Carmen (rock band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Carmen


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Origin = U.S., UK
Genre = Progressive rock
Years_active = 1970–1975
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Past_members = David Clark Allen--vocals/guitars/keyboards
Angela Allen--vocals, flamenco dancing
John Glascock--electric bass, vocals
Paul Fenton--drums
Robert Amaral--flamenco dance, castanets

Carmen was a British-American band active from 1970–1975. Their style was a fusion of rock music and flamenco music and dance. While the band achieved some success in recording and performance, its greatest significance lies in later contributions of its members to relatively famous rock groups.

History

The group was founded by David Clark Allen, a Californian trained in flamenco guitar. Originally a seven-member band in Los Angeles, USA, the band in the early seventies relocated to London, England, where the personnel soon stabilized as a quintet.

In London, they became friendly with several rock stars of the time, including David Bowie. Marc Bolan, and Bryan Ferry. Obtaining the services of "uber"-producer Tony Visconti, released three albums: "Fandangos in Space" 1973, "Dancing on a Cold Wind" 1974. and "The Gypsies (album)" 1975. By early 1975 the band was enjoying its greatest success, playing as an opening act at concerts by Santana, Blue Öyster Cult, and Electric Light Orchestra, and touring for three months as opener for Jethro Tull. A series of unfortunate events then occurred while the group was recording 'The Gypsies' at Longview Farm. Paul Fenton seriously damaged his knee, stopping his career as a drummer for many years. Carmen and Tony Visconti ended their musical relationship, and the bands manager left. Carmen disbanded shortly after finishing their last album in 1975.

Music

Carmen's stage performances typically featured Amaral and Angela Allen dancing on a specially amplified stage floor, so that their flamenco zapateado became an integral part of the music. Additional Spanish influences in their sound included acoustic guitar interludes in flamenco style, occasional Spanish lyrics, themes of betrayed love reminiscent of Federico Garcia Lorca, and castanets--all supported by a traditional rock-and-roll rhythm section.

Further careers

David Allen continued to pursue a music career, writing songs for Agnetta of ABBA fame among others. In 1984 he was diagnosed with throat cancer and underwent surgery. He then reinvented his life, earning much acclaim as a photographer, first working in the field of erotic anthropology and then as a black and white family portrait specialist near London. The recent re-release of Carmen’s three albums, by Angelair, was the catalyst for David’s inspiration to make new music. His first album of new instrumental music in 30 years, released in the same package as 'The Gypsies' brought David into contact with renowned producer and mixer Larry Lush. The new album became the seed for a new band - Widescreen. David’s melodies, picking up much of the progressive flamenco rock flavour of Carmen’s music, Larry’s rhythmic arrangements, alchemical mixes and brilliant programming and Charlotte’s fiery European jazz violin give Widescreen's music its film score quality, music which falls somewhere between Sergio Leone and Nine Inch Nails.

Glascock joined Jethro Tull in 1975, and Angela Allen, his romantic partner at the time, contributed backing vocals on Tull's recording "Too Old to Rock & Roll, Too Young to Die." Their relationship ended shortly after, and in 1979, at the age of 28, Glascock's life sadly was cut short due to complications caused by a congenital heart condition. Angela Allen currently resides in London and still continues to sing, recently contributing vocals for the Widescreen album.

Paul Fenton was badly injured in a fall from a horse around the time of Carmen's break-up. He had already built a career for himself as a drummer outside of Carmen, in particular working with Marc Bolan's T-Rex; he's currently playing in a Bolan tribute band.

Roberto Amaral has returned to traditional flamenco, performing and teaching in Los Angeles. He has also formed a musical production company.

Discography

* 1974 Fandangos in space
* 1975 Dancing on a cold wind
* 1976 The Gypsies (album)

The first two albums were re-issued by Angel Air records as a 2 CD set in October 2006. Carmens' third album -The Gypsies - was re-issued by Angel Air records in May 2007, also as a 2 CD set. The second CD is entitled 'Widescreen' and contains new instrumental music by David Clark Allen. [A review of this 2CD set is available [http://www.getreadytorock.com/reviews2007/carmen2.htm here] . ] Widescreen has now become the new musical project of David, the founder of Carmen. The band - David, Larry and Charlotte - brought their cinematic electroflamenco musical vision straight into last year’s La Linea Festival where they opened for the Buena Vista Social Club, Elias Ochiades and Ojos de Brujo. Widescreen is a fiery, passionate remix of Carmens unique musical style.

References

Links

[http://www.studiowner.com/essays/essay.asp?books=0&pagnum=82| Studio owner's Carmen memories.]