The ShadowMusic Web Community

I read an article somewhere (Probably Pipeline.) It was on Joe Brown
where Joe said he had Hank on his show as a guest and at the last minute
he threw Zorba's Dance at him to play as a duet. Hank had never played it before
but turned up for the show and played it perfectly. I just wondered if this
is the version on the new (old) Cd

I read that too, Norman - apparently he sat up all night learning it!

At the last minute? Or the day before?

Yes...I believe that Hank was all set and prepared for "Spanish Gypsy Dance" (Bizet) and then Joe decided to add "Zorba The Greek" (which he had been practising assiduously for several weeks!!!). Very little notice / warning for Hank....who probably only had one evening (maybe part of the next morning too) to learn it up & it WAS played very fast!!! Apparently Joe was absolutely amazed that Hank managed to do it. I can confirm all of that, because I was the one who did the interview (Hexagon Theatre, Reading - a LONG time ago!!). Joe Brown was lovely...very modest, very self - deprecating and incredibly funny. It was a great interview...focussingh entirely upon his guitar instrumental work.

Rob

Iain Purdon wrote:At the last minute? Or the day before?

The day before.

Arpeggio wrote:Yes...I believe that Hank was all set and prepared for "Spanish Gypsy Dance" (Bizet) and then Joe decided to add "Zorba The Greek" (which he had been practising assiduously for several weeks!!!).
Rob

Google turns up nothing for "Spanish Gypsy Dance" by Bizet.

Could this be Seguidilla from "Carmen" (by Bizet!)?

Joe Brown has been playing it as an acoustic guitar feature for decades...

A quick bit of research has thrown up a BBC recording of Joe Brown & The Bruvvers - introduced by Brian Matthew - playing a tune he calls Spanish Gypsy Dance but which is soon revealed to be the composition España cañí (Gypsy Spain) by Pascual Norro.

This tune was heard almost every week in the days when "Come Dancing" was still "Come Dancing".

You can hear Joe's 1962 / 1963 BBC version at https://sndup.net/7nvb

A typically adventurous take on the tune by the Spotnicks...



Bill

Yes...you can refer to it as the Seguidilla from "Carmen" if you like - but I have also heard it being referred to as "Spanish Gypsy Dance". Of course, I realise that it is confusing as there is the more well - known "Spanish Gypsy Dance" (Narro) & doubtless many others.

Just a week before the first lockdown commenced, my wife and I were fortunate enough to see Joe Brown in concert. A brilliant show, with many great tales from Joe of his experiences over the years. As has already been said, very self deprecating, and very entertaining.

Cliff