Roman Edirisinghe

Carlos (Chile) and Oriol (Barcelona, Spain) playing cajón on the streets of Sevilla.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0SAXjl7BHU

Bernardo of Anarko Flamenco dancing bulerias, while Oriol and Carlos accompany him on the cajón.The crowded streets are a result of Semana Santa (the week preceding Easter).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeHKRaSJGsI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0cBbdFQPdg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhuY0zBJ8yk

I met some really cool musicians here in Sevilla, and here they are improvising an impromptu Flamenco song while we were sitting around at a café. Pictured from left to right are Marina, Tyson, Oriol, and Carlos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4oTWag42_4

Last night, I was fortunate to buy the last available ticket for a Tomatito show. When the show started, he came out alone, and brought me to the point of tears with his musical finesse. After the first song, his musical companions joined him – 2 singers, another guitarist, a percussionist, and a dancer. These guys really knew how to put on a fantastic presentation, and they managed to do it without uttering one word (save lyrics) to the audience. It was certainly awesome to see one of my (many) guitar heroes performing live.

Here is a video clip of the encore, which was interrupted by an usher telling me I couldn’t film. Oops.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=s9sKMyX7ZJ8

For me, the most pronounced thing about Sevilla is not its numerous attractions, sights, tapas bars, and multicultural diversity. It is something far more subtle, and takes some time before it actually sinks in. Sevilla simply smells delicious. Currently, it is Spring here, which means the sour orange trees lining the streets are blooming.

Due to a delayed flight, day one of my trip found me stranded at the Newark airport, with no alternative but to find a hotel.

Ahh, sleep is priceless after days of erratic rest.

This morning, I woke to the deep bass of a giant heartbeat. I thought I was in a giant womb. The heartbeats gradually morphed into a beat, and then I heard an announcer say “How are we doing tonight? Are we going to have a party?!” Mind you, this was morning, not night, or so I thought. I rushed to the window and saw an Indian wedding party taking place in the cold parking lot.  Enjoy the videos of this surreal spectacle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmPKn6wNUp8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oatPUI-BPBA