Women en Mi II – La Gota y la Mar (WeM records, 2014)
Bettina Flater is a remarkable Norwegian flamenco guitarist and singer-songwriter who settled in Madrid and has become a respected performer in Spain’s demanding flamenco scene. Her latest album, titled Women en Mi II – La Gota y la Mar is part of a four-volume series devoted to Bettina’s female idols. La Gota y la Mar means “the drop and the sea,” in which water is one of the four element that characterizes each album.
Norwegian music and flamenco seem like an unlikely mix, but in the hands and voice of Bettina Flater, the result is a captivating musical hybridization. La Gota y la Mar delves into the encounter between Spanish guitar and Norwegian music. Bettina’s influences also include English folk rock.
“I want to build bridges between different cultures and music is the perfect means to do so,” says Bettina. “I have always felt that flamenco and Norway were like oil and water, but through this project I discovered that it was surprisingly natural to find connections.”
La Gota y la Mar features vocals in Norwegian and English by Bettina, and Spanish performed by flamenco vocalists. Highlights include the pieces where Bettina plays flamenco and sings in her native language, such as the persuasively beautiful traditional Norwegian song ‘Heiemo og Nykkjen’ featuring a wonderful mix of cello, violin, flamenco guitar and percussion; the melancholic Swedish folk melody ‘Den Blomstertid’ featuring vocals and piano; flamencofied Norwegian folk song ‘Haugebonden’; and the charming Norwegian lullaby ‘Gjendine’s Baadnlaat.’
Other high points include the vibrant flamenco pieces ‘La Gota y la Mar’ and ‘Carameleando,’ where Bettina Flater Gets to showcase her admirable talent. She plays real flamenco, not the smooth jazz easy listening rumba stuff that tries to pass as flamenco in the United States.
Each musical piece is dedicated to a different woman that Bettina Flater admires. On this recording she pays tribute to Erin Brokovich (USA), Amytis Towfighi (Iran, Kenya, USA), Waris Dirie (Somalia), Hellen Keller (USA), Jane goodall (UK), Rebecca Lolosoli (Kenya), Anne Frank (Germany/Holland), Baubo and Mari Boine (Norway).
Women en Mi II – La Gota y la Mar features high profile guests including flamenco-jazz pioneer Jorge Pardo on flute, flamenco singer Sandra Carrasco, dancer Karen Lugo, Yelsy Heredia on bass, Victor Guadiana on violin, Marina Barba on cello, Iván Mellén on percussion; Ana romero and La TYacha on palmas (handclap percussion), Tove Karine Flater on backing vocals, Pablo Carretero on bass, Toni Mangas on drums, Ketil Kielland Lund on piano, Naike Ponce on vocals, José Llorach on percussion.
With Women en Mi II – La Gota y la Mar, Norwegian guitarist and composer Bettina Flater demonstrates that she is an exceptionally talented artist and a role model for girls and young women interested in pursuing the venerable art of flamenco guitar.
Buy the Women en Mi II – La Gota y la Mar MP3s
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
