Spain (Part III)

Finding "Spain" in the overall scope of my musical digestion, uncovered a backward evolution to re-discover a profound array of sounds that have directly shaped my tastes. I was moved early on to find and explore new music, genres and artists. However, this process, and these things are never-ending, revolving, re-generative layers that never seem to vanish even as you peel them back. I could probably dedicate an entire blog to "Spain", as it has legs that move in so many directions and so quickly....

I will spare everyone that agony, but for the record, I don't even believe I've done this explanation justice in words. So, in an attempt to "wrap up" this extended thought and self-proclaimed "journey", I will expound less, and try to touch on the as many of the events that have unfolded in and around this tune (that I can re-call). As always, I encourage you to seek out all of the music mentioned!

I got wrapped up in the UK show "Classical Star", a take on "American Idol", but with insanely talented classically trained kids. I watched every single episode and the one guitar player, ended up in the finals! Wohoo! (See Ovation or BBC as they do re-run the series)

He chose Rodrigo's Concerto De Aranjuez for his final piece. This piece of music, is the basis for the adapted "Spain". The changes are directly taken from this famous piece of music, and Corea does a masterful job referencing and adapting the tune.

Here is a close friend in the family tree to Corea, Paco DeLucia performing the piece. I urge you to watch "Classical Star" if they re-run it on the Ovation or BBC channels. Also, I urge you to seek out the "un-embeddable" Pepe Romero version on Youtube. I also enjoy both Romero, and John Williams' recorded versions.





If you like this music, and jazz at the same time, you should set aside some time to listen to Miles Davis' "Sketches of Spain" on which he tackles the same music, before Corea did. Recorded between 1959 and 1960, with conductor/arranger Gil Evans, Miles finds something special in Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez.

As posted earlier as well:



I then dove into as many versions of the tune as I could find, building my vocabulary and music collection. I studied each arrangement, some directly referencing Rodrigo, other's a straight derivation of Corea's arrangement. I studied the solos, harmonies, rhythms and patterns. I performed the song.

On a completely separate note, I had the opportunity to see Stevie Wonder LIVE! This was an obvious MUST, but cushioning his tightly arranged masterpiece hits were little tidbits of tradition, nodding to jazzmasters like Miles Davis and John Coltrane. It was certainly special, and smack in the the middle of his killer set, what did he launch into? You guessed it. See below!



Here - more or less, is a tiny cross-section of the Spain family tree, and the different avenues I have discovered because of it, or along the way. Really, this is a tiny cross-section...

"Spain"
-Chick Corea & Return to Forever
-Miles
-Chick Corea, Bela Fleck and Bobby McFerrin
-Larry Coryell and Al DiMeola
-Larry Coryell and Steve Kahn
-Stevie Wonder, Live
-Bireli Langrene
-Super Guitar Trio
-John McLaughlin and Paco DeLucia

Concierto de Aranjuez: II. Adagio
-Rodrigo
-Miles Davis, "Sketches of Spain"
-John Williams
-Paco DeLucia
-Pepe Romero
-Chick Corea

"In a Silent Way"
-Miles Davis
-Chick Corea
-John McLaughlin
-Santana
-Five Piece Band

"Black Orpheus"
-Larry Coryell
-Luis Bonfa
-Bill Evans
-"Bluesette"
-Toots Thielemans


"My Suede Little Shoes"
-Charlie Parker
-Grant Green

Wes Montgomery
-Pat Metheny
-George Benson
-Larry Coryell
-Autumn Leaves, Four on Six, etc.
-Grant Green, "The Latin Bit"

Heitor Villa-Lobos
-Larry Coryell
-Etudes
-Concerto for Guitar
-John Williams
-Andres Segovia

And, now, here are some of the extensions for you to enjoy...

"Senor C.S." written by McLaughlin as tribute to friend Carlos Santana, here are the masters and of course Chick...who started this whole mess in the first place...




More with Corea and McLaughlin with the Five Piece Band...





More...



Even long after I fell in love with IT, it's a learning process that unfolds daily as a listener, writer, and as an artist; yesterday, today and forever....

Check out Parts I and II:


Pt.I

Pt.II

...and that's all I have to say about that.

What's your favorite "Spain?"

We WILL get there THIS WEEKEND (where? go back)....SPAIN!

Just some guyz ova heeere.....in ALL WHITE, like some kind of Vice Spain...and Dear Mr.Uncle Larry just raging....

I promise to wrap up this ridiculous "Spain" rant....and move on to more playlists for your pleasure and perfection, but this one song..has been an epic journey for me - and one that can lead you down "so many roads"...

Until "Spain: the Final Part"....
(secret note: each "Spain has a link to a version of Spain, check em out!)




Spain....Pt.1

Spain...Pt.2

To hold you over on this Holiday Monday...

Donny Hathaway from Donny Hathaway Live (a must have album)...

Lennon's tune is turned into a slow churner...soul burner...

Enjoy until the next playlist arrives! (And we're still on the long and winding road to Spain!)

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Enjoy Yourself!