Flamenco: Passion, Politics and Popular Culture (Explorations in Anthropology) [Paperback]

William Washabaugh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996 | Series: Explorations in Anthropology

Flamenco is renowned for its passion and flamboyance. Yet because it generates such visceral responses, it is often overlooked as a site for subtler discourses.

This absorbing book articulates powerful and convincing arguments on such key subjects as ethnicity, irony, authenticity, the body and resistance. Franco's 'politics of original sin' had left its mark on every aspect of Spanish life between 1936 and 1975, and flamenco music was no exception. Although widely portrayed as an apolitical, even frivolous form of entertainment, flamenco is shown here to have played a role in both the strategies of Franco's supporters and of those who opposed him. The author explores how the meaning of flamenco shifts according to the social, cultural and historical contexts within which it appears. In so doing, he demonstrates that flamenco is an ideal subject for analyzing the construction and appropriation of popular culture, given the way in which it was developed for middle-class audiences, converted into grand spectacle, and conscripted to serve political ends.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... [a] closely argued and intriguing book." -The Times Literary Supplement

"I would recommend this book as a useful, even essential, addition to any (ethnomusicologist's) library, both for its contribution to the field of flamenco studies and fo r its engagement with a range of topical themes and theoretical concerns and the author's laudable attempt to propose, in light of these, fresh ways of looking at the flamenco phenomenon." --British Journal of Ethnomusicology

"The social and politi cal context of the performance is well-documented.' --The Journal of Iberian and Latin-American Studies

"...provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of flamenco and other aspects of Andalusian society." --South European Society and Poli tics

"His [Washabaugh's] book is to be heartily recommended" --Hispanic Research Journal

"... a valuable and very welcome introduction to some of the political dimensions of flamencology ... " --Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute

About the Author

William Washabaugh is a Professor of Anthropology, at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Berg Publishers (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1859731767
• ISBN-13: 978-1859731765
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,732,750 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too much research, not enough flamenco, November 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Flamenco: Passion, Politics and Popular Culture (Explorations in Anthropology) (Hardcover)

Mixing the erudite and colloquial language, Washabaugh's text has so many references to other sources one begins to wonder whether any of the content is actually original. Since he's an American Anthropologist I suppose one should forgive his limited view of an art form whose cultural roots must be as alien to him as little green men from Mars. The author seems to think flamenco performers are 'doing politics' whether they want to or not. He totally misses the point that flamenco has no high ideals, and no political goals, apart from serving as an emotional catalyst. On his web article about some of the videos he talks about in this book, his lack of research is really deplorable. No- Do in Seville comes from the days of Alfonso X in the 13th Century when the loyalty of the city led him to proclaim No Me Han Dejado- They Did Not Abandon Me on the coat of arms of the city. Nothing to do with Christ's cry from the cross, Mr. Washabaugh, do your homework.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Weakly supported arguments, too many references..., March 18, 2008

By 

J. Griffin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flamenco: Passion, Politics and Popular Culture (Explorations in Anthropology) (Paperback)

William Washabaugh certainly provides interesting fired-up criticism about the works of other flamencologists, but fails to explain some of his own theories adequately. Washabaugh's theories might be interesting for ethnomusicologists to study further, but the supportive arguments in this book are too weak to take seriously. It seems like he loads his explanations with technical jargon and obscure references as to make his work appear more legitimate, but all he accomplishes is confusing every reader without a PhD. Constantly deviating from his stated thesis, Washabaugh sometimes even diverging into irrelevant topics of philosophy and general sociological theory. Most of the book does present interesting theory, supported by anecdotal evidence, combining the works of other scholars, but these theories may be tricky for beginners to understand. This book could be recommended to people knowledgeable in the study of flamenco history and also in general philosophy, but will be difficult to read for anyone new to the field of flamencology.