Oddly, I wouldn't write off the tablaos entirely. I remember sitting outside a cafe in Seville, a few years ago. A guy was doing the rounds of the tables, touting tickets for a range of tablao-type shows. From his accent, he was obviously Irish, like ourselves. We let him say his standard piece - then set about questioning him in earnest! By talking to him about Irish music first we established that he did, in fact, know something about music - which was a start. Eventually, we boiled him down to admitting that there was in fact just one good tablao in a bar just outside the ring road around the old city. We bought tickets - much to the amazement of the other customers, who had been fending him off earlier. "Sure, we know his granny!" sez us. Not sure they knew what to make of that!

In fact the performance was very good. A group of 4 or 5, I think. Not unlike a good Irish music session where the musicians are really playing for themselves first and foremost - the eye contact gives them away.

Now where was it......? Would the same gang be there....?

Spontaneous or at least unexpected sessions are great - but can involve drinking a lot of finos while you're waiting. Still....

Regards

Regards