Romance del Amargo

The Romance del Amargo is a piece that, when played, allows us to glimpse a moment of profound transformation in flamenco. It is not a simple song, but a turning point that marked the beginning of what would be known as new flamenco. Its release generated mixed opinions, dividing the public between those who supported the new explorations of Camarón de la Isla and those who were skeptical of this departure from more traditional forms. Despite the initial controversies and not being an immediate commercial success, over time, this work has been recognized by specialized critics as a fundamental milestone.

This song is part of the album La leyenda del tiempo, a work that marked a before and after in the career of Camarón de la Isla. It was the first album in which he did not have the collaboration of his usual partner, the guitarist Paco de Lucía. Born as José Monge Cruz in San Fernando, Cádiz, on December 5, 1950, Camarón became a key figure in the renewal of flamenco singing. His career, which culminated in Badalona on July 2, 1992, was marked by a constant search for new sounds and expressions, and La leyenda del tiempo is a clear reflection of that audacity. The duration of Romance del Amargo is 3:46.