They are one of those groups that are part of the popular culture of the Spanish 20th century. Like ours like the crémée, the aperitif, the zarzuela and the siesta, the Pecos are on tour after more than a decade of silence. They celebrate 45 years of career … and yesterday, in a white-haired and dedicated Vistalegre palace, they returned to Madrid, their home, dressed in their finest clothes. The story of Pedro and Javier Herrero Pozo, two brothers who succeeded before their beards grew, It is marked by musical comings and goings, separations, reunions and hymns of romantic music. All of us, in one way or another, because of a mother, a grandmother or a book, have talked about it.
They started very punctually with ‘Déjala’, an early anthem to female empowerment and ‘D’écum, de sable et de sel’, a fun shuffle with a double guitar solo. Then they greeted each other and Pedro, the composer of most of the songs, cried excitedly. There was applause, celebration and nostalgia from the first tender moment of the evening.
They continued with “For a second” and it seemed like a great song, maybe because it is, maybe because both brothers and part of the pavilion were on the verge of tears.
They are two old-fashioned singers, of meticulous gestures, charismatic in their sobriety and their few words. In reality, even if we leave this to psychoanalysts, they are timid. They are also attractive, as my tablemates constantly reminded them. “Beautiful!” they shouted enthusiastically, remembering the warm nights of another time. The songs are round, without leaps into the void or technical paranoia and the group of nine, made up of two guitars, two keyboards and three backing vocalists, surrounds them with elegance in the minimalism of their music.
In front of an acoustic medley, “La Chanson de Pilar”, written by Víctor Manuel for his muse, wife and collaborator, triumphed.
In the medley, seated at the edge of the stage, they performed several songs from the early years: “Juany”, “Y te vas” and “Memories”. It was the first time that the entire pavilion rose and the applause was longer.
following “My world”, with a superb solo from guitarist David Pedragosa, carat musician. Little Then the first notes of his big hit “Talk to Me About You” sounded and the ovation was loud and extended, with almost two minutes of applause.
The concert also served to confirm that in Spain, and especially for men, dancing is very bad. We have casts on our hips, we are arrhythmic and we lack grace in our movements; It comforted me to know that I am not alone.
The Pecos triumph in their reunion with Madrid
Coming goodbye “Mother” was played, a classic post-war ballad, “Un manantial de ternura”, with Andalusian accents, “Si tú los veras”, just as pop but more sophisticated and “Señor”, another simple, cheesy… and fantastic song. They said goodbye to him for the first time, before leaving to get tips, and my table neighbors seemed sad.
The end took place with “Acordes”, one of those that the whole country heard and a popular medley with the most applauded songs of the evening. Vistalegre jumped, sang and shouted with the brothers who, tearful and grateful, said goodbye. Outside, I waited for a dry and cold night. They gave away a penalty to Real Madrid, then another one was canceled and people celebrated both.
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