Felix Slim hits the road
31st December 2004



Felix Slim the young bluesman from Spain whose vocal style is an uncanny likeness for the immortal Robert Johnson has made a move to Greece. "Here I'm learning to play Rebetiko (the greek blues) with Baglamas (3 double strings instrument... )" says Felix who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of the music he loves.

Felix appeared at the 2004 Festival with Darryl Williams at the Bridge Inn as well as at the Shore Hotel Acoustic stage, the Queens Hotel and the Mines Tavern impressing everyone with his passion and commitment. Recently he has done some gigs with Smiling Jack Smith in Spain (see earlier news item to the right) but is now in Greece.

Apparently a typical rebetiko orchestra includes a bouzouki , baglamas and the guitar . Interestingly the bouzouki plays the most important role as it is, in this format, the primary solo instrument and typically accompanies the singer with licks and fills around the vocal phrasing. The role of the baglamas is usually to accompany and provides a strong sense of rhythm and harmony whilst the guitar also supports the harmony with chords but should also provide a moving bass line. The tapping of the players feet augments the rhythm.

The Baglamas

The baglamas is a tiny bouzouki - it is usually no longer than 40-60cm and apparently it was the instrument jailed musos preferred because they could easily hide it (ed. interesting). The tuning of the baglamas is an octave higher than the basic tuning of the bouzouki (D-A-D up an octave.) and is played with a plectrum. It is believed that the baglamas is an older instrument even than the lute and it's existence can be traced back to Byzantium.

Web site:
www.felixslim.sitio.net now in English too