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A singer from everywhere and nowhere has arrived

By  Larry Rohter (中國日報)
Updated: 2010-11-21 10:03

 

The Spanish singer Buika says: "I don't know much about styles or genres. I only know notes and chords.'' MICHAEL Nagle for The Newyork Times

Buika was carrying a Spanish passport when she arrived to begin her first extended singing tour ofNorthAmerica.But hermusic draws on such a range of influences that sheseemstobeatoncefromeverywhereand nowhere.

"Iamthe consequence of aparticular type of demographic movement, one that has always involved paying a high price,"Buika said. "But I don't knowmuch about styles or genres. I only knownotes and chords.I have nopreferences,really."

The singer, whose full name is Concha Buika,acknowledgeshershasbeenanuphill struggle. A decade ago she was stuck working in Las Vegas casinos as a Tina Turner imitator.ButherlatestCD,"ElultimoTrago" ("The Last Drink"),won the LatinGrammy for Best TropicalAlbum, she will soon appear inaPedroAlmodovarfilm, andshehas collaborated on recordings with Canadian-Portuguese vocalist Nelly Furtado and the Anglo-Nigerian-BrazilianpopsingerSeal.

Buika, 38,was born on the SpanishMediterranean resort island ofMajorca, where her parents settled after fleeing Equatorial Guinea,andshegrewuphearinghermother singingGuineanfolksongs.

Buika spent time with the local Gypsies and absorbed their passion for flamenco and the tradition of "cante jondo,"or "deep singing.""I identified with their solitude,"sheexplained,speakingSpanishinanaccent closetoCastillian,"becauseweweretheonly blackfamilyontheisland,andIwastheonly blackkid."

But American music also fascinated her,bothjazzandpop.ShecitesBonnieRaitt,BillieHolidayandNinaSimoneasinfluences.

"What Buika does is to drink frommany sources,"said the Spanish record producer and songwriter Javier Limon, who has worked withBuika onthree successfulCDs."ButeventhoughshesangjazzandhasAfricanroots,she'sclearlySpanishinthewayshe feelsmusicandlife."

Among Buika's most fervent admirers backhomeisMr.Almodovar,thedirectorof filmslike"WomenontheVergeofaNervous Breakdown"and"AllAboutMyMother."He not only created a pair of interludes in his next film, "La Piel Que Habito"("The Skin I'mIn"), for her to sing, but also has written aboutheronhisblog.

"Buikabelongstoalineageofartiststhatis found very rarely,"he wrote, before putting herinthesamecategoryasEdithPiafandJudyGarland."Her voice has anunusual color and a verywide tessitura, gifted for themost intimate caress andfor thedeafening shriek. Buikaonlyknowshowtosingwithherheart rippedapart."

Theidea for "El ultimo Trago"also came fromMr.Almodovar, she said. She had performed a version of "SeMe Hizo Facil"("It WasEasyforMe")asongassociatedwiththe legendaryMexicanranchera singerChavela Vargas, for a scene in his film, and he urged Buika to record an entire CD of songs from theVargasrepertory.

Buika responded enthusiastically to Mr. Almodovar'srequest,eventhoughherinitial contactwithMs.Vargas,who is 91 now, had beenbruisingtoherego.OntourinMexicoa fewyearsago,BuikametMs.Vargas,who,as Buikarecallsit,said,"Singsomethingforme, child"and then bluntly commanded "Stop, stop,you'renotprepared."

Buika recorded "Elultimo Trago"inHavanalastyearwithasmalljazzensemblethat includedtheCubanjazzpianistChuchoValdes. Ms.Vargassaidsheheartilyapprovedof the result. "She's still young, and has a lot to learn,butIthinkshehasafuture,bothinmusicandfilm," Ms.Vargassaid.

OnherNorthAmericantour,whichbegan October15andendsNovember20,Buika is aiming for a crossover audience.But the future in cinema Ms.Vargas foresees seems to holdlittleinterest.

"Ithascostmeagreatdeal tobecomemyself," Buika said. "I don't want to be another person."

The New York Times