Camarón de la Isla
With the death from lung cancer of Camarón de la Isla (born José Monge Cruz) on July 2, 1992, flamenco lost one of its greatest vocalists. The son of a basket-maker, de la Isla revolutionalized the flamenco tradition with his contemporary-minded approach. His debut 1969 album, Con la Colaboracion Especial de Paco de Lucia, recorded with the accompaniment of virtuosic guitarist Paco de Lucia, remains one of flamenco's classic recordings.
Although he retired from touring in 1979, de la Isla continued to produce groundbreaking albums. His 1980 album, La Leyenda del Tiempo -- which was marked by rock, jazz, and Oriental influences and the use of non-flamenco instruments, including bass, drums, percussion, electric piano, Moog, keyboards, electric guitar, flute, and zither -- sold nearly 6,000 copies. His 1989 recording, Soy Gitano, recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, became the first album in Spain to be certified gold, with sales of 50,000 copies. De la Isla's last album, Potro de Rabia y Miel, followed two years later.
De Lucia paid tribute to his former collaborator with a tune, "Camaron," that he included on his 1998 album Luzia. The song marked De Lucia's debut as a vocalist. "While others sang songs with social content," De Lucia said, "Camarón's cracked voice could evoke, on its own, the desperation of a people."
The second of eight children, Camarón was born in the small Cadiz village of San Fernando. Acquiring his nickname, "Camarón," because of his blonde hair, he began performing in public at the age of eight.
In December 2000, Camarón's widow, Dolores "Chispa" Montoya, received the prestigious Golden Key Award of Song on his behalf.
© Craig Harris /TiVo
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Discography
76 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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La Leyenda Del Tiempo (Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Jul 26, 1979
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Cada Vez Que Nos Miramos (Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Jan 1, 1969
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Al Verte Las Flores Lloran (Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Jan 1, 1969
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Potro De Rabia Y Miel (Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Apr 26, 1992
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Como El Agua (Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Jan 1, 1981
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
París 1987 (En Directo En El Cirque d'Hiver de París / Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Nov 3, 1999
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Oviedo, San Mateo 1991 (En Directo en Oviedo, 13 de Septiembre de 1991)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Nov 28, 2024
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Antología Inédita (Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Apr 2, 2000
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
El Sabio
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Dec 21, 2023
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Rosa María (Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Jan 1, 1969
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Montreux 1991 (En Directo En El Festival De Jazz De Montreux / 1991)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Nov 30, 2018
Available in24-Bit/48 kHz Stereo -
Castillo De Arena (Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Apr 26, 1977
The Qobuz Essential DiscographyAvailable in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Caminito De Totana (Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Sep 1, 1973
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Arte Y Majestad (Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Oct 18, 1975
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Son Tus Ojos Dos Estrellas (Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Jun 21, 1971
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Viviré (Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Sep 29, 1984
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Soy Gitano (Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on May 26, 1989
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Soy Caminante (Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Jan 1, 1974
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Calle Real (Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on Jan 1, 1983
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Flamenco Vivo (En Directo / Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on May 26, 1987
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Canastera (Remastered)
Flamenco - Released by Universal Music Spain S.L. on May 21, 1972
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo