Carmen

Submitted by clive on Fri, 10/01/2010 - 16:27

 

Formed in 1973 in the USA, this 5 piece band skillfully melded a range of musical influences, most notably rock with (as might be surmised from their name) flamenco roots.  They made three highly regarded albums, "Fandangos in Space", "Dancing On A Cold Wind" and "The Gypsies", all of which are available for licensing.

"A unique band, Carmen combined flamenco music with progressive rock. Adding to their distinctiveness was the fact that during long instrumental passages, members of the band would dance on-stage, adding those sounds to the instrumental mix. Composed of Roberto Amaral (vocals, castanets), David Allen (guitar), his sister Angela Allen (keyboards), John Glascock (bass) -- who later worked with Jethro Tull -- and Paul Fenton (drums), Carmen's sound was focused on up-beat flamenco guitar with a strong rhythm section and subtle keyboards. Their first album, Dancing on a Cold Wind, was released in 1973 and featured the 23-minute epic "Remembrances (Recuerdos de Espana)." It was followed by Fandangos in Space in 1974. The quintet's final album was The Gypsies, released in 1975, a more restrained effort than previous releases." (AMG - Geoff Orens)

Albums:

Fandangos in Space (1974)

1. Bulerias
2. Bullfight
3. Stepping Stone
4. Sailor Song
5. Lonely House
6. Por Tarantos
7. Looking Outside (My Window)
8. Tales Of Spain
9. Retirando
10. Fandangos In Space
11. Reprise / Finale

Dancing on a Cold Wind (1975)

   1. Viva Mi Sevilla
   2. I've Been Crying
   3. Drifting Along
   4. She Flew Across the Room
   5. Purple Flowers
  Rememberances (Recuerdos de Espana):
   6. Table Two For One (Samba)
   7. She's Changed
   8. Gypsy Girl (Caravan)
   9. The City
  10. Time (She's No Lady)
  11. People Dressed in Black
  12. Dancing on a Cold Wind
  13. The Horseman
  14. Conclusion (She Changed)

The Gypsies (1975)

1. Daybreak
2. Shady Lady
3. High Time
4. Dedicated To Lydia
5. Joy
6. The Gypsies
7. Siren Of The Sea
8. Come Back
9. Margarita