I'm smitten. Lorca is eloquent, magnificent, and one of Spain's most acclaimed poets. He believed himself the descendent of Egyptian Gypsys, and most certainly exemplifies duende. If you don't know what that means and you like to do research, you now have your assignment for the month. For those of you who couldn't do research with the help of a 19-year-old computer whiz, I offer the following explanation, expressed by Lorca in 1930..."The duende is a power and not a behavior, it is a struggle and not a concept. I have heard an old guitarist say: 'Duende is not in the throat; duende surges up from the soles of the feet.' Which means it is not a matter of ability, but of real, live form; of blood; of ancient culture; of creative action."
It is also explained by Goethe, when speaking of Paganini: "A mysterious power that all may feel and no philosophy can explain." Don't know Goethe or Paganini - you're on your own.
For good examples of duende American style, listen to Billie Holiday, Cassandra Wilson, Miles Davis, or John Coltrane. For good measure, really sit down and listen to "A Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke.
So there you have it...my latest crush(es)...Lorca and Sam Cooke.
