realized that I could not possibly be objective. I liked Enrique too much to conceal my thrill and admiration for his work. These days I seldom write critics, as I focus on opinion articles or the odd interview. I often get CDs for review, which sometimes I don’t even open, because I can imagine their content. I don’t mind listening to the humblest aficionados in peñas or bars, but I can’t stand getting a CD of someone who doesn’t know how to sing or who imitates Paco de Lucía when playing the guitar.
An album should only be recorded when there is something new to contribute or if the artist is very good performing the traditional model. That is, I still have an interest in cantaores or cantaoras who have talent to sing well and, besides, are able to innovate. There aren’t many like that, it’s true, but there are always artists who may give us a pleasant surprise.
«Artists like to be praised, regardless if it’s by some blogger or Facebook poster who has no clue about flamenco.»
I seldom go to theaters because there’s not much to tell, frankly. If on top of that I have to pay for it, there’s no point at all. Flamenco critic started to die when just anyone could be a critic writing in the social networks. People would write critics in their Facebook wall or in some blog hoping to get free admittance in the shows of the Bienal, as simple as that. Some artists have complained about this, but not many, because artists in general like to be praised, regardless if it’s by some blogger or Facebook poster who has no clue about flamenco.
If artists don’t get praised by the critics, no problem, they get glowing reviews from their spouses, a sister in Ibiza or their in-laws. They may have 1200 friends in Facebook and that makes them feel they’re famous the world over. That’s why I gave up writing critics of albums or shows, because few people are interested in a good critic, by experts with extensive life experiences. They only care about cheap praise, flattery, no matter from where or by whom. If on top of that, critics are supposed to be objective and hide their personal feelings and preferences, then there’s no way…
Translated by P. Young
