Morente sueña la Alhambra. DVD. PAL

The new record by Enrique Morente is called "Sueña La Alhambra". It arose as the soundtrack of a documentary based on the Alhambra, the marvellous palace, citadel, fortress and residence of the Nazarite sultans (13th and 14th centuries), although it soon took on a life of its own and became something more than this.

To be precise, the record is a collection of ten gems that have been carefully nurtured by Enrique Morente. Some decorate the documentary, while others don’t. Moreover, it is the best possible guide around the most important monument left behind by Arabic culture in Europe, an aesthetic journey through a place that is laden with evocative aspects and memories.

It is also a trip from tradition to the cutting edge of flamenco, under the guidance of Enrique Morente “the hoarse man from the Albaicín” (a characteristic Granadan neighbourhood, opposite the Alhambra).

This record displays a Morente who is as interested in popular customs as in the Spanish literary tradition. Thus, alongside the popular themes that are included, we find adaptations of texts written by San Juan de la Cruz, in "Cristalina Fuente", Luis Cernuda and his "Donde habite el olvido" and by Miguel de Cervantes, the writer of "La última carta", the conceptual climax of the record.

There are a few more surprises. Enrique Morente sings for the sisters from Utrera in the song "La Alhambra lloraba", dedicating the following verses to them:
"los mimbres del río iban con Bernarda / La Alhambra lloraba cantando Fernanda".
("the river's osiers went with Bernarda / The Alhambra cried with Fernanda singing")
He also adapted "Chiquilín de Bachín", which was written by Horacio Ferrer and Astor Piazzola. It is the most convincing evidence that Enrique Morente’s flamenco is neither old nor new, but rather, clear and absolutely eternal.

Alongside Enrique Morente, the presence of great musicians,
like Tomatito, Estrella Morente, Juan Habichuela, Israel Galván and Blanca Li stands out, although musicians from different musical genres like Ute Lemper, Cheb Khaled and Pat Metheny are also present.