Carmen Pacheco Rodríguez (Born in 1951 in Linares, Jaén), better known by her stage nameCarmen Linares, is a Spanish flamenco singer.[1]
Performing in Warszawa during Cross Culture Festival in September 2011
She belongs to the best generation of flamenco artists with Paco de Lucía, Camarón, Enrique Morente, Jose Mercé, Manolo Sanlúcar and Tomatito and she is considered as flamenco legend. Carmen Linares has carved out a place for herself in contemporary Spanish musical culture.
Born in Linares, in the heart of Andalusia. Carmen Linares is known as one of the finest flamenco singers in Spain.
She moved to Madrid with her family in 1965. Her professional career began in the dance company of Carmen Mora, and she made her first recording in 1971.
She is also recognized as flamenco lead vocal reference and maestra for young generation like Miguel Poveda, Estrella Morente, Pitingo, and Arcangel. She’s conquered a privileged position in the genre of world music. Become one of flamenco music’s most critically acclaimed and international artists in history of flamenco.
In the 70s and 80s she worked in Madrid alongside artists such as Enrique Morente, Camarón, Carmen Mora, and the brothers Juan and Pepe Habichuela. That’s how it all began.
Over the last twenty years she has appeared in shows all over the world, with her performances of "Oasis Abierto", "Ensayo Flamenco", "Remembranzas", "Encuentro", and "Cu4tro". In these shows, Carmen played alongside artists such as Belén Maya, Jorge Pardo, Juan Manuel Cañizares, Gerardo Núñez, Rafaela Carrasco, Tomasito, Juan Carlos Romero, Miguel Poveda, Marina Heredia, Carles Benavent, Javier Barón, Tino Di Geraldo, etc.
“Carmen Linares’ voice has a unique expressive power.” NEW YORK TIMES
In season 2021/2022 she launches "Cantaora: 40 years of Flamenco". The most important singer of the current flamenco presents a unique show with the most significant songs of her artistic life.
This shows has an extraordinary setlist with antologic women styles, Federico García Lorca lyrics, tribute to Paco de Lucía and Enrique Morente and guest artists in every shows as Estrella Morente, Luz Casal, Miguel Poveda, Arcángel, Joan Manuel Serrat, and Silvia Pérez Cruz. Carmen’s voice seeks out intimacy to convey her flamenco expression in this selection of unique songs.
Carmen Linares (vocals), Salvador Gutiérrez, Eduardo Espín Pacheco (guitars), Pablo Suárez (piano), Josemi Garzón (double bass), Karo Sampela (percussion) Silvia Pere Cruz (featuring vocals) Arcangel (featuring vocals)
2011
Remembranzas
Salobre
Carmen Linares (vocals), Paco and Miguel Angel Cortes, Juan Carlos Romero, Salvador Gutiérrez, Eduardo Espín Pacheco and Paco Cruzado (guitars), Pablo Suárez (piano), Javier Baron (dance), Miguel Poveda (vocals) Live Record from Teatro de la Maestranza (Seville)
2007
Raíces y Alas
Salobre
Carmen Linares (vocals), Juan Carlos Romero (guitar), Tino Di Geraldo and Cepillo (percussion),
2002
Un ramito de Locura
Universal
Carmen Linares (vocals), Gerardo Núñez (guitar), Pablo Martín (double-bass), Cepillo (percussion)
1996
Antología de la mujer en el cante
Universal
Carmen Linares (vocals), Tomatito, Vicente Amigo, Moraito, Rafael Riqueni, Enrique de Melchor, Pepe and Juan Habichuela, Jose Antonio Rodríguez, Manolo Franco, Paco and Miguel Angel Cortes, (guitars).
1994
Desde el Alma - Cante flamenco en vivo
Network
Carmen Linares (vocals), Paco Cortés & Miguel Angel Cortés (guitar), Jesús Heredia (percussion
1993
Canciones Populares Antiguas de Lorca
Naive
Carmen Linares (vocals), Paco and Miguel Angel Cortes, (guitars), Javier Colina (double bass), Juan Parrilla (violin), Bernardo Parrilla (flute), José Antonio Galicia (percussion)
1991
La luna en el río
Naive
Carmen Linares (vocals), Paco Cortés, Pedro Sierra (guitar), Carles Benavent (bass), Jesús Heredia (percussion), Javier Barón (dance)
1988
Cantaora
Warner
Carmen Linares (vocals), Paco Cortés, Pedro Sierra (guitar), Carles Javier Barón (clapping and dance)
1984
Su cante
Hispavox
Carmen Linares (vocals), Pepe and Luis Habichuela (guitar), Ketama (clapping and percussion)