Carmen was a British-American band active from 1970–1975. Their style was a fusion of rock music and flamenco music and dance. While the band achieved some success in recording and performance, its greatest significance lies in later contributions of its members to more famous rock groups.
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The group was founded by David Clark Allen, a Mexican/American Californian trained in flamenco guitar. Originally a seven-member band in Los Angeles, USA, the band in the early seventies relocated to London, England, where the personnel soon stabilized as a quintet.
In London, they became friendly with several rock stars of the time, including David Bowie. Marc Bolan, and Bryan Ferry. Obtaining the services of producer Tony Visconti, released three albums: Fandangos in Space (1973), Dancing on a Cold Wind (1974), and The Gypsies (1975). By early 1975, the band was enjoying its greatest success, playing as an opening act at concerts by Santana, Blue Öyster Cult, and Electric Light Orchestra, and touring for three months as the opener for Jethro Tull. A series of unfortunate events then occurred while the group was recording The Gypsies at Longview Farm. Paul Fenton seriously damaged his knee, stopping his career as a drummer for many years. Carmen and Tony Visconti ended their musical relationship, and the band's manager left. Carmen disbanded shortly after finishing their last album in 1975.
Carmen's stage performances typically featured Amaral and Angela Allen dancing on a specially amplified stage floor, so that their flamenco zapateado became an integral part of the music. Additional Spanish influences in their sound included acoustic guitar interludes in flamenco style, occasional Spanish lyrics, themes of betrayed love reminiscent of Federico Garcia Lorca, and castanets—all supported by a traditional rock rhythm section.
David Allen continued to pursue a music career, writing songs for Agnetha of ABBA fame among others. In 1984 he was diagnosed with throat cancer and underwent surgery. He then reinvented his life, earning much acclaim as a photographer, first working in the field of erotic anthropology and then as a black and white family portrait specialist near London. The recent re-release of Carmen’s three albums, by Angelair, was the catalyst for David’s inspiration to make new music. His first album of new instrumental music in 30 years, released in the same package as The Gypsies brought David into contact with renowned producer and mixer Laurence Lush. The new album became the seed for a new band - Widescreen. Widescreen has now become FLAMEXICANO!. Channeling much of the progressive flamenco rock flavour of Carmen’s music, FLAMEXICANO! combines Charlotte’s fiery surf violin and sweet french accordion, Devid Del'Aiera's thunderous double basslines, Pablo Parrachino's snake-hipped percussion/drums and David Clark Allen's intricate guitar and brutal vocals giving FLAMEXICANO!'s music a film score quality which falls somewhere between Sergio Leone and Nine Inch Nails.[1]
Glascock joined Jethro Tull in 1975, and Angela Allen, his romantic partner at the time, contributed backing vocals on Tull's recording Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die!. Their relationship ended shortly after, and in 1979, at the age of 28, Glascock's life sadly was cut short due to complications caused by a congenital heart condition. Angela Allen currently resides in London and still continues to sing, recently contributing vocals for the Widescreen album.
Paul Fenton was badly injured in a fall from a horse around the time of Carmen's break-up. He had already built a career for himself as a drummer outside of Carmen, in particular working with Marc Bolan's T-Rex; he's currently playing in a Bolan tribute band.
Roberto Amaral, who currently resides in Van Nuys, California, has continued to create music as a singer, songwriter and producer. At the same time he has established himself as the leading flamenco teacher/choreographer in Southern California. After over 30 years, his dance companies Fuego Flamenco and Espana clasica continue to received public and critical acclaim. He is currently collaborating on writing the book and musical score for an original stage play incorporating flamenco dance. He has also formed a production company called Delicia Music.
The first two albums were re-issued by Angel Air records as a 2 CD set in October 2006. Carmens' third album -The Gypsies - was re-issued by Angel Air records in May 2007, also as a 2 CD set. The second CD is entitled 'Widescreen' and contains new instrumental music by David Clark Allen.[2] FLAMEXICANO! ( the artists formerly known as Widescreen) has now become the new musical project of David, the founder of Carmen. The band - David, Charlotte, Pablo and Devid - brought their cinematic electroflamenco musical vision straight into the La Linea Festival where they opened for the Buena Vista Social Club, Eliades Ochoa and Ojos de Brujo. FLAMEXICANO! is a fiery, passionate remix of Carmens unique musical style.
1970-November 1971 Lineup David Allen - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Flamenco Guitars, Lyrics
Adam Moody - Guitar
Mark Moody - Bass Guitar
Brian Glascock - Drums
December 1971-1973 Lineup
David Allen - Lead Vocals, Lyrics, Acoustic Flamenco Guitars, Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Roberto Amaral - Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Lyrics
Adam Moody - Guitar
Nigel Griggs - Bass Guitar
Brian Glascock - Drums
1973-1975 Lineup
David Allen - Lead Vocals, Electric Guitars, Acoustic Flamenco Guitars, Lyrics, Backup Vocals, Synthesizer, Mellotron, Piano
Roberto Amaral - Lyrics, Vibes, Chimes, Backup Vocals, Percussion, Footwork, Lead Vocals, Castanets
John Glascock - Bass Guitar, Backup Vocals, Lead Vocals, Lyrics, Bass Pedals, Synthesizers
Angela Allen - Synthesizer, Mellotron, Footwork, Backup Vocals, Piano, Lead Vocals
Paul Fenton - Drums, Percussion, Backup Vocals
http://www.flamexicano.net