Carmen Fandangos In Space/Dancing On A Cold Wind CD

Ludicrously ahead of their time, even in the experimental early '70s, Carmen were unlike anything else on the scene, least of all the American scene. The Allen siblings, David and Angela, were raised on flamenco, forming Carmen in 1970 as a way to meld their roots with their love of rock. Unable to find a label in the U.S., the group decamped to London in 1973, hooking up with Tony Visconti, who recorded the band's debut album Fandangos in Space that summer. Songs like "Poor Tarantos" and "Sailor Song" beautifully showcase David's exquisite flamenco guitar, while "Bulerias" and "Retirando" capture the Spanish flavor along with the rock leanings of the group. The title track, in contrast, highlights their more operatic bend, a styling that Queen would more successfully exploit. "Fandangos" also boasts a decidedly funky rhythm, and its the album's shifting, intricate, and unique rhythms that further removed them from the pack. "Bullfight" and "Looking Outside (My Window)"'s distinctive rhythm patterns would both be borrowed later in the decade by experimental punk bands like Wire, Fashion and Gang of Four. Carmen's sophomore album, Dancing on a Cold Wind, recorded again with Visconti the following spring, was even more adventurous. The rhythms were more disjointed, the styling more operatic, the sound more majestic. At points, the album meanders into prog rock, as Angela's spacey keyboard effects swoop across the grooves; elsewhere, British influences strongly surface. Visconti's production understandably emphasizes the glammy feel of this set, the last one rocked, this one glitters in the vastness of the sparse arrangements. Fandangos is the more commercial of the two albums, so much so that many of the songs could receive airplay today. Dancing, in contrast, is the more intriguing for noodlers and lovers of the unique. Angel Air has now reissued both albums together across two CDs, tossing in a pair of bonus tracks to boot. Carmen returns with a passion. ~ Jo-Ann Greene

By early 1975 the band was opening for JETHRO TULL on their 13 week USA War Child Tour. The ROLLING STONES then requested they open for them on their next tour BUT 'management' had screwed things up and the band was broke and unable to continuing touring. However they recorded some tracks and ended up producing a third album. Despite great critical acclaim and rave review from USA and even though 'Hot Producer' Tony Visconti had produced both the first two albums Carmen broke up in July 1975. Listed in Record Collector's Rare Album Guide both albums portray the bands unique fusion of flamenco and progressive rock.

2 LPs on 2 CDs: FANDANGOS IN SPACE (1973)/DANCING ON A COLD WIND (1974).

Carmen: David Allen (vocals, guitar); Angela Allen (vocals, Mellotron, synthesizer); John Glascock (bass guitar); Paul Fenton (drums); Roberto Amaral.

Personnel: Angela Allen (vocals, Mellotron, keyboards, synthesizer); Roberto Amaral (vocals, vibraphone, castanets, percussion); John Glascock, Mary Hopkin (vocals); David Katz (violin); Paul Fenton (drums); Chris Karan (percussion); Tony Visconti (wind).

Audio Remasterer: Ian Shepherd.

Liner Note Author: Michael Heatley.

Recording information: 1973-1975.

Additional personnel: Mary Hopkin (background vocals); David Katz, Tony Visconti, Chris Karan.