HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Carmen was an American-British band active from 1970 to 1975. Their style was a fusion of
rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...
, progressive, and
flamenco Flamenco () is an art form based on the various folkloric music traditions of southern Spain, developed within the Gitanos, gitano subculture of the region of Andalusia, and also having historical presence in Extremadura and Region of Murcia, ...
music and dance. Carmen's first album, '' Fandangos in Space'', is ranked number 46 in the Rolling Stone list of ''50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of All Time''.


History

The group was founded by David Clark Allen, a Mexican/American Californian trained in flamenco guitar. Originally a seven-member band in Los Angeles, the band relocated to London, England, in January 1973, where the personnel soon stabilized as a
quintet A quintet is a group containing five members. It is commonly associated with musical groups, such as a string quintet, or a group of five singers, but can be applied to any situation where five similar or related objects are considered a single ...
. In London, they became friendly with several rock stars of the time, including
David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer, songwriter and actor. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Bowie was acclaimed by critics and musicians, pa ...
- who introduced them internationally by including them on his Midnight Special '1980 Floor Show',
Marc Bolan Marc Bolan ( ; born Mark Feld; 30 September 1947 – 16 September 1977) was an English guitarist, singer-songwriter and poet. He was a pioneer of the glam rock movement in the early 1970s with his band T. Rex (band), T. Rex. Bolan strongly i ...
( Paul Fenton became his studio and tour drummer), and
Bryan Ferry Bryan Ferry (born 26 September 1945) is an English singer and songwriter. He became known as the frontman of the band Roxy Music and also launched a solo career. His voice has been described as an "elegant, seductive croon". He also established ...
. Obtaining the services of producer
Tony Visconti Anthony Edward Visconti (born April 24, 1944) is an American record producer, musician and singer. Since the late 1960s, he has worked with an array of performers. His first hit single was T. Rex's " Ride a White Swan" in 1970, the first of man ...
, Carmen released three albums: '' Fandangos in Space'' (1973), '' Dancing on a Cold Wind'' (1974), and '' The Gypsies'' (1975). By early 1975, the band was enjoying its greatest success, playing as an opening act at concerts by
Santana Santana may refer to: Transportation * Volkswagen Santana, an automobile * Santana Cycles, manufacturer of tandem bicycles * Santana Motors, a former Spanish automobile manufacturer * Sailboat designs by W. D. Schock Corp ** Santana 20 ** Santan ...
,
Blue Öyster Cult Blue Öyster Cult ( ; sometimes abbreviated BÖC or BOC) is an American rock band formed on Long Island, New York, in the hamlet of Stony Brook, in 1967. They have sold 25 million records worldwide, including 7 million in the United States. ...
, and
Electric Light Orchestra The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) are an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1970 by multi-instrumentalists Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood and drummer Bev Bevan. Their music is characterised by a fusion of pop and classical arrangement ...
, and touring for three months as the 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 band's manager left. Carmen disbanded shortly after finishing their last album in 1975 and
John Glascock John Glascock (2 May 1951 – 17 November 1979) was a British musician. He was the bassist and occasional lead vocalist of the rock band Carmen from 1972 to 1975; and the bass guitarist for progressive rock band Jethro Tull from 1976 until h ...
went on to join Jethro Tull.


Music

Carmen's stage performances featured Amaral and Angela Allen dancing on a specially amplified stage floor, so that their flamenco zapateado became an integral percussive addition to the music. Spanish influences in their sound included acoustic guitar interludes in flamenco style, occasional Spanish lyrics, themes of betrayed love reminiscent of
Federico García Lorca Federico del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús García Lorca (5 June 1898 – 19 August 1936) was a Spanish poet, playwright, and theatre director. García Lorca achieved international recognition as an emblematic member of the Generation of '27, a g ...
, and castanets, all supported by a traditional rock rhythm section.


Discography

The first two albums were re-issued by Angel Air records as a 2-CD set in October 2006. Carmen's third album ''The Gypsies'' was re-issued by Angel Air records in May 2007, also as a 2-CD set; the second CD, entitled ''Widescreen'', contains new instrumental music by David Clark Allen.A review of this 2 CD set is availabl
here
Widescreen - the band David formed with Laurence Elliot-Potter - supported The Buena Vista Social Club, Eliades Ochoa, and Ojos de Brujo and played for many years regularly on the UK festival circuit. * '' Fandangos in Space'' (1973) * '' Dancing on a Cold Wind'' (1974) * ''The Gypsies'' (1975)


Members

* David Clark Allen - lead vocals, acoustic flamenco guitars, electric guitars, synthesiser, mellotron, piano, backing vocals, lyrics (1970-1975) * Angela Allen - lead vocals, synthesizer, mellotron, piano, backing vocals, dancer (1970-1975) * Roberto Amaral - lead and backing vocals, lyrics, dancer (1971-1975) *
John Glascock John Glascock (2 May 1951 – 17 November 1979) was a British musician. He was the bassist and occasional lead vocalist of the rock band Carmen from 1972 to 1975; and the bass guitarist for progressive rock band Jethro Tull from 1976 until h ...
- bass, bass pedals, synthesisers, lead and backing vocals, lyrics (1972-1975) * Paul Fenton - drums, percussion, backing vocals (1973-1975) *
Brian Glascock Brian Glascock (born 17 July 1948, Islington, North London) is an English rock drummer for The Gods, Toe Fat, Carmen, Captain Beyond, Soy Cowboy, and primarily for The Motels. He also played on albums by Dolly Parton, Iggy Pop, and Joan Armatra ...
- Drums (1970-1973) * Dennis Trerotola - lead vocals (1970-1971) * Adam Moody - guitars (1970-1971) * Mark Moody - bass (1970-1971) * Vicente - dancer (1970-1971) * Rick Chavez - guitars (1971-1972) * Mark Anthony - guitars, lyrics/music (1970-1972) * Nigel Griggs - bass (1971-1972) Nigel also played bass guitar in the band
Split Enz Split Enz were a New Zealand band formed in 1972. Regarded as the first New Zealand band to gain significant recognition outside of Australasia, they were initially noted for their progressive rock, progressive/art rock sound, flamboyant visua ...
from 1977 to 1984 and performed in
Schnell Fenster Schnell Fenster were a New Zealand rock band formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1986 by Noel Crombie on drums and percussion, Nigel Griggs on bass guitar and backing vocals, Phil Judd on lead vocals and guitar, and Eddie Rayner on keyboards and ...
from 1986 to 1992.


References


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Carmen British progressive rock groups American progressive rock groups Musical groups disestablished in 1975 Musical groups established in 1970