Let’s get in the mood straight from home with music of Spain. These atmospheric records are my ultimate source of inspiration…
Music of Spain at home
Ever since my posts about virtual travels , romantic Spanish songs, and Spanish Christmas music I was eager to share with you, dear readers, more moody melodies and Spanish rhythms. In one of my recent newsletters, I’ve also confessed to you that we’ve finally restored an old record player, which was in my husband’s family since the 70s. We´ve also inherited with it a few vintage vinyl records belonging to my parents in law.
Nevertheless, I’ve recently dedicated quite a few weekends to exploring local Spanish record stores, especially in the nearest city of Valencia. Therefore, from now on you can expect more authentic vinyl shops on my IG stories, as I plan to keep on hunting for new inspiring records during my future Spanish road trips.
Atmospheric Spanish Records
While we all agree that Spain is colourful and vibrant in every possible way, Spanish music is the best cultural insider one might possibly find. The music of Spain is often associated with flamenco motives from Andalusia, glorious pasodoble, and charming Spanish guitar. Nevertheless, the Spanish vibes are widely present in the world of international music. The “Spanish tinge” is still present in lots of genres from jazz to pop.
Sketches of Spain by Miles Davis
Let’s take for instance Sketches of Spain by Miles Davis. Post-war Americans had famously flocked to Paris, attacked by low rents and a more relaxed sexual morality. But in fact, just as many Americans gravitated towards Spain during those times, inspired by the Hemingway´s Siesta. Miles Davis fell in love with flamenco sometime between 1958 and 1959 after attending Spanish ballet in New York. Later on, he discovered the Spanish Saeta, a religious ode, and Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo. Miles Davis recorded 6 unique music pieces, borrowing different facets of the flamenco tradition for his Sketches of Spain.
Sevillanas
Sevillanas represent a type of folk music and dance of my favourite Sevilla region. While sevillanas are often confused with flamenco, this dance&music style was developed from Seguidillas of the Castile-La Mancha region around the XV century. It is a mix of different Spanish dance forms, influenced by flamenco as well. Sevillanas consist of music, song , and dance, and can be enjoyed during most of local fairs of Andalusia.
Music from Spain by Andre Kostelanetz
This record is one of the most complete pieces for those who seek to experience the full palette of motives in the music of Spain. It has a bit of everything: castanets, guitar, tap dance, church bells, pasodobles… Most of the songs are interpreted by Maralin Niska, one of the first sopranos of Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera.
El Empastre and Los Mejores Pasadobles
Pasodoble is one of the most popular motives of the traditional music of Spain. These two records have a few similar marches, but I’d say El Empastre is a more complete one.
“Paso doble” means “double step” or “two-step” in Spanish. This brisk paced music used to accompany the fast steps of the military marches and the bullfights. But since the 1930´s it became popular in France among the upper classes and amongst the English speaking society around the world. In Spain it was also played as a social dance.
Antologia de la Musica Valenciana by Jose Ferriz
As Spain is formed by so many different regions, most of which are known for their own language, lifestyle, and mentality – it’s always interesting to find lesser-known local music records. This vinyl record Antologia de la Musica Valenciana by Jose Ferriz even has a few song titles written in Valencian language performed by Valencia Municipal Music Band – Banda Municipal de Valencia (originally created back in 1903).
I’ve discovered this record in one of my favourite vintage stores Cha Cha Cha in Valencia (address: Carrer del Convent de Jerusalem, 11). It’s especially great for classical music, and antique Spanish, French, and Italian vinyl records.
What about you? Do you like vinyl records? If you know more atmospheric Spanish songs – please feel free to add them in the comments below, so that we can all discover more inspiring motives.
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