Enrico Macias

MichaelHorowitz

I was just doing a little research on the famous French singer Enrico Macias...as many of you know Favino's most celebrated model is named after him:



But he wasn't a Gypsy jazz player....he was a Sephardic Jew from Algeria who was brought up in the al Andalous musical tradition which is related to Flamenco. It's interesting to watch him play...he often plays his Favino like an oud and/or flamenco guitar.



Here he his playing oud...no wonder he liked those big block MOP inlays, look at the detail on the oud!!




And apparently he does Hanukkah parties and Bar Mitzvahs!

And refuses to use a strap, even when standing up...probably for good reason as it tends to kill the projection of the guitar.

a

bar "mitzpha" ? isn't it "mitzvah" ?

MichaelHorowitz

sorry, I changed it the more commonly used spelling!

MichaelHorowitz

It's also interesting to note that both Serge Krief and Philippe Nedjar had a Sephardic background. Both great players! And both play Favinos as well....

Here's some vids of Serge back in the day....

Bob Holo

Josh just sent me a note - Pere Soto has a left handed Macias. He and Josh got together recently and Josh says it's a real tone monster. Unfortunately the fretboard was neutered at some point in its life so those original MOTS inlays are no longer on the guitar.

MichaelHorowitz

Yes, I know about Pere's. In fact, that's why I was looking this stuff up in the first place. I've been playing with him this week and have been admiring his guitar! although, I have to play it upside down which is a little weird.

It's not the loudest guitar I've played...but the tone is fat, especially the low end which is killer. Super defined, not sloppy at all. I guess that's the big body at work.

The treble is nicely rounded and a bit nasal....you'd have to really try to make it sound bad!

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