A Charo Recital

"And you made me happier / Than Dolly Parton's guitar" (Lee Hazlewood)

"Malaguena will get you in every time." (Keth Richards)

Lately about our home here in the 'Holler full of musicians, we've been enjoying and studying all kinds of guitar playing styles, and my sweetie particularly likes the fantastic classical flamenco guitar playing of Maria del Rosario Mercedes Laura Jennifer Pilar Martinez Molina Baeza; of course we mean Charo for short. Why she would need to change such a convenient showbiz handle is still a mystery.

I suppose that it's pretty well known now that she is one of the world's top classical guitar players. She was lucky enough, after all, to study under Andres Segovia from an early age ( he taught music around her birthplace of Murcia, Espana, as a community service ). A colorful, flamboyant and outspoken personality, her musical ability is easily eclipsed by her overall showmanship. She has indeed come a long was since being brought to the states under the wing of her famous then-husband Xavier Cugat. After the jump you can find two video recitals ( from 1988 ) of the one and only Charo on the gut-string classical axe.

   

Comments

[mackdaddyg]

You know, until I saw these clips, all I knew about Charo was her "kootchie kootchie" schtick a la "Hollywood Squares." I'm pleasantly surprised to see that she plays guitar....quite well!

Thanks for changing my perspective with these clips.