Presenting Jose Greco

Gerco Guajiras Flamencas

Presenting Jose Greco and His Company
The Master Of Flamenco
Lola de Ronda, Rosario Caro, Pepita Sevilla, Jose Mancilla, Margarita Zurita, Gitanillo Heredia, Maribel de Cirez, Manuela de Jerez
Guitarist: Miquel Garcia
Orchestra Conducted by F. Moreno Torroba
RCA Victor - Red Seal LM-2300
1959

From the back cover: Even when he was a small child, Jose Greco's only dream was to become one day a great Spanish bailarin (dancer) – bailer, we should say, in the gypsy way. And so, while other boys in his neighborhood thought of sports and games, young Jose was immersed in dancing.

He had been born with exceptional physical qualities for Spanish dancing – a little over average in height... slender... movements naturally graceful and elegant... "planta de gran majeza" (proud bearing)... the head of a bullfighter of the golden era. But these natural gifts were only the beginning; there were also hours of practice day after day, wherever possible, with or without accompaniment, from castanuelas (castanets) to taconeo (heel work) and through all the other arduous aspects of Spanish dancing, to acquire that enviable command of technique that he enjoys in such high degree. At the same time there was the study of the theater in all its facets.

Alone, with a partner or in groups, Jose Greco began to dance in public, in clubs and in vaudeville, and from the very beginning he attracted attention. By leaps and bounds the young man advanced. The only thing missing was that on "lucky break."

And that break came in 1945, when the famous Spanish dancer Encarnacion Lopez – Argentinita was in New York with her company for a series of performances at the Metropolitan Opera House. Unexpectedly the great dancer found herself without a dancing partner. While a cable to Spain would have brought whomever she suggested, Arentinita decided to look around New York. In those days there were in the city a number of good Spanish dancers, and visiting the places where they were performing, or in private audition, she saw each one of them until she got to Jose Greco – "el Greco," as he was already affectionately called by the hispanics. Just a few bars were enough for Argentinita to say: "This is exactly what I'm looking for!"

Following the great personal success he won in those appearances at the Metropolitan Opera House, Greco went to Spain as a leading star in the company of Pilar Lopez, Argentinita's sister. The enthusiastic reception accorded him there was high praise indeed: Jose Greco was acclaimed a great Spanish dancer in Spain. There followed a triumphal tour through Europe with his own excellent company, hailed by the public and the critics alike, and then the continuation of that success on this side of the Atlantic. – Notes by Emilio De Torre

From Billboard - December 14, 1959: Jose Greco has a large, devoted following, but he is so visual that no recording can give more than an idea of his dance artistry. Wisely, therefore, he has the capable support of guitarist Miguel Garcia and other members of his company, including some excellent vocalists. Much of the music is from the best Spanish Zarzuela repertory under the baton of the noted composer, F. Moreno Torroba. Result basically is an album of colorful and exciting Iberian melodies with the dancer's efforts providing highlights.

Torroba La Mantilla Del Embrujo
Machado Gitano De La Luna Verde
Ganados Intermezzo from Goyescas
Machado Los Amantes De Sierra Morena
Machado Solea
Gerco Ritmo
Machado Amazonas Andaluzas (Zapateado)
Gerco Guajiras Flamencas
Torroba Verdiales Del Valle Verde
Merda Isa Palmera
Fantasia Del Levante:
Machdo Levantina (Prelude)
Arbo Danza Valenciana
Machado Las Rebaleras
Torroba Anda Manico (Jota)
Machado Alegrias De Aragon
Machado Festa En El Perello