Riiinnnnnnng …
“Hi Dez; what’s up?”
I just saw this article in the RJ Neon. Evidently, there’s going to be a guitarist concert at UNLV with Paco Arroyo. According to the article, there’ll be other guitarists performing. I can’t imagine who else, besides ourselves, know about Paco. Want to go??”
“Sure; if anything, it’s well worth the price of admission just to see him.”

So … we arrived at the ticket booth about a half hour before the performance, and were puzzled that our purchased ticket read, “Paco Arroyo and a seven piece ensemble.” Was it possible that we were going to see a flamenco show with not only Paco, but his incredibly talented dancer/ wife, Yoli?? If this was so, we knew that we would be in for a flamenco treat. Waiting for the show to commence Paco and Yoli – the dynamite duo originally from Spain – suddenly appeared. (By the way, they now reside Glendale, CA.)

We could not believe how fortunate we were. Paco, with his usual counter rhythms and inventive flamenco style, proved once more that he is truly one of the most creative and effective flamenco accompanists for a flamenco dancer. In all our years of viewing and listening to various flamenco guitarists for a dancer, he is unquestionably one of the strongest guitar/percussionists we have ever had the pleasure of listening to and seeing. As any flamenco guitarist should, his hands are strong (unlike classical guitarists) and his timing reflects the flamenco rhythm that drives the music. Yoli, as usual, was technically precise, plus artistically ran through the flamenco emotions of light to dark in her two dances – Solea Oscuridad and Tarantos la Nina.

It is a travesty that there weren’t other flamenco fans to support her performances with shouts of “Yoli” or “Guapa.” Las Vegas missed an exceptional show.

They are scheduled to return next, same time in June. When we hear news of the 2008 performance date, we will post it on our site.

Thanks Paco & Yoli; your artistry is truly appreciated!