In 1975, before Franco’s death, several albums were released which brought a wind of change. But “Nuevo Día”, by Lole and Manuel, was a hurricane. Fifty years later, Manuel Molina is no longer with us. But Lole Montoya is still active –a … in his own way, because he doesn’t let himself be seen much either – and this Sunday he will celebrate the anniversary of this first recording by singing his best songs to close the sixth edition of the Vallecas Flamenco Show, “Flamenka Looks”which pays homage to the duo and the revolution they brought to the genre.
What do you think of the concert series and exhibition they organized in your honor?
It’s a beautiful thing. There is a whole life there! There are some very beautiful photos of our rehearsals, playing at home by the fire… When I saw the exhibition, I started crying with emotion and everything.
What do you remember from those days?
I remember it was very new, I remember feeling like we were creating something new, being very excited about what we were doing for flamenco. And above all I remember having fun. It was another time when music was just fun for us.
Were they not afraid of the way in which their Flemish revolution would be received?
Before recording the album, we did a few performances and we had already seen people’s desire to listen to new and different things. When the album came out, we achieved something that goes way beyond fame and money. It was something deeper. This was the first step for flamenco to begin to open up. Flamenco had almost always been done in pain, and we let in a little light and joy, which is what the Spanish wanted at that time, because this spirit of change was already being felt. I would like Spain to return to the attitude it had back then.
“I want to release an album of covers of Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Antonio Machín”
The purists did not have this open mind.
No, they didn’t understand us. They didn’t understand what we were singing or what we looked like. The same thing happened with subsequent albums. Then came Camarón de la Isla with “La Leyenda del Tiempo”, but we had already invented the new flamenco. I wish someone would do something new now, so I can learn too (laughs).
It is said that Rosalía did something new with flamenco.
I still haven’t been able to listen to their latest album, as I struggled with everything that was organized for this anniversary. I know she really likes flamenco, I saw her play a little while clapping, she knows how to sing bulería… but what she does has already been done. This does not revolutionize flamenco. He opened a series of paths under the influence of many people.
What plans do you have for the future?
I recorded a series of songs, versions of classics by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Antonio Machín, who also had a very beautiful way of singing, and I would like someone to publish it.
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