5/5 A must for every Flamenco Enthusiast!
  by Lea Logan (Bay City, TX United States)
Finally, a book written in English that I can praise to my dance students! Without being too technical, Robin Totten explores this mysterious subject with humor and honor. The last people to write about Dance and Music this way were Ted Shawn and Lincoln Kirsten! This book is a World of fun and information and a loving tribute, without being preachy or dull! The CD is such a wonderful bonus!

5/5 CD and Book combination excellent introduction to Flamenco
  by Laura H. Diviney (Charlotte, NC United States)
The combination of book and CD gives the student of Flamenco an excellent introduction to this artform. The CD covers a wide variety of categories and interpretations of the music born of unique roots and influences. The book not only describes the history of Flamenco songs, dance and personalities, but details the musicology. By setting the artform in its social, political, economic, geographic, religious and psychological context, the selections on the cd take the listener to a deeper understanding of a rare (and becoming rarer) expression of the human spirit.

I enjoy this product very much and have shared it with others.

5/5 An introductory course in flamenco appreciation
  by Penumbra (Atlanta, GA USA)
Flamenco is all about the song and, outside Andalusia, the song is often the least understood or enjoyed part of a flamenco performance. With true flamenco, the guitarist exists to support the song; the dancer is there to physically express the song. In flamenco the song is paramount.

In "Song of the Outcasts" Robin Totton has put together an excellent introduction to flamenco for English speaking audiences. He has studied his subject and takes the time to clearly explain the history and significance of the various forms, and the roles of the performers. Best of all, there is a CD attached to the inside back cover that aurally illustrates what the author is talking about when he refers to various techniques and styles.

Chapters include: The Song, The Dance, The Guitar and Its Music, The Song Forms, Where is Flamenco Heading, Who Are the Gypsies of Andalusia?, and a nice Glossary of terms.

For those who enjoy a flamenco performance but don't know much about the art, this book is like taking a Learning Annex course in Flamenco 101. You won't learn to sing, dance or play the guitar - but you will come away with a greater understanding of, and appreciation for, those who do.

Recommended

5/5 Knowledge That Opens the Ears
  by Dr. Debra Jan Bibel (Oakland, CA USA)
With so few books on flamenco in English, we are fortunate to have Robin Totton's, for it is excellent in its insights and survey of flamenco's many forms, palos. A musician and scholar, he probes in turn the song, the dance, and the role and style of the guitar. He explains what makes a great rendition of each contributor. He clarifies the divergence in rhythmic accents of cantaor and guitarist in, for instance, the soleá, which had long challenged my grasp. Totton's observations on Spanish gypsy, or Caló, culture support our understanding of this powerful art form. We learn not to focus on the melody but on the words, the emotions, and the rhythm. As in classical music's leider or art song, the artist's emphasis on the songs' poems is key to a fine performance. A glossary, including gypsy words, in included. We are also treated to a CD of 76 minutes that provide examples of the various palos. Most are recorded and discussed by the author and the sound is very good. He incorporates historical aspects of the music and the gypsies themselves. Photographs of performers also enhance this study. Thus, the book is a wonderful and worthwhile "introduction." But it is so thorough that I wonder what an advance book would be! If you listen to flamenco and wish to know more, find and buy this book. It will open your ears.

3/5 Impressive research, thorough field work...
  by William Offutt (, US)
I am thoroughly impressed with his research and fieldwork on this book. Which quite honestly seemed to consist of hanging out with Andulusian Flamencos and drinking. More power to him, however, the reason I didn't rate this book that highly is the prevalent attitude that only someone 'born' to flamenco could ever actually play or be a part of flamenco. I didn't enjoy repeatedly being told that none but andulusians with gypsy ancestry should ever attempt this wonderful music. This attitude is quite prevalent among todays european flamencos and puts many people off from getting involved in this wonderful art form.

After all, why try and understand what you can never be a part of? If we're living in a world where the best rapper is white, the best golfer is black and the best flamenco guitarist is half portuguese instead of 'Gypsy on all four sides' Then I'm sure that this wonderful art form of interwoven song, dance and accompaniment can be learned and enjoyed by everyone, rather than a handful of people with a bit more exposure to it.

Okay book, could have been great without the authors somewhat obsequious attitude towards Andulusian Flamencos.