Carmen Linares
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The current great lady of Flamenco singing. Her height, her elegance and her jondo wisdom have made her an inspiration and star in female vocals. Firm defender of flamenco's different shades and against established conventionalism Carmen Linares is uncomfortable defining herself in any specific way. As she herself says, there are too many good things to settle for just one.
 Are you born or bred to flamenco?
Both, you have to be born with certain things and then you have to learn, evidently.
What's your favourite palo?
The soleá.
What's the best thing about flamenco?
Living it, feeling it and making many people happy.
And the worst thing?
The politics involved, the racism towards it and that it doesn't receive the recognition it deserves.
How did flamenco enter your life?
Since I was born it's been part of my life. My father was a fan, since I can remember my father was playing the guitar and there would be singing at home.
Who is your idol?
I have many, many influences from the past, cantaores like D. Antonio Chacón, Vallejo, Marchena, la Niña de los Peines, Manuel Torre… and then I like more contemporary artists who I am very fond of like Camarón, Morente, Paco de Lucía, Manolo Sanlúcar… I don't have just one idol, you miss out on too much that way.
A flamenco corner
Andalusia definitely. There you can walk the streets and there are so many little squares and fantastic places, in any village you'll find a corner.
How do you feel when you sing?
Nervous and tense beforehand but then very good.
What do you need to inspire you?
Listen to a good guitar.
What is duende?
The chemistry established between the artist and the audience. Sometimes it appears, others it doesn’t.
Purity or fusion?
Both. Puirty is associated with the past and it's not the case. Purity is within each of us.
An essential album?
"Tauromagia" by Manolo Sanlúcar, "Omega" by Morente and "Almoraima" by Paco de Lucía. There's a lot of great stuff and it's good in its own way.
An essential artist?
I don't like to miss out on anything, I don't think you have to choose one. There are too many good things to settle for just one.
A must see film?
The last films I've seen, "Volver" and "Brokeback Mountain". I love the cinema.
A book?
It's difficult to choose just one.
A pastime?
Going to the cinema, walking, and travelling with my people.
A country with duende
Seville, Cordoba and Granada. And abroad Paris and Rome.
Advice for flamencos?
Not to keep to established things, to be led by their hearts.
Your greatest achievement
My family, my home and the respect of the fans.
Something left to do?
I have many things left to do in life.
Your greatest award
My family and my three children.
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