Desde el fondo de mi alma

Me, Madam Arcati and Baby Steve on one of our previous sojourns to Andalusia.

Ah, Flamenco - one of the most distinctive, yet undefinable in origin, folk music forms in the world. Its roots are said to be in a meld of the myriad musical types prevalent under the long reign of the Ummayyads and other rulers of Arabic al-Andalus, including Moorish, Jewish, native Iberian and Romany influences. It managed to survive the fanaticism of the Reconquista, the Inquisition, the economic decline of the Spanish Empire, Napoleon and Franco, and en route developed its musical accompaniment from Gypsy violins and Arab oud-style instruments such as the bandurria, to the more recognisable Spanish guitar in the modern era. With its unmistakeable cante gitano vocal style, Flamenco became wildly popular in the 19th century with the rise of cafés cantante, with their fare of music, dancing and tapas - many of which survive today.

Facts:

• The oldest written record of the word "Flamenco" to describe the musical genre dates to 1774, but it is probably much older than that.
• There are possibly hundreds of regional and stylistic variations, including Fandango, Seguiriyas, Malagueñas, Zapateado, Farruca and Rondeña.
• The recognisable frilly spotted dresses associated with Flamenco today are derived from a style of dress worn for the annual Feria in Seville.
• Such is its international appeal, in Japan there are more Flamenco academies today than there are in Spain.

And, after that little potted history lesson, and continuing our countdown to our own trip to al-Andalus on Saturday, we really need to hand over to one of the unavowed mistresses of the art - put your hands together and do that rhythmic handclap for Señorita Lola Flores!!

Lola Flores - Ojalá que te vaya bonito

I've been trying for years to do "that thing" with a tasselled scarf.