CARMEN: Fandangos In Space / Dancing On A Cold Wind

Cover	Release	Style
	2006-10 (1973/1974)	Progressive folk rock
	Label
	Angel Air
	Website
	www.fandangosinspace.com
	Contact
	-
	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	45:59	SJPCD229
	Review by	Rating
	Edwin	9/10
nederlands	Review
CARMEN? Never heard of them… You’ll have to forgive me for that – I was just about 6 or 7 years old when these albums were originally released, and you’ll have to admit this band hasn’t left much of a legacy. This doesn’t mean that they weren’t an excellent example of early progressive music, and even a quite original one at that. Or just how many bands can you mention that combined progressive rock with flamenco music? There couldn’t have been that many back then, I would guess… CARMEN was built around the American brother & sister duo of David and Angela Allen, who grew up in the flamenco restaurant of their father and mother, a flamenco guitarist and dancer respectively. They were later joined by Spanish dancer/vocalist Roberto Amaral and by the time of the recording of their debut album, the line-up was completed by drummer Paul Fenton and bassist John Glascock (who would later join JETHRO TULL). Imagine the ‘Señor Velasco’-part of SPOCK’S BEARD’s ‘The Light’, combined with some MOODY BLUES, PROCOL HARUM, DAVID BOWIE and touches of JETHRO TULL and GENTLE GIANT. This might give you a bit of an idea of what CARMEN sounded like, although, in all fairness, nothing can prepare you for the delight which are these albums. Now, if Spanish guitars, flamenco taps, handclaps, and castanets remind you too much of the kind of lame Latino pop that is invading the charts nowadays, don’t worry. CARMEN shows you how to perfectly integrate these sounds into rock music. And this is not just a gimmick. CARMEN’s music ranges from catchy and danceable rhythms to intimate, emotional moments and hard rocking pieces – maybe not quite as complex as many other progressive rock bands of the time, but with more than enough rhythm and mood changes and instrumental prowess to make any prog rock fan happy. Listen to stunning songs like ‘Tales Of Spain’, ‘Fandangos In Space’ and the hauntingly beautiful ‘Sailor Song’ (on Fandangos In Space) and tell me why these shouldn’t be counted among the very best prog rock of the era. The second album, Dancing On A Cold Wind, has some equally dazzling moments. With two flamenco dancers in the line-up (Angela and Roberto) the band was able to put on quite a show live as well. Yet, despite opening for bands like RUSH, ELO, SANTANA and JETHRO TULL, they never made it big, and the band split up in 1975. It is a shame CARMEN always remained an underground band – these albums prove they were more than good and original enough to achieve greater success. At least now we have the re-release of these albums now to commemorate this highly innovative band. The re-release of the third and last album should follow in 2007.
Musicians
“Fandangos In Space”: David Allen: vocals, guitar Roberto Amaral: vocals, vibraphone, footwork, castanets Angela Allen: vocals, mellotron, synth, footwork John Glascock: bass Paul Fenton: drums “Dancing On A Cold Wind”: David Allen: guitar, vocals Angela Allen: vocals, keyboards Roberto Amaral: vocals, percussion David Katz: violin Paul Fenton: drums John Glascock: bass Mary Hopkin: vocals Chris Karan: percussion Tony Visconti: wind
Tracklist
CD1: “Fandangos In Space”: Bulerias Bullfight Stepping Stone Sailor Song Lonely House Poor Tarantos Looking Outside (My Window) Tales Of Spain Retirando Fandangos In Space Reprise CD 2: “Dancing On A Cold Wind”: Viva Mi Sevilla I’ve Been Crying Drifting Along She Flew Across The Room Purple Flowers Table Two For One She’s Changed Gypsy Girl (Caravan) The City Time (She’s No Lady People Dressed In Black Dancing On A Cold Wind The Horseman She’s Changed (Conclusion) Quiriquitu (Bonus track) Out On The Street (Bonus track)
Discography
Fandangos In Space (1973) Dancing On A Cold Wind (1974) The Gypsies (1975)


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