Rafael Nogales Flamenco Master Part I

This slide show with audio is one of a series that will document, in a small way, the playing of then 61 year-old Rafael Nogales, one of the old time masters of Flamenco guitar and its many complexities. The audio portion was recorded at Paulino Bernabe's guitar shop one night in Madrid in 1971. The pictures were taken at the same time. Nogales was trying out one of Paulinos Flamenco guitars at the time. The sheer energy that he exhibited while playing was a lesson in passion and dedication to his chosen art. Nogales style of playing was not for the faint of heart. Both Nogales and Paulino can be heard talking and on this track, Nogales can actually be heard singing a few short verses of Tarantas. Unfortunately the proper respect was not shown for this great artist and the noise level from the 6 or 7 others present (tourists such as I am) is irritating. That said, there is still more than enough to warrant listening to this great guitarist to hear him play in relaxed and friendly surroundings. Guitarists will have a chance to hear him noodling around and doing some amazing runs. When I asked him about his left hand speed, he replied that when he was a child, he had played violin and developed the left hand technique that was so effective in his later guitar playing. Nogales was one of the first to actually dedicate himself to teaching Flamenco guitar early on and his legacy survives in the form of his many publications of his method and the many students he taught. What you hear are probably the first (and last) recordings of him since 1932 when he was featured on several 78s.