Paco de Lucia: My Memories of a Flamenco Legend

Entertaining and a pure joy to read.

It was a nice honest story about a man that was able to hang with a star.I enjoyed it and it made me understand the star and the Spanish Culture and Gypsy culture a little more than I had.For the price you can't go wrong.

This is not a linear or complete biography of Paco, but a series of anecdotes about him woven together in a more or less continuous narrative. This is the only book containing information about Paco the Man that I have been able to find, and it is interesting and insightful! If you are a Paco fan, it is definitely worth a read!

Thoroughly enjoyed this light, easy but authentic account of a friendship with the greatest guitarist of our time. You get a sense of Paco's experience and involvement in the US and with artists like Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin and especially with the author himself who is a flamenco guitarist as well as a writer. You get a sense of how he was nourished by these influences even though technically and artistically he was already in the most rarefied realm. It is also a trip through 1970's ethos, some of it beautiful, some not so much but all of it a fond nostalgia. You get to know a bit about Paco the human being and for this, as a huge fan of his music, I am in deep appreciation.

Rusel de María succeeds in getting the reader to get to know Paco de Lucía pretty well through the eyes of a friend, part time road manager, aficionado, and American flamenco guitarist. De María's writing style is personal, personable, upbeat, and easy to read.It's an important book for those at any level of interest in the world of flamenco, dealing with the greatest guitarist in the art form of his epoch, and perhaps ever. Aside from the many insider stories about el maestro Paco, I specifically enjoyed the accounts of meetings with Camarón, Al DiMeola, and George Benson.Other fascinating things include how Paco came to play the oud, and a scientific comparison of Paco's picado with that of Sabicas.Rating: Excellent! Two thumbs up!Guillermo Salazar, columnist for Jaleo Magazine and The Journal of Flamenco Artistry

I disliked a review that I read dissing "My Memories..." as being egocentric. The author recounts his reflections and portrays an insight into Paco's life that few others could. Perhaps the disgruntled critic's real issue is of the author's financial wherewithal to follow his sincere passion, intrigue and concern for Paco's life! Excellent read, and like "The Three Bears": not too long, not too short, but just right! "My Memories..." Duh! A dead giveaway that the book is about an ego reflecting on his own experiences of a great and wonderful musician and person!

great book

A charming account worth reading butperhaps significantly bare on insight intothe temperament and no doubt a plethora of interesting details of the man and musician.

What an enjoyable book this is,brilliantly crafted giving you insights of Paco from another man's perceptionLots of different stories some funny of their exploits together.Who'd of known that Paco brilliant as he was suffered anxiety when playing guitar with greats like John McLaughlin and Al Di Meola because he didn't know how to improvise, WHAT You say !!!!To summarize as a wannabe flamenco guitarist i didn't l listen to much of Paco's music as I found it many levels above my playing capabilities but I will now and learn his infamous falsetas

I enjoyed the book and found anecdotes that i have not heard before.Pity it wasn't longer but fascinating

Fascinating insight to a genius

Great read on Paco de Lucia. Wii read again.

Great